After living in Australia for a year for my study abroad, I wanted a proper farewell trip: New Zealand felt perfect. I didn’t make it to the South Island, but traveling from Wellington to Rotorua to Auckland already felt like a journey through multiple worlds.
Wellington was surprisingly calm. The Beehive, New Zealand’s parliament building, impressed me, it felt like a place where people could truly voice their opinions. A cable car ride to the Botanic Garden was relaxing, with the city stretching out below.
Rotorua was a mix of culture and nature. Visiting a Māori village left me in awe, especially the haka, which is intense at first glance. I loved how geothermal energy is woven into daily life: cooking with steam from the earth. The sulfur lakes smelled strong, but carried stories and energy for the community. Hobbiton was another highlight, commercialized but magical, with adorable movie-set houses.
Auckland charmed me with its harbor and waterfront. Te Whanganui-a-Hei (Cathedral Cove) was beyond this world: stunning, serene, and a real reminder of how powerful and beautiful nature can be. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations turned the city into a huge street party: dancing, drinking, and lots of green.
Then COVID hit. Flights canceled, borders closed. I got stuck in Auckland for a few days before finally flying back to Germany. Looking back, though, if there was any country to be stuck in, it was New Zealand. I only wish I had stayed longer.
