How do we get from the airport to our AirBnB? Okay, I’ll quickly google it. After many days without internet in Indonesia we are prepared super badly for our arrival in New Zealand. What is certain is that it will be significantly more expensive here than in all the countries we have visited so far. To get started we booked a nice and inexpensive accommodation in Auckland to work out everything else on the spot.
An Uber taxi to our hosts costs 70 NZ$, so about 50 Euro. Wow, those are amounts that we have to get used to. A friendly older lady at the information stand hands us a flyer of the Super-Shuttle. That amounts to NZ$60 right to the doorstep. A good deal, because the bus to the city center would have already cost 36 NZ$. And it’s the fourth day since we left the Togian Islands. We’re tired.
After further research the next day we quickly realize that we’re in some kind of Switzerland! Time for the slide rule, we really have to see how we can get through the country at the best price. In any case, self-catering is required. A doner kebab costs about 8 €, the frozen pizza 7 €, a cucumber even 4 €. Ha! The high entrance fees are also very remarkable. Looking at the Hobbit house for example is only 50 € per nose. Suddenly, the Euro in your pocket is only worth a fraction of what it was in Indonesia.
I was in New Zealand 19 years ago and don’t remember it that expensive. But even then we were often at camping sites. So buy a tent and camp? No, it’s winter here, it’s freezing in the tent, that’s not a good idea. How about a big car or a campervan? That would be something completely new for us and is very popular in New Zealand, as we have heard from other travelers. Buying and selling again at the end takes too long for us according to their experience. But we really like the idea. So give us the rental camper!
Campervans are available in many different variations in all sizes and colors. We have no clue and book not the smallest vehicle, but by far not the biggest. There is enough space for two standing plus luggage, a fridge with freezer compartment, two gas hotplates, a 25-liter water tank, but no shower and no toilet. And as we quickly see, the latter leads to the fact that some free campsites may not be used. We are not “self-contained”. But it’s not that bad, a hot shower on a real camping site is something awesome. And we don’t have to deal with “black water” and “grey water”, the different waste water tanks in such a larger camper.
And so our journey in Auckland begins on the North Island heading south. From rich to poor we now use many apps to find cheap offers. Campsites, gas stations, the cheapest supermarket was also quickly identified. The Hobbit house falls victim to our cuts, but we treat ourselves to the geothermal park with Geyser and the Maori village with a funny dance performance. We also opt for the most beautiful day tour of New Zealand, the “Tongariro-Alpine-Crossing”. The hike was not possible the days before with too much snow and ice. We arrive, and fortunately the difficult part is passable again. We have perfect weather. The trek is therefore quite crowded despite low season, but after a while the people disperse. And now New Zealand reveals its fabulously beautiful landscapes with bright white, snow-capped but steaming volcanoes. Even more beautiful in winter than in summer. At this sight we forget how much it all costs and are rich again – rich in unforgettable experiences.
