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You can see two names at the airport when you arrive in Auckland
New Zealand and Aotearoa -this is how the Maoris call the country
It means "The Land of White Long Clouds"
The Central Business District is dominating at the bay
but the architecture of such districts as Davenport or Tapakuna
determines the cosy character of the city.
There are countless small homes and buildings
of light structure in Auckland built on the hilly land.
There is probably the largest number of boats in Auckland to one inhabitant
and that is why Auckland used to be called the city of sails.
You can see the Rangitoto Volcano from many places in the west part of the city.
The end of April means the begin of winter in New Zealand.
The weather is changeable so when on the next day we go to see the city of Auckland
and certainly Queenstreet it is cold and it is raining.
You can buy here some souvenirs, cloths, electronics
or very popular in Auckland "take away " food.
Parnell is a very nice place to have a nice cup of coffee.
Parnell is like Remuera and Newmarket one of the richest and most stylistic districts in Auckland.
It is quite busy here at the weekday especially during the lunch break.
You can try one of the Chinese, Japanese, English and Italian restaurants. .
You can also visit here some small contemporary art galleries.
We are driving Tamaki Drive along the northern coast of Auckland and arriving at Mission Bay.
We have here for lunch our first in New Zealand wrapped up in the old newspaper "fish and chips.".
In the Auckland War Memorial Museum you can see not only the exhibits from the 1st and 2nd World War
but also some collections of British and Maori art
some sculptures and jewellery made from jadeite with the effigy of "tiki "
( in accordance with the maori mythology this is the first human who embodied the ancestors and the goods)
The jadeite tiki pendant is the most popular jewellery
you can buy in jewellery and souvenir shops..
New Zealand is the country of the kiwi bird (under preservation)) and the moa bird which has been wiped out in the 18th century..
Sky Tower is the highest building in Auckland.
The attraction of this place are the bungee jumps..
The prototype for this sport was the tradition from Vanatu Islands.
The men are jumping there from a high bamboo structure
protected only with the ropes made of liana in honour of the ancestors and the goods.
Living Auckland we are heading for the North where the weather is still warm
although the early winter.
We are driving the highway no 1,.
passing Wangarei and stop in Paihia,
the main touristic center in the Bay of Islands..
As in the other places in New Zealand you can meet here the dolphins.
Waitangi is an historical place.
On the lawn in front of the Waitangi Treaty House,
in year 1840 the Maori chiefs and the British colonists
sign the treaty which should end the conflict between the Maoris
and the white people called Pakeha
guarantee the right to the land for Maoris
and incorporating the New Zealand into the British empire.
The treaty was never really ratified and was not abided by the white settlers.
The conflicts connected with the ground purchased by the colonists
caused the New Zealand wars which formally ended when the Maori king surrendered in year 1881.
Mangonui is another nice place to spend holidays
but it is also a small fishing port.
We eat here some fish with Maori names difficult to remember..
The 90 miles Beach in reality has circa 60 miles.
We have to live the beach before the high tide.
In summer there are some motor races taking place here
but now the beach is empty..
Initially, we have some concerns,
but the car we bought on the car market in Auckland performs well..
The car market offered mainly Japanese cars,
off-road Toyotas turned out to be the most expensive
Apart from the information obtained from the owner,
all the details about the car were available at the information desk,
kind of small office located in the sort of trailer.
The agent entered the registration number of the car to the computer
after a while we got a printout containing information on subsequent owners
and car repairs carried out, since the car was delivered here from Japan.
Jim, who sold us the car , during the negotiations revealed to us some more details about himself
a few years ago he came to New Zealand with his wife and child from Zimbabwe.
He took the decision to leave after their car was shot and he was nearly killed.
His father was in Zimbabwe the owner of a construction company.
Both with his wife chose New Zealand
because of the relatively high standard of living..
But nothing can equal nature of Africa,,
you can find the bush like in Africa nowhere else.
We pick up the car the next day.
The registration formalities are simple -- appropriate forms have to be filled up up at the post office
and send to the proper authority and then you can drive your car.
We have to go back to the main road before the high tide --
the only way is the river channel..
