Auckland and Around - travel diary

In just three hours of flight we reached Auckland, the most populated city in all of New Zealand. A medium-sized airport welcomed us, with a very familiar atmosphere: they even offered us coffee. After completing the usual formalities, we set about finding accommodation. To our surprise it wasn't at all easy since all the hostels were full. We finally opted for a dormitory located right in the city centre that offered excellent prices. In about twenty minutes we reached our destination... it had already got late in the afternoon and once we'd settled our bags, we headed off to gulp down something cheap. Back at the hostel we spent the rest of the evening planning our stay in New Zealand. In fact our time in this country was limited to a single week and the things to see were truly endless.

The following day we rushed to a travel agency for backpackers in the hope of finding some help to organise our week. We assure you it wasn't at all easy... we had started out with the idea of doing a super tour around the whole of the North Island, but as usual we had to reckon with our budget. In the end we decided to visit only Auckland and Rotorua, a city we had heard so much about, where there are magnificent geothermal parks. Having set the New Zealand question aside, we seized the opportunity and took advantage of it to also book a magnificent "all inclusive" package for the Fiji islands. We walked out of that agency after four hours, with our wallets considerably lighter but with a certain future... at least for the next two weeks.

The next morning at eight o'clock our bus to Rotorua departed. Our boarding of the vehicle was greeted by Jill, the Maori driver who entertained us with his precious explanations of all the little towns we encountered during the five hours of travel. And so here we are, in the very middle of the North Island of New Zealand. This is a place known to most for the events narrated by Peter Jackson in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but also for the particular geothermal phenomena stirring beneath the ground. Having arrived at our destination around lunchtime, after a short nap, we went to the public gardens to have our first encounter with the sulphurous waters evaporating from the pools scattered among green flowerbeds, giving off an intense and initially unpleasant smell of sulphur.

The scenario that presents itself to every tourist arriving in Rotorua is very similar to that of a kitchen in full swing, with stoves lit and pots steaming. But this was only a sort of appetiser for what was awaiting us the following day. We had in fact planned to reach Wai-o-Tapu, the largest and most famous geothermal park in the region. In just half an hour a bus took us to Wai-o-Tapu: actually it dropped us on the main road, from which, with a short hike through green valleys, we reached the entrance of the park. First of all we discovered that it wasn't free, but you had to fork out twenty dollars. We had no choice, we were there by then. Right from the entrance, the park earned its ticket price. A stream, flowing through thick vegetation, edged with a phosphorescent yellow colour, due to the massive presence of sulphur.

The map handed to us at the entrance proposed three routes, with different walking times. The longest route lasted an hour and a quarter and that was exactly the one we intended to follow. Unfortunately time is a tyrant: we had already bought the return ticket and the last bus would pass by in two hours. Off we went at full speed towards the steaming craters, the pools of boiling water and the numerous geysers, distinguished by the strangest names such as "the devil's mouth", "the painter's palette", "the inferno of fire" and so on. But the attraction that truly left us breathless was a huge pool rising in the middle of a limestone plain. The water inside it was close to 100 °C, causing a very strong evaporation and spreading heavy clouds of steam everywhere. For a while we felt at home, in our beloved Po Valley, on a very foggy November evening.

Having reached the exit we headed at a brisk pace to catch the bus again, under a downpour that was arrogant and rude to say the least. Back at the hostel we took a quick shower because a evening in a Maori village was awaiting us. It was an interesting experience that led us to learn about the customs and traditions of the legendary Maori people: let it be clear that it was a reconstruction made specifically for tourists, but that doesn't change the fact that the atmosphere created was truly characteristic. After a brief presentation, we sat down in front of a sort of stage, from which big painted and tattooed guys emerged and began to dance, opening their eyes wide and rolling their tongues. The show lasted a good half hour and ended with a collective "Haka". This is the most famous Maori war dance, which was kindly taught to us by the village chief.

We then headed towards a large marquee, under which tables laden with every good thing were set. In fact, the excursion included a typical Maori dinner, cooked underground, right underground! With our bellies full, even too full, they accompanied us on a digestive stroll in the middle of the forest. Armed with a torch, we went to discover the wonders of nature shrouded in darkness. But the most beautiful thing could only be seen without the torch: the forest was dotted with tiny little insects perched among the mosses and lichens, giving off a lovely and evocative light of their own. The walk ended at the edge of a natural spring that hosted enormous sea monsters: in reality they were just simple trout and some eels (or something similar), but in that crystal-clear water and with the favour of darkness they cut quite a figure.

The following day we spent in a SPA. First of all it's not a joint-stock company, but a chic wellness centre. You heard that right, a proper beauty farm... and then we bore you to death telling you we don't even have the money to eat!!! We're such fakes!!! Well no, the truth is another. The entry was kindly included in the price of the hostel, although this entry included quite a few (even too many!) limitations. We were only allowed to dip into the five thermal pools, each characterised by a different temperature and mineral composition. It was nevertheless great, relaxing and beneficial! And so Rotorua too had had its time... the following day we were on the bus again heading to Auckland. Having arrived at our destination around nine, we went again to settle into the hostel that had welcomed us on our arrival in New Zealand.

We dedicated the last day to discovering the city. After a brief recon tour among the main streets of the centre, we boarded the ferry to Devonport, a neighbourhood located on the other side of the bay, right in the middle between Auckland and the much-sailed Hauraki Gulf. The neighbourhood was quiet and without any attraction of note, were it not for the hill from whose summit you can enjoy a superb view. In front the Sky Tower and the city centre, behind the Hauraki Gulf, right where the last America's Cup was held. We stayed there a couple of hours resting and contemplating the panorama. It was already time to return to the airport in view of our next destination: Fiji.