After three years we came back to New Zealand to explore the Northern and Southern Islands by ourselfs. The trip started with abseiling in Waitomo's deepest cave in over a hundred meters to the bottom of Lost World. Still trembling and fully excited from this adventure we rafted through Waitomos Glowworm Caves in pure darkness and thrilling narrow tunnels. Next morning we made our way through the Tongariro National Park and along Lake Rotopounamu before flying from Wellington to Queenstown on the South Island.
There we climbed Queentown's local summit Ben Lomond to accustom ourselfs to steep ascents on upcoming Routeburn and Keppler tacks, went on a Jetboat ride through narrow gorges and enjoyed The Fergburger for a couple of times. Equiped with yummy foods and tents we started our way over the Saddle Pass on the Routeburn track. These breathtaking views have burned into our memory ever since. On our rest day we went to Milford Sound, again not lucky with the weather we could only image the steep mountains climbing along the fiord. Continuing to the Keppler track we have been so lucky with our route plans. Conversely, Keppler and other tracks such as Routeburn and Milford were closed due to heavy winds and rain. The ridge on Keppler track between Iris Burn and Luxmore hut was still windy but we could enjoy stunning views over mountains and valleys, enlightened by bright sunbeams. Tired but happy we arrived in Queenstown and went back to the North island. In Rotura we learned much about Maori culture, visited smoking geysirs and hot mud springs.
Saying farwell to our friend Andrej we continued our tour to New Plymouth, where Mount Taranaki resisted to be climbed. Strong winds and rain-soaked clouds stopped us so we enjoyed a sunny day walking along wide beaches. Our tour continued to Raglan where we climbed Mount Karioi, drove around Coromandel island and enjoyed a morning walk to Cathedral Cove. Our last days we spent in Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Still not willing to rest and curious of exploring the farest north of New Zealand we went to Cape Reinga, where Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean fight each other with tearing waves. Huge sand dunes along the endless and monotonous path invited us to slide down with a sand board.