Farther north we go, the more villages inhabited mostly by Maoris,
whose ancestors came to Britain around 800 BC from the islands of Polynesia in a big canoe,
Abel Tasman for the first time noted their existence in 1642,
and the James Cook thoroughly examined this area in the 2nd half of the eighteenth century..
We reach Cape Reinga- the place where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea.
Between Cape Reinga and North Cape we see the Bay of Spirits..
According to Maori mythology, this is the place where the spirits of the dead
depart for the return trip to their homeland Hawaiki.
We head back south-we want to see the Coromandel Peninsula..
We stay at in the Thames, known for its gold rush,
which in the second half of the XIX century led to the rapid development of the place.
We rent a room in a small, elegant motel
run by two English women in middle age.
Most of the places we stayed are owned and managed by people
who came here from Europe and lead here a modest but quiet life.
The next day we drive to Hot Water Beach.
On the beach you can dig a sand bath with thermal water
and have the feeling of being in a bath because the ground in several places emits steam and heat.
Bay of Plenty and the largest city in the area-Tauranga.
The name apparently invented James Cook
- and indeed in the bay in the 70-ies of XIX century
many farmers made a considerable fortunes cultivating and exporting kiwi.
Kiwi Fruit - opposed to the bird, was called "Chinese gooseberry"
because it has just been imported from China.
Heading further south, we reach the region and the city of the same name Rotorua.
We have no doubt that we're going in the right direction,
because we are getting accompanied with the strong smell of sulfur.
Rotorua is situated on the 200 km tectonic rift.
The whole area is geothermally active,
in the meadows here and there he earth emits steam
and the region successfully uses geothermal energy to heat water.
The most visually interesting places with active geysers and hot lakes
are popular tourist attraction in Rotorua.
The gate - Waharoa symbolizes the five stages of the creation of the world.
The circle of 12 poles - Te Heketanga-a-Rangi symbolizes divine beginning
of the 12 provinces in the culture of Te Arawa.
Tradition dictates that the school may be admitted by students who provide
the proof of Maori descent to the minimum extent specified by the school.
The principles of traditional Maori arts are very specific-shapes, floral motifs, colors
are reproduced in the new compositions always according to the same canons.
The attraction of Te Puia is the Maori village- Pikirangi,
and here the traditional Maori marae - a meeting place for the tribe.
Initially planned in this place as a sort of model ,
over time began to function practically as other marae in New Zealand.
Within the Whakarewarewa thermal valley there is about 500 lakes and 65 geysers,
including the most famous geyser Pohutu.
Pohutu eruption occurs up to 20 times a day to a height of about 30 meters.
Volcano and Lake Tarawera. Volcanic eruption in 1886 destroyed the nearby villages,
147 Maoris and six Europeans were killed.
The picturesque pink and white terraces , which was famous for the place,
have been buried forever and can be admired now only in old photographs.
Another interesting thermal area is
"Geothermal Wonderland Wai-O -Tapu " - holy water.
The area abounds in colourful hot mud lakes and ponds.
In many places the gases form bubbles on the water ,
you can feel the gurgling sounds and smell of sulfur.
Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15 - the eruption may reach the height of 20 meters.
Champagne pond was so named because of the ever effervescent, hot water.
Kiwi House - an exhibition and information center
where in the special darkened rooms
birds are able to breed under the care of people.
Kiwi are the birds of night,
you can watch them only in minimal light.
Almost every place where there is something to be seen by tourists
has a small shopping gallery with jewellery made of jade and shell,
sculptures in the style of Maori, natural cosmetics produced from local clays, plants and honey.
In the gardens of the former government's spa center built here in 1908
the hot springs helped veterans of the First World War during their treatment in Rotorua
Currently the building houses the Rotorua Museum of Art and History.
The Blue Baths have been renovated lately in an Art Deco style.
Being in New Zealand, we do not bypass the State's capital, Wellington,
which is compared to San Francisco due to the hilly terrain
and seismic activity and the city tram cable.
Te Papa Tongarewa. - the most famous museum of New Zealand.
