The first thing when I came back was unfortunately bad news... the weather forecast for the next weeks looked pretty bad on the south Island so that I had to cancel my flight in to Milford Sounds... after a bit more than a week relaxing and cleaning all my gear / cloths from the trip the weather looked pretty ok for the weekend and I flew with Lou and Josua to Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsular. Craig's parents have a house there where we stayed two nights and than we returned. It was a beautiful flight along the coast, lake Taupo and the mountain ridge of the North Island. 16 .2.2019
A view days later I headed to Mt Taranaki via Taupo and forgotten word highway. The first two days on my way to Taupo and new Playmouth it was raining the whole time...sadly. But at least I got one good day at Mt Taranaki so I made two big walks on to the Volcano with a awesome view. Mt Taranaki is so impressive, he stand alone ca 2500m in the sky. With a bit more than 1200m Climbing and 27km for the day I returned back to Napier. I will spend Christmas with Craig's Family and than on the 27.12 we will fly to Melbourne for New Year! 21.12.2019
Yesterday I had probably my last flights here in New Zealand. I made 3 last trips around Hawks Bay. I'm pretty sad, it was a good time. I made 30 hours of flying this year here in NZ! Hope to be back one day for flying. This country is so pretty from the Air. 23.12.2019
I had Christmas with Craig's Family, in new Zealand the celebrate Christmas at the 25 morning. Everyone get his presents and after they have breakfast together. For the next days I relaxed because I had the house for me.On the 27. Craig and i going to fly to Melbourne. Holiday!
26.12.2019
Back in Napier I had my last flight in New Zealand. 31 hours of flying in New Zealand. I will never forget all the many happy faces after all the scenic flights I did. The next days I packed everything and cleaned my room than I'm leaving Napier for longer. On the 06. of January I picked up Josua and we started our road trip. Josua joined me for ca 7 days on the way to Auckland. we drove via Taupo to Rotorua. Had a walk around the park with the geothermal areas. We found a nice camp on a lake. Our first night was really short because it was super windy... we got up early and I went to the Wakatoa geothermal wonderland. We headed further north via Tauranga to Whitianga. We stopped on the way at the Cathedral Cove. We Stayed the night at craig's parants place where we had a few Beers and played cards. The next two days we chilled in Port Jackson (north Coromandel Peninsular) on the Beach and made a small walk along the coast. At the 10.01 we had lunch in Coromandel and continued to Thames Kauaeranga National Park. Unfortunately the visitor center was already closed wen we arrived and on this camp ground you can otherwise only pay via the internet... there is no phone connection in the national park... so we where just on the way out to drive probably 25km back when we luckily met a ranger, who took our money. yesterday I got up early to do the pinnacle walk. It's supposed do take around 6 hours, so I started early but I did it in 3 1/2hr. I had nice view over the Coromandel peninsular. It was super hot because most of the time I walked in the bush without wind. In the evening we arrived already in Auckland. A bit Strange hostel but alright. We went in to town and had a few beers. Today i booked flight back to Germany... :( and downloaded the Pictures from the last days. The rest of the day we spend in the hostel and chill. 12.01.2020
At the 13. I had to say goodbye to Josua, and drove north to a very small waterfall.... and than to the Waipo Cave to see glowworms, I spend 4 hours in the cave to take a good picture, it was bit hard because it was so busy and so many people with there torch's made to much light. But there was a lot of glowworms. The night I Camped on a very nice camp close to the beach where I had a evening walk on the beach. On 14. I got up late and drove to Wangarei, bought cutlery and made grocery's for the next days, Made a nice small walk to a “lighthouse” and back. Stay the night on a free camp on the beach. Lucky I've been early because it was Super busy. Had again a Walk on the beach, where I found hundreds of a Live Shells. That was super cool haven't seen something like that before. At the 15.01 the weather was cloudy and bit rainy, so I stayed the day in Paihia in a hostel to