Views en Route
Oceania
The Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki
When you take the Intercity bus up the West coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the bus stops just south of Punakaiki for 20-odd minutes. One might think it’s weird that the bus simply takes a break in this small village, but actually, there is a reason behind the madness. The break doesn’t just give … Continue reading
Walking on an Active Volcano
When I was travelling around New Zealand I just knew I had to visit White Island, which is an active volcanic island about 48 kilometres off the coast of the North Island. I took a tour from Whakatane and the boat trip out to the island was roughly 1.5 hours long. But it felt so … Continue reading
Staying in a Samoan Beach Fale
When I say paradise you probably won’t be thinking a wee hut with no walls with just a mattress on the floor. But I do. In fact, I believe the only way to get the ultimate Samoan experience is by staying in a beach fale. A beach fale (pronounced fah-leh) is an oval or round shaped … Continue reading
Rugby-Ignorant Foreigner at an All Blacks Game
The first game of the Tri Nations rugby season of 2009 started in Auckland. The All Blacks versus the Wallabies. New Zealand versus Australia. This was going to be huge and as part of my New Zealand experience I had to go. I generally don’t like sports. Like, at all. But for some reason I can watch … Continue reading
Flying Coconuts
When my boyfriend read my post about the boiling mud at Wai-O-Tapu and how rocks would fly out again if thrown in, he instantly said “I wanna try that”. The thing is, it could potentially kill a person, so maybe it’s not the best idea ever. But then I got to think of another travel … Continue reading
A Geothermal Wonderland
The first thing you notice is the smell. It’s starts from the second you enter the city of Rotorua and it will follow you until you leave. It’s kind of like bad eggs. That said, I don’t think it’s really that bad and it’s definitely something you quickly get used to, mainly because there is … Continue reading
Culture Shock in Samoa
When I was in New Zealand I met a girl who wanted to visit the pacific islands. She asked me if I wanted to go with her to Samoa and I instantly said yes. This was not part of my plan at all. I didn’t know anything about this Samoa or even where it was. I … Continue reading
Where the Spirits Leap into the Underworld
According to Maori myth, when a person dies their spirit will travel all the way to Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) and then leap off into the underworld. This is the reason why this place is the most sacred of all in the country for the Maori people. This is also the reason why you shouldn’t … Continue reading
On the Top of Mount Sunday
Okay, I admit it. I’m a bit of a Lord of the Rings geek. Well, I like the movies more than the books to be honest. And why? Besides the story and great CGI, the landscape in the movies is gorgeous. And having visited several filming locations around New Zealand, like the ones around Queenstown … Continue reading
The Best Way to Roll Down a Hill
Zorbing is a somewhat bizarre New Zealand invention. Basically, you take a giant plastic sphere, stick in a person or two, maybe add some water and then push it downhill. Sounds fun? The first Zorbing site opened in Rotorua, New Zealand in 1995 and since then it’s become a popular attraction for all visitors (and … Continue reading
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