The first month of my journey is over. I've witnessed many things, spent nights sleeping in my car, and been bothered by numerous sand flies. Now I want to conclude my conclusion.
Table of Contents
What happened in the fourth week?
As stated in my last Blog I stayed in Napier and Hastings during the Labour Weekend. Let’s start with Napier.
Relax with a stroll on the beach or a brief walk in the city after enjoying the Ballet or Theater, and complete your day with a glass of chardonnay at a local restaurant. Napier is the first city where you can feel the flair of Italy, Greece, or Croatia. Even though the city is separated from a useless one-way street and ugly buildings are shunting the image. Nonetheless, the houses have an architectural theme and the ugly buildings are not reaching into the sky. The first village I can recommend.
This doesn't apply to Hastings, though. It's a business district laid out like a roaster, with no standout features and I refuse to write any more about it.
I stayed at an abandoned campground for the rest of the week until Friday. Maybe it got destroyed during the cyclone in 2023. It's regrettable because I can feel a calming atmosphere from it.
The camp kitchen
Since I'm waiting for a job opportunity and can't do anything at my camp, I've been using my time to practice my horn and read extensively (over 900 pages). This weekend, I'm going to Tongariro National Park for the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike.
Summary and highlights
After a disappointed start in Auckland I travelled up north. You must admit, the Northlands got one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, my favorite is Smuggler’s Bay.
The solitude lighthouse in the surge, at the peak of the north, is a fantastic reward after a long drive. On the way back, giant sand dunes on the horizon are towering up and if the temperature is alright you can slip through the slippery wet at 90 Mile Beach (even though it’s only 90 km), before driving along the inferior west coast; the east coast was better.
As the third week starts, you traverse magical gardens and your own journey into the unknown may commence in Hobbiton.
The Party Tree in Hobbiton
At night, you explore dark caves illuminated only by bioluminescent insects. During the next sunrise, you'll immerse yourself in the ancient realms of the Maori and feel the immense power of ancient times. Or maybe you conclude the day with a glass of Chardonnay and breath in the last remains of peace before the storms…
Maybe you these are some side effects from the excessive reading or I’m just bored. It is what it is and we’re coming to my future and first conclusion.
Future and first conclusion
I was fortunate enough to get an invitation to a job interview, during writing this text; unfortunately after I booked my hostel and shuttle in the national park… The interview is planned on Friday in Rotorua, which is approximately 4 driving hours from my camp. Hopefully, I can reschedule it for Monday.
My initial plan was to visit Wellington after the hike and taking aim for the south island. Right now, I don’t know how everything works out, therefore we will jump to my conclusion.
Were my expectations of New Zealand fulfilled?
I had different expectations, but my main reason for traveling was nature, which is now fulfilled. I was genuinely surprised by the number of beaches. About the cities, we don’t want to talk about them. Maybe I’m spoiled because of the cities in Europe, but Auckland and all the others really shocked me negatively. Napier is the only exception. Auckland, the metropolis, is simply unappealing, and the other villages have a very rough appearance.
Thus, my conclusion is that you should visit New Zealand for its breathtaking nature, not its cities.
It's not revolutionary, but perhaps my opinion on cities will change after visiting Wellington, Queenstown, or Christchurch.
