The last update is already a long time ago.
After the first WWOOFing place in Auckland (chatswood) I started traveling and the time was
flying. Here the update, I’ll put it in a sort of timeline;)
Auckland
During the 80ties my father lived in New Zealand for three years, in Te Kuitie. A family who he became good friends with lives here in New Zealand. The daughter off this family (Sonja) lifes with her family in Auckland and they pick me up to show more off the city! Further I could join some family gatherings and I got to know really friendly people! Great time!
- WWOOFing, chatswood
- Visit Sonja, Jeroen, Liam and
Ryan, touring auckland.
- Longsbay (East coast)
- Muruway beach (West coast)
- Birthday Brendan (brother Sonja)
- Pick up by Manus and Janice
 |
3. Longsbay
 |
| 4. Muruway beach |
|
 |
| 2. Having dinner with the Family, thank you guys for the great time!! |
Auckland-Wellsford
From Auckland I can drive with Manus and Janice up north (the parents off that family my father became friends with). First we visit Boudewijn a brother off Manus in Wellsford and help over there in the garden and we enjoy the garden.
- Visit place Boudewijn
- Helping with the pond, enjoying
the garden
 |
| 1. Preparing for a lunch outside (Manus, Boudewijn, Janice) |
 |
| 1. And I really like the style off Boudewijns place! |
Wellsford-Rotorua
From Wellsford we drive to Rotorua to the house off Manus and Janice. But before arriving at the house we stop in the centre off Rotorua. A centre of Maori culture and a centre off geothermal activity.
- Passing through Rotorua, first
encounter with the Maori culture.
- Arrival house Manus and Janice
- Okere Falls (populair rafting river)
- Hamarana springs (cristal clear water upwelling from a greath depth)
- Bezoek Wai-o-Tapu (thermal park)
- Kerosin Creek (a hot water creek)
 |
| 1. With Manus in front off a Marae in Rotorua (meeting house off the Maori) |
 |
| 5. In geothermal wonderland, wai-o-tapu |
Rotorua-Hamilton
From Rotorua I travel to Hamilton. Not a very touristic place, but intersting to visit. Talking to some exchange students I find out that Hamilton is quite a big trade and economical center. Further interesting to see are the rowers at the Waikoto river and the difference between the two main groups. The traditional Maori boats with the Moari rowers and the 'traditional' britisch style rowers.
- Waikato River
- Hamilton botanical gardens
 |
| 1. the Waikato river |
 |
| 2. Hamilton Botanical Gardens |
Hamilton-Waitomo-Te Kuitie
From Hamilton I travel to Waitomo, famous off its glowworm caves. Here I stay at a hostel with a view at the rolling hills (karst mountains). I visit not the main cave but two caves further away in the hills. The guide during that tour can tell many intersting things about the cave life. Its an awesome guy who gives me some advice about finding work with the department of conservation (DOC) here in New Zealand.
Further I visit Te Kuitie. The place where my father mainly lived during his years in New Zealand. While making pictures an older man walks to me and asks intested why I make pictures off that specific place. After telling the story he invites me to walk together the route my father biked to his work (the primary school) in Te Kuitie. Very special afternoon!
- Spellbount glowworm cave tour
- Enjoying the hostel in Waitomo
- Visit Te Kuitie
 |
| 1. Ready to enter the cave;) |
 |
| 2. The rolling hills around Waitomo |
 |
| 3. Visiting Te Kuitie, the school where my dad worked |
