I looked for people going up to northland which I can ride with. Luckily, I found an add of someone going this way on the next day and looking for lifters! it was a german girl named Xira.
We bought food for the next 4 days and hit the road.
At the first day, we found an amazing and isolated bay with calm water and gorgeous golden sand. This was the first time I got into the ocean in NZ!
Matapouri bay
Xira in Matapouri bay
We stayed in wangarie and on the following day continued our way north. The special places on this day were a pastoral waterfall park and a crazy glow worm cave!
It's a very long cave in which the celling is covered with millions of tiny blue dots of light. Looks exactly like the sky on a clear night! This light is a method these special worms use to attract mosquitoes (their pray). Never seen anything like it!
Whangarie park
Whangarie park
On the next day, at the bay of islands, we took 2 kayaks and strolled around the islands - until it started raining... then, we paddled back to the backpackers and watched some movies.
After the bay of islands, we kept going north and visited a Mauri (native new zealanders) monument in an off-road bay. "when you finish climbing a small hill a stunning views revels..." brilliant coastal view! We had lunch there and hit the road again.
My last night up north was in Manganui - A small and quiet harbor town.
Matauri bay
Matauri bay
Matauri bay
On the next morning I took the too early 6 hours buss to Auckland (only one buss do this rout every day). Although my flight departed only on the next morning, I didn't even book a room. I had some bureaucracy stuff to handle and took a shuttle to the airport at the evening. Spent the night sleeping on a bench inside the international departures terminal - not too bad actually :)
On 27th of February at 7am I took off to Melbourne - Australia.
Many people told me about Australia being very different from New Zealand and it is very true. There are many reasons for why the two first days here were a bit difficult for me:
1. it's a new country with different culture
2. i haven't really figured out my travel route in Australia yet
3. every thing is damn expensive!
4. probably the most important one - i was totally alone here.
The first two days were devoted to getting to know Melbourne. It's said to be the most fun and impressive city in Australia and I wouldn't want to miss it just because I'm in a "new country shock". Plus, I wanted to have a raw plan of my trip and find out where I want to be and what I want to see in this huge island...
my initial trip rout - may change dramatically :)
Every thing began to be much better since the 3rd day. I've met many wonderful people and next thing I new, I had too many new friends - didn't have enough time to be with everyone :) The backpackers I'm staying at is totally cool and manage many special activities like free bike tour at the city and get this - bars night tour! for 3$ we got a funny guide taking us to 3 of the best bars in town and we had free beer and snacks!
I was also looking for a lonely planet book for Australia and got the ultimate deal! I traded it for my useless SIM card (it's useless for me now...).
I've also met will, a 19 years old Dutch guy (from Holland). We decided to hire a "wicked" camper-van for 8 days and tour the "great ocean road" and the Grampions national park on the way to Adelaide.
This camper-van is a 3 sits van with a bed and a kitchen inside! which means we'll save money on accommodation! awesome concept! We interviewed some people whom wanted to do the same trip, and invited Ceren(a 19 years old dutch girl) to join us. That will make the expenses even smaller!
So now I know what I want to do and have free time to stroll Melbourne's streets and go on site-seeing. It's a wonderful city! full of energy, nice people and fantastic night life!! The city center roads are full of trams (a very practical electric buss-train) and impressive old buildings which provide the city with a special futuristic - old fashion character.
the train station @ Flinders street
bars tour night
I visited the Melbourne museum, beach, the famous and amazingly designed library, some gardens and parks, the beautiful river which crosses the city, the tall observation deck and went to the casino twice - earned 45 dollars on the roulette!! :)
Molbourne from up abouve - observation deck view
i'm meeting so many people all the time now! it's so much fun! traveling is an outstanding experience!!!
tomorrow i'll take the camper-van and leave with the kids (Will and Ceren) to the great ocean road. it said to be one of the most beautiful coastal scenic roads. no doubt that's gonna be awesome :)
