Views en Route
New Zealand
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
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
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
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
Why Not Jump off a Bridge?
I went down to the cafe to get breakfast and read my book. I had been stuck in Queenstown for about a week. Well, not really stuck. But it had been raining constantly for about a week and I had decided to wait it out and relax. I mean, it had to clear up eventually … Continue reading
In a Dream-Like State at Lake Tekapo
Have you ever looked at a picture thinking “It’s so fake. There’s no way this looks like that in reality”? Well that’s what Lake Tekapo is like. Except, you’re not really looking at a picture, but through your own eyes. And still, I couldn’t help think I might be in a dream or my vision … Continue reading
3 Places I Wish I had Spent More Time
It’s impossible to see everything, so when I travel I decide what’s most important for me to see and make a wee list to tick off in my head. But not always does my wishes adds up with what is actually happens. Most of the time I’m happy that I can say that I did … Continue reading
Stay updated
