February-March 2020
I flew to Auckland while my Land Roamer was being shipped from Jakarta to Melbourne.
Auckland (Māori: Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country, it has an urban population of about 1,470,100 (June 2020). The isthmus on which Auckland resides was first settled c. 1350 and was valued for its rich and fertile land. The Māori population in the area is estimated to have peaked at 20,000 before the arrival of Europeans.
Auckland is a diverse, multicultural and cosmopolitan city, home to the largest Polynesian population in the world.
The city's varied cultural institutions—such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Museum of Transport and Technology, and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki—and national historic sites, festivals, performing arts, and sports activities are significant tourist attractions.
Auckland's Central Business district is New Zealand's leading economic hub.
Being a boat lover, I really enjoyed the Wynyard Quarter and it's lively pubs.
I was surprised by its many ethnic groups: Maori, Western, Chinese and Indian.
A "vibrant" city, nicely nested on hills around a harbour area.
Mixing Victorian style buildings with modern daring architural skyscrappers.
Here is "Noah", a VERY small camper that I rented!
It has the "Self contained" certificte which enables me to camp in most places.
A self-contained vehicle must meet the NZS Self containment of motor caravans and caravans standard. You need to be able to live in it for 3 days without getting more water or dumping waste. The self-contained vehicle must have: a toilet, fresh water storage, waste water storage, and a a rubbish bin with a lid. A plumber or gasfitter needs to check if your vehicle meets the requirements. If it passes they’ll give you a warrant and sticker certification.
Pohutu Geyser is in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, Rotorua, in the North Island of New Zealand. Pohutu means "big splash" or "explosion".
The main geyser of the area, and the largest in New Zealand, it spurts up to twenty times per day and can reach heights of up to 30 metres (100 feet).
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the
North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range.
It is the world's southernmost capital of a sovereign state.
Wellington features a temperate maritime climate.
It is the world's windiest city by average wind speed!
Memories of the Past...
... Mixing with the Present!
Taking the ferry from Wellington to Picton, on the South island
On the road to visit South island, first destination:
Northern most point of the island.
Bus and boat ride to Milford Sound
.
The road to Milford was under repairs, private cars were not allowed to drive there,
I had to take a tour by coach.
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World!
To the Southern most point of the South island!
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand.
Archaeological evidence has indicated that people first settled in the Christchurch area in about 1250. Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand. Christchurch is one of five 'gateway cities' for Antarctic exploration, hosting Antarctic support bases for several nations.
The city suffered a series of earthquakes between September 2010 and January 2012, with the most destructive of them occurring at 12.51 p.m. on 22 February 2011, in which 185 people were killed and thousands of buildings across the city collapsed or suffered severe damage.
Back on the North island, dark clouds of Covid are getting darker, borders are being closed...
Wisely, I decide to abort my stay in New-Zealand, drive long days back to Auckland, return the camper early (loosing paid for days!) and fly to Melbourne on 19 March 2020.
The day after my arrival, Australia closses it's borders!
Wow... that was close...
Those few weeks in New Zealand where awesome!
Not too tired?
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Enjoy without moderation!
- End of this trip -
Next blog : Coronavirus strikes is here
