After 4 months I finally decided to write the story behind my big trip. You might already saw couple of pictures and small stories, but now I will tell you the whole. I hope you are prepared, this won’t be the average post.
If you ever spoke with me, you probably know New Zealand was my dream since I woke up one day in England- it was 4,5- 5 years ago – and it was time to make my dream come true. I booked a ticket, packed my luggage and headed to Auckland on 20th February with a tourist visa (long story short I didn’t want to come winter to winter if I get the working holiday visa- details later). I have to say it was not a smooth journey to get here. My first flight was delayed 3 hours. In Istanbul I had to run to catch my connection; luckily it was delayed as well, but still was manageable to catch my 3rd flight from Kuala Lumpur. I have to say I was not the calmest person in the world. I made it to Kuala Lumpur, get on the plane than they told me the maintenance check was not done so we have to change plane. I was happily go to the other terminal and get on another flight as we know… Malaysian airline still winning the hide and seek competition.
As soon as I landed in Auckland -it was on the 22nd February- and was waiting for my luggage I had the feeling it didn’t make it here. And I was right. My big luggage was not running fast enough in Istanbul, so it caught the flight next day. I was quite lucky, it made it to Auckland next day, however it was broken by the lock.
I didn’t make any big plans before I arrived, only booked a room in Auckland for 2 weeks. I bought a sim card and was ready for the big adventure. I met with my friends from Malta and also met some amazing people who gave me inspiration and tips where to go and what to see. I made the maximum out of Auckland, had a day trip to Coromandel, been on a wine tasting tour in Waiheke island, went on a whale watching tour (did not see any whales but saw a couple of dolphin calf).
Everybody who I met was quite sure I will be back in Auckland, and well they were right, as I am writing my blog right now in Auckland. There is plenty to do around here, but I promise I will have another blogpost with all the to do’s.
On my second week I decided my next stop will be Tauranga – I did check this town out when I was back home and I really liked it. I stayed there 2 weeks and had an amazing time. I realized after 4 days, that the buses not really running so often so I was ready to buy a car. I was checking a lot of websites and one day I saw a really nice car on auction, so I started to bid in the last 20 mins – and I won! I went back to Auckland next day to pick up the car and drove back to Tauranga. I think the actual big adventure start from this day as I had 100% freedom from now on. I visited as many places as I could: Mt Maunganui, McLaren falls, Waihi beach, Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu, Wairere falls etc… Most important that I met amazing people here as well, made a lot of friends and catch up with some who I met in Auckland before.
I saw a lot of inspiring vans all around so I knew I would like to have a car which I can transform into a moving bed, it was just matter of the time when I can start it. Well, I didn’t have to wait so long. My next stop was Napier, okay, actually Haumoana. As soon as I arrived to the Airbnb, I saw a lot of pallet and I knew it would be just perfect as a base of my bed in the car. So literally my first question was about the accommodation if I can use some of the pallets. People are soooo nice here, the answer was yes. The host was even helping me with measuring and cutting. I draw 3 different bed-type and we choose the most ideal and started to cut the pieces. I don’t know what the salesman thought of me when I went to Mitre10 and asked for a handsaw and sandpaper. 😀 Finally I was ready to be a carpenter which I always wanted to be. The wood was cut and smoothed so I started to paint the pieces. Also I tried to see as much of the area as I could – so I went for a wine tasting 😀 If you are in the area you have to visit Shine falls, that is one of the most beautiful I saw in the north island.
I only spent 4-5 days here, I realized I need to speed up a bit if I would like to see and do as much as I can, so I headed to Taupo from Napier. I spent another 4 days here, went sailing in the lake, which is actually the second biggest volcano lake in the earth. The biggest experience so far was in Waitomo, the lost world tour, which is a 4 hours caving tour. It starts with a 100 meter long rope, on which you need to let yourself down and finish with a 30 meter tall ladder, where you need to climb up. With acrophobia and claustrophobia this tour is not the best idea, but I always try to face my fears so it was a big challenge for me – and I am quite proud I made it. In Taupo I stayed at very nice lady home and luckily she let me to finish my painting in the garden. Also she had a sewing machine so I was able to make the curtains in the car. As I can remember, by this time I already named my car to Sullivan – thank you for everybody who voted to this name, still fit 100%.
So Sullivan was getting ready and I was preparing myself as well for the first camping experience. But before that I had my last stop on the north island, which was Wellington.
I spent 4 days here as well. I think you can guess what was the first thing when I arrived to Wellington… I asked the host if they have an electric drill so I can finish the base of the bed – and they had! So I screwed the pieces together and bought a nice mattress. The host was so nice, she gave me some pillows and cutlery so literally I was ready for the south island. No more airbnbs no more pre-booked accommodation, no more “for sure there will be cats at the house”, I just went with the flow.
Yes, I know, I have to say a crazy cat woman always a crazy cat woman. I booked all airbnbs with cats. 😀
On the 4th April me and Sullivan got on the ferry and headed to the South island with tears in my eyes, but I really hoped I will be back to the North island one day. I was not sure what is waiting for me in the South island, but it was more than I could ever expected…
I would like to say here as well a big thank you to all who helped me and encouraged me all along my journey through the north island. I promise you won’t need to wait another 4 months for the South Island story.
And last but not least, please meet Sullivan, the Toyota Avensis, which is now my moving home. We traveled more than 10000km together, so I can say we are one thing by now and I am quite proud of the result of the bed I made. Had the best sleeps ever in Sulli, but I will tell our big camping story in the South island post.
To be continued…
Evi around the world 