When we arrived at Lake Wanaka we instantly thought of Grindelwald in Switzerland. Not that the two little towns look alike, not at all, but somehow they convey common life style or image: sporty, hip, dynamic, a little greenwash…a year-round destination near Mount Aspiring National Park. We like the vibrations, clearly a different experience to …
In Westport we mainly enjoyed the two recommended coffees & restaurants, the Bay Cafe in Tauranga Bay and the Town House in Westport itself. The Town House is located at the northern end of the main street and offers solid, global cuisine for lunch and dinner. A perfect place in town, while the Bay Cafe …
…, traveling spontaneously, following the sun or as the whim takes you? Then you can be prepared as good as you want, you occasionally will face the situation of having no availabilities at your favourite destinations. And then what? Potentially a nasty situation but also one which could be full of positive surprises! In any …
Driving from Nelson to Westport was pure fun and we got remembered on what we liked so much here in New Zealand: endless forest, nature, wild coast lines as natural as it can be … We drove by Mount Richmond Forest Park, the Victoria Forest Park and the Kahurangi National Park and it’s so peaceful; …
I think I need to repeat myself: what a coffee scene here in New Zealand! We were told that there are more than 300 roasters in New Zealand. Although I could not verify the large number, I tend to believe it. However, there are more coffee roasters per capita in New Zealand than anywhere in …
Indeed, there are many good reasons to stay and prolong your stop in Nelson, the beautiful little town in Tasman Bay and eventually a matter of taste; The highest sunshine hours in the south island? The beaches to swim, kajak or run along? The vivid coffee scene in town? The superb pace of life? The …
That was a flying visit to Wellington but we will return. We took the ferry at 8 pm and had a relaxed boat trip to Picton. Early next morning we travelled further to Nelson as the weather forecast predicted another couple of sunny days in Nelson and its region. We arrived at midday and got …
This time we only stayed for one night in Wellington before heading to the South Island. Yet it wasn’t really by our own choise, rather because we faced again a very busy place and time. Furthermore the weather forecast was definitely better for the South Island (Tasman Bay) than here in Wellington. But it’s only …
After a couple of days in Taranaki, we trully felt more than comfortable in our little town New Plymouth. The weather was great, the beaches were on their best behaviour and we enjoyed visiting all the coffees in turn. Yet there are other great places waiting to be discovered so we moved on to Wellington. …
It’s a cosy pace in New Plymouth, although shortly before 9 am there are some “nearly hectical” activities sensible; pupils stroll towards schools, cars find their ways to offices and the coffees are wrapped up in business! And that’s my favourite coffee hour: busy, laughing, discussing people all over, the flavour of fresh croissants, omelettes …
Actually we wanted to stay in one of the typical Beach Bach Villas here in New Plymouth, alongside the famous Surf Highway 45. Hence we checked a couple of them, such as the Ahu Ahu Beach Villas in Oakura, the Wai Iti Beach Retreat in Urenui and the Chalets at Okurukuru Winery, but we haven’t …