I rented a own car again as my german travel buddies took another route. At the eastcoast of the South Island I’ve spotted several seals, very close while they are sleeping at the beach or swimming next to me at the coast. And some penguins at Penguin Place, a conservative reserve at Otago Peninsula. Now I’m already in Christchurch to get my flight to Melbourne.

I never made so many walks in my entire life as here in New Zealand. Even if it’s cloudy weather, it’s an amazing nature experience and reaching the top is always such a good feeling.

I’m still traveling across New Zealand with Anni and Dan, still sleeping in the car and every day I’m once more amazed about the gigantic scenery here, half a world away.

Two days ago we made the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track. With its 19,4 km it is a challenging day walk, but the magnificent views are really worth it.

Since a few days I’m traveling with a couple from Germany I’ve met in Auckland. They rented a car and now we take the same route and explore New Zealand’s natural spectacles together.

Admittedly, New Zealand and I – this was no love at first sight. In my opinion, the people are rather reserved, everything is expensive and I can’t afford a private room, and I had a pesky flu. I was a bit bitchy. I rented a car, started a road trip and left Auckland behind me. Quickly I neglected my travel book and got wonderfully lost. Now I don’t care that I’m sleeping in my car since 4 nights, that I eat unhealthy convenience food “cooked” in a camping kitchen or a fast food restaurant and that I look completely messy. Every morning when the sunrise wakes me up I can’t wait for the next amazing places I will discover today. And every evening I can’t close my eyes because I can’t stop watching this breathtaking starlight sky.

Auckland was my first destination here in New Zealand – finally I’m half a world away from Germany. It’s a very British city with a very comfortable climate. “Comfortable” might be the best description of Auckland at all – it’s cozy, clean, a bit bourgeois and not that exciting.