make laundry. Walked around the town and had a burger and a beer in the evening. The 16. I visited the Harura falls and the Rainbow falls witch was lovely. From there I got already pretty far north to the Kerikeri Peninsular beach where I had lunch. After I made small steep walk to a hill with a beautiful view over the peninsular and the beach. The water is so turquoise blue its like a dream. I Stayed the night at the top of the peninsular in a camp in a bay. In the evening I had a walk on the beach and saw a french couple that got stuck in the sand. Lucky for them they got helped by a big Maori family who pushed them out. The 17.01 is the day for New Zealand's Northers Point. On the way I stopped in Kaitaia for grocery and headed north to cape Reinga. Took a few pictures and went to the camp. New Zealand's northers camp. Made 2 small parts of walks with nice view over the bay and the cliffs and the light house. Late in the night I drove up to the lighthouse again and took some pictures with stars and the Milkyway. Its so beautiful. Up there is no light pollution so you can see the Milkyway so clear and bright. Unfortunately there was also 100000 mosquito that try to suck all my blood out of me so I didn't stayed long. 18. I drove again to the lighthouse because today the weather was much better, nice blue sky. After I had a walk on the giant sand dune and from there I continued already further south. Stopped for ca 1 hour on a beautiful beach in the sun. before I stopped on a lovely small camp (private) on the 90 miles beach. Had a walk on the beach and a shower. Close by was a hill where I watched the sunset. The 19. I wanted to stay longer but I don't have more food... so I drove south to Kaitaia to go shopping. From there I visited the southern end of the 90 miles beach. watched a bit of Netflix in the shade and drove further south via scenic rout. Stopped on a lookout to another giant sand dune and free camped the night on the beach. 20th I stopped at a Giant tree. Tane Muhuta is 50m high and 13m thick, massive. After I made a small walk on the beach and spend the rest of the day at the lake with turquoise blue water, in the evening I was looking for a sleeping place and got nearly stuck on the beach in very soft sand... luckily I just got out and found a spot. 21th I started the day with a small lookout on a steep 200m high hill by Dargaville. from there I drove to Auckland lookout a nice place in the mountains west of Auckland. From there it was just a short way down to Piha and the lion Rock, where i walked around the beach. But I didn't liked it really it was pretty busy here because it's Auckland's closes beach. I booked for 3 nights a hostel in Auckland to relax a bit. yesterday I walked up Mt Eden with good view over the city skyline, and after I walked around the city CBD. Today i slept in and walked to the cinema, i watched Bad boys in Imax Theater. And after I chilled for the rest of the day in the Hostel. 23.01.2020
on the 24th I drove to the Airport where they have a nice spotter point close to the runway.I spend the whole day there....in the evening I slept on a free camp on the way to Hamilton. The 25.I went to a shopping center in Hamilton to figure out what the plan was for the next days.. weeks... I wanted to go to Raglan but everything is booked... so I headed in the evening east... free camping in Te Ahroa. 26.01 I got up early for a nice bush walk up to the highest mountain in the area, 950m altitude in 4 1/2hr, awesome view over the clouds and the area. Back in town I had a shower and chilled in a small park for the rest of the day. The Weather is really good to me. Its Sunny and hot everyday. 27 I continued east and made a nice walk trough a old gold mine and some waterfalls, visit the old gold mine in Waihi and spend the rest of the day on the beach in Wangamata. I booked I Airbnb for 4 nights in Tauranga because also here in Wangamata everything else is booked... 28th I spent the whole day watching Netflix and chill. washed my cloths and made grocery. finally some good and different food! Yesterday and Today not much different... washed again cloths and loaded all battery's, downloaded all pictures from the cameras and got the Blog up to Date. 30.01.2020
