After the heli flight we had a relaxing afternoon at Ohope – before the next day’s long drive.

Today we drove to Whakatane to do one of the most exciting things I ever did in my life: a helicopter flight to White Island, an island about 50km across the sea. It is an active volcano with steam and gas vents, a lake full of acid, boiling pods, sulphur everywhere! Spectacular, an absolute must!

The Hidden Valley can only be reached by boat – there are springs, little geysers, mud pots, a hot pool within a cave.

This is my bedroom view to Lake Rotorua in the morning! Hopefully the weather will stay this way!

One main reason to come back to New Zealand was Waimangu, a spectacular geothermal valley which appeared after the big volcano eruption in 1889. A gem on this planet! We got some rain showers, but then the sun came out. Go there!!! It’s a bit south from Rotorua on SH 5.

After the hike we relaxed at the white sanded Opoutere Beach which can be found behind large pine trees. A long beach – and almost nobody was there!

The falls are 50m high and consist of two cascades. You can reach them after a 75 minutes walk into Wentworth Valley!

Driving up the west coast of the beautiful Coromandel peninsula, then Rapaura water gardens, takimg a steep and winding gravel road shortcut to the east coast to Hot Water Beach (giving us cold water mist) finally arriving at Whangamata.

Auckland is the start for most New Zealand trips. No car yet, since we’d probably fall asleep immediately! Approaching, Sky tower and our hotel, Spirit of New Zealand!

For a short stop we are now in Melbourne on a misty morning, sun’s coming out. Didn’t sleep too much as usual. Taking a shower and a getting some coffe 😉