Category Archives: Travel

Tamaki Maori Village

Tamaki Maori Village is the best Maori cultural encounter I’ve experienced. The reason I loved it so much is because it felt like we were invited to a family gathering. We went to the village in various buses. We were on the bus called Huia (a native bird now extinct). We learnt how two brothersContinueContinue reading “Tamaki Maori Village”

Funky (smelling) town

After our Hobbiton adventure, mom and I made our way to Rotorua. Yes, that stinky town 😛 Apart from the sulphur smells, which are not always that bad unless the wind wafts a certain way, there is actually plenty to do. Personally, I’d recommend investing some time in learning more about Maori culture. You canContinueContinue reading “Funky (smelling) town”

Hobbiton: an unexpected journey

On our way from the Coromandel to our next destination of Rotorua, I knew that we would sort of pass the Matamata area. I’d thought about visiting Hobbiton before, but never actually made my way down there. As we were driving south, I saw a road sign directed towards Hobbiton. I had no idea thatContinueContinue reading “Hobbiton: an unexpected journey”

Roots and belonging

This week’s photography challenge inspires me greatly. I live in the Netherlands and I’ve always felt the confines of the small country I call my home. With 17 million people on a small stretch of land that you can drive through from one end to the other in about three hours, I sometimes feel claustrophobic.ContinueContinue reading “Roots and belonging”

Cathedral Cove

One of the things on my wish list for this latest trip to New Zealand was Cathedral Cove. I’d seen so many photos online and was really excited to see it for myself. Luckily, mom was up for it, so off we went! It was about a 45-minute walk from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove.ContinueContinue reading “Cathedral Cove”

You do the Hokey Pokey

Our first destination after Auckland was Hahei. I’d never been to the Coromandel before, but heard great things about it and I wanted to save travelling the area for this trip with my mom. It wasn’t too long a drive from Auckland, maybe a few hours orso. We needed to get used to the carContinueContinue reading “You do the Hokey Pokey”