31.01 I left the AirBnB to make the Mt Maunganui walk. Beautiful view over the bay and the city. Most of the day I spend in a shopping center with air condition. Outside temperature was 35C... in the evening I drove back and had a long walk on the beach. Late in the night I continued close to the blue springs where I made the walk on the next day. 2 ½ hr in the morning along the river to the spring. The water was turquoise blue and clear. After I drove 5 hours to Whakatane. Made grocery for the next days and refueled the car. Had a small walk around the town and slept the night on a Holiday park. At the 02.02 I stopped on a lookout to see white island but unfortunately it was to dizzy... I drove along the coast to the east cape. One of the most beautiful street in new Zealand for me. I stopped at the East cape lighthouse for the walk and after I continued to Tolaga Bay. At the 03.02 I got up at 6 o'clock to walk up on the cooks cove walk to see the sunrise. A beautiful walk to the point where captain cook landed and first time discovered new Zealand. From here it got me further south via Gisborne to Lake Waikaremoana. Stayed the night on a lovely free camp right on the lake. The next morning I started early to do the first part of the Great walk. 16Km and 700m altitude got me to a point with a stunning view over the lake. Later I made another short walk with a view over the lake from the other side. The rest of the day I spend again in the car with a long drive. It brought me via Napier to Taupo. Where I stayed in a nice Hostel. The 05th was a chill day. Relaxing in the hostel with a comfortable bed and internet. In the evening I walked a bit around. On the 06th I made the Mt Tauhara walk in Taupo. 500M high with view over lake Taupo and in the distance Tongariro. The rest of the day I spend on the Airport watching planes and the skydiver. And yesterday I went to the Airport again to do the 18500ft skydive! I got a nice jumpsuit and just a few minuts after arriving I got Airborne. Awesome weather to do a skydive. I realized the second time is much relaxed than the first time. I enjoyed the view and the free fall even more! I can just tell everyone to do it one day. Today the weather is not that good so again a chill day and preparing everything for the Tongariro Crossing tomorrow. 08.02.2020
09.02 The Tongariro crossing. we got up at 0500 am and after a short breakfast we went to the Car park at the Tongariro. From there we got the shuttle service to the Start point for the walk. After 1 ½ hr we got our first steep climb on the Vulcan. We walked along the crater and had another steep climb to the top. Amazing view over Tongariro. You can see still it is a active Vulcan. On Some places are hot steam is coming out of the ground. After a very steep and slippery down part we stopped at a small lake (blue Lake) with view over the area around. We kept walking along the north crater to the point where we started walking already downhill. Another 2 hours to return to the car park trough rocky landscape and forest like topical New Zealand. In total it took us 7 hours for this awesome walk. Beautiful and different. Volcanic landscape is so different. In the evening we got pizza to celebrated the walk and later we played card's with the Australians from our room.
10.02 at midday I went to the Huka falls in Taupo. It was a 6km walk from the hostel. Its more a big rapid than a water fall... but still nice. Clear and blue water in the river color the (falls) in turquoise blue. After I walked back I chilled a bit in the hostel and went down to the lake front to try a time laps video from Tongariro at sunset.
11.02 Netflix day and got everything ready for the next day. I'm going to climb the Mt Ruapehu summit to 2600m the highest peak on the north island.
yesterday I took my roommates to Tongariro and from there I drove up to the Wakapapa ski area in 1500m from here I started the hike up the mountain. On this (track) is not rally a track. You just climb up where is it okey. Its a Vulcan so its a lot of loos rocks, stones, gravel and sand with up to 60% bank. In around 2400m I turned unfortunately around because I took to long to climb up there. And it got super cold, I think it was around 0C and light wind. The clouds got closer too and I couldn't see much. But I got still a awesome view and made 900m altitude. I stopped at the information center at wakakapapa and watched a interesting documentary about new Zealand Vulcan's. After I picked the others up and we drove back to Taupo. Where I went to the hot springs to chilled in warm water to relax.
Today I'm relaxing again...i copied all pictures to my hard drives.
