Minuses: none really. It’s expensive, from getting here to being here, but it’s also worth every penny. If renting a car or a camper van, be careful on the roads, they are narrow and winding, especially if you are not used to driving on the left side, and also take the long distances into the account, the drive always looks much longer than it seems on the map.
Pluses: as they say here, it’s awesome.
- The people: nice, fun, laid back. And contrary to some New Zealanders I met before (no names), they speak.
- The food and the wine.
- The scenery. I have seen landscapes so very different to everything I could have imagined, and so very diverse from north to south.
- A major plus for the ladies: rugby and a huge number of rugby players. OK, I was coming from Asia, so it had been a while since I had seen a handsome man, but the Kiwis are seriously fit. Like, a lot.
For your convenience, my somewhat chaotic 5 weeks itinerary in New Zealand
Day 1 – 3: Auckland, Piha Beach, getting over the jet lag
Day 4 – 6: Queesntown, Milford sound, flight to Wellington
Day 7: Wellington to New Plymouth (car)
Day 8: Hiking around Mt. Taranaki, drive to Taupo on Forgotten Highway
Day 9-10: Napier
Day 11: Drive to Rotorua, visit to Wai-O-Tapu
Day 12 – 14: Coromandel
Day 15: back to Auckland
Day 16 – 18: Whangarei & Northland
Day 19 – 21: Auckland
Day 22 – 23: Waiheke Island
Day 24: Rafting Wairoa river
Day 25: Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Day 26-27: Wellington
Day 28: Invercargill
Day 29 – 31: Raikura trail (Steward Island)
Day 32 – 35: Christchurch
Day 36: Auckland and off
Kacenka on the road 
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