13.02.2020
In the evening of the 13 I went to the hot-springs with my room mates and chilled in the hot water for hours... we watched the stars and talked about everything and nothing. the 14 I needed to change rooms and I got some nice new roommates. In the evening I went to a pub with the Australians to have a few Beer to say goodbye. 15 I got up and wanted to go to a market here in Taupo but unfortunately this weekend it was just a Corvet car show...nice to see but not what I had planned. The rest of the day I chilled and watched Netflix. On the 16 I brought another group to Tongariro. I made a walk with waterfall from Wakapapa. I continued further the walk to 2 crater lakes with a amazing view over Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu. In the evening again to the Hot springs. And the same the next days... chill and hot-springs in the Evening. One whole week every day at the hot-springs. 20. I made a small walk around the town and drove to Napier. Parked at the water front and had a walk along the beach. Chill... 21 spent the day at the Airport watching arrivals for Art Deco festival, had a chat with the pilots and enjoyed the good weather. Yesterday I went in to town and watched the cars in the city and the Airshow from the Art Deco Festival. Later I drove to the airport again to see the P51 in action. Today I spent again the morning at the Airport had a look in to the DC3. Beautiful old plane. Would like to fly one of them... than moved in to my Hostel in Napier. The last days I slept in the car... 23.02.2020
24.02 I packed my trolley got rid of all the stuff I can't take. Had a walk on the beach and drove to Craig's in the evening. Had dinner and a chat with his Family. Time to say goodbye.
next day was departure Day... I'm was so nervous that I woke up early in the morning... had a last walk along the marine parade in Napier. Bought last souvenirs and drove to Craig to bring him the car. Craig's bother was so kindly to bring me to the Airport. Bye Bye Napier! It was a hell of a time. Nearly 8 months that I spent in Hawks Bay, Flying, Working and living. My new Home on the Other side of the World. Right on time the plane toke of and I was on the way to Germany...
26.02 after a 17 hours flight from Auckland and a 7 hours flight from Dubai I touched down in Frankfurt! my heart feels heavy...
2 Years 2 Months and 16 Days after I left... 115 Weeks or 808 Days abroad. The Time of my life! I meet so many lovely people. Thanks to all of you to share this amazing time with me. And I saw so much beautiful places. Claimed high mountains and dived in to the blue ocean. Relaxed on white sand beach or got stressed at work. From -16 to +47C and from weeks without rain to 5 days heavy rain.
I drove ca. 42500Km... on straight streets to the horizon and curved way's up in the Mountains.
I had 21 flights with 81300km of distance.
I've been to 5 country's
I walked around. 8000 km from sand beach via City's to the Mount Everest Base-camp
I made around 86.000 pictures and Videos with 1.07 TB of Data.
I've been to an uncountable number of National Parks and saw the sweetest and the wildest Animals on this planet.
I brought my body to the furthest limits I could do so far.
I fought against my biggest fear's and won!
And most important, I found myself!
26 after I got out of the terminal I took the train to Karlsruhe and surprised Janina. :)
we spent a few day's together until I continued to Frankfurt on the 02.03.
I got up early and took the train to Doris and Christian. Had a few days in Frankfurt visited my grandma and headed north to Simon on the 05.03
Big surprise here to! With the right friends two years feels like you left yesterday. :) Yesterday the 06 I had a meeting with my sister to surprise my parents. I took the train to Kiel and spent the evening at my parents house. Biggest and best surprise so far. Nobody realized something. 08.03.2020
And now. Now I'm sitting on my old computer writing this last words for this Adventure and my heard feels so heavy. Tear's falling... I'm “Home” but I'm not. I can feel all this stuff from my self-storage is hanging on me, try's to drown my deep in the ocean of belongings. I'm waking up and thinking it was all a dream. To short. So unreal.
So far away. I'm watching thousands of pictures and can not believe what I did.
I'm feeling sick “homesick” to the World. See you on my next Journey!
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