An extensive part of the exhibition are objects and multimedia presentations
describing the geography and geology of New Zealand and its history.
We are living Wellington crossing the Cook Strait by ferry
and arrive at the South Island in a small port town Picton.
Then we go for the most part along the east coast of the South Island,
there is no traffic, so we can look at landscapes.
We stop to look at the seal colonies vacationing on the volcanic coast.
It turns out that the seals do not react looking at us.
They run, however, when we begin to talk to each other,
so we look at the seals in silence.
We fail to see the penguins,
despite the information that they should appear in this area.
The mountains of New Zealand's -Southern Alps are exciting. --
they are situated in the central-western part of the South Island,
but can also be seen from the east coast.
We want to get to Christchurch and then drive to Otago Peninsula - the end of the South Island
Christchurch was founded by Anglicans in 1850, because of the pastures
ideal for grazing the sheep in this area.
Currently, Christchurch, which also has a number of architectural and tourist attractions
is called the city of gardens.
In years 2010, 11 and 12 the earthquake took place here in that damaged many buildings ,
hundreds people were killed.
Dunedin was founded by the members of the Scottisch Free Church in 1848
Several years later due to the gold rush the town became the financial center of the country.
Currently it is a university town with Scottish and Victorian character.
It is located on the bay at the Otago Peninsula and has 120 000 inhabitants.
The peaceful Peninsula with small houses and the open space
is the essence of New Zealand.
But in the early nineteenth century for seals and whales hunters arriving in this area
the natives have not shown the kindness
- Maoris killed and ate four ***, the next three lost their lives nearby the Murdering Beach.
We turn aside from the main road to see the Larnach Castle.
It is the only castle in New Zealand.
It was built by William Larnach Minister of the Crown in the 2nd half of the nineteenth century.
It is so unusual element of the landscape that we have to see it in detail.
Sometimes New Zealand seems to be a world of strange things
unusual products, services, clothing, behavior.
On the other hand is very family friendly country -
there are many places in New Zealand arranged especially for children .
New Zealand is a kingdom of small business
you do not see here many signs of multinational corporations.
It is a bit too cold for us on the South Island, after all it is the end of the New Zealand winter.
We decide to go to some warmer areas - to Australia.
At the last moment, we realize that visa is necessary.
Luckily I have a laptop with me
so I send a request for a visa on departure day sitting on the beach.
We arrive late at the airport. However we go through the check in and
this means that in the meantime we got visa and we can fly to Sydney.
In the Royal Botanic Garden the role of pigeons play parrots and ibises.
The Opera House is the architectural idea that of the 50-ies.
It was opened in 1973 and became a symbol of Sydney.
The project was completed in accordance with the concept of Dane Jorn Utzon
in collaboration with the engineering office Ove Arup & Patners.
Circular quay is a busy ferry harbor and the place
from which the tourists apparently start sightseeing.
The street musicians can usually be met in this place .
The characteristic Aboriginal music and art could be find in many areas of Sydney.
Queen Victoria Building according to some opinions
is the most beautiful shopping center in the world.
It was founded at the end of the nineteenth century
and was the largest wholesale market hall in the city.
Darling Harbour - the largest contemporary project of Sydney.
In the nineteenth century it was the harbour for most commercial vessels.
Currently the commercial functions are dominating -- you can find here plenty of restaurants, shops, a maritime museum, an aquarium,
exhibition center and shopping center.
In the city center we pass immigrants from Sri Lanka,
protesting against the policy of the Sri Lanka government against the Tamil Tigers.
Hyde Park Barracks designed by the exile architect Francis Greenway
were built in 1819 and were used as a prison for hundreds of people-exiled from the UK.
Currently act as a museum.
One look at the Bondi Beach.
The beach is located on the eastern side of the city, actually in the suburbs,
with buildings from the 30-ies of XX century.
We decide to go to Fiji - the place where the Australians use to spend holidays
unless they visit Europe for sightseeing.
When you are flying to the east and transfer a couple of times,
the environment is changing.
Society of self-centered, restrained Europeans change to a mix of Far Eastern cultures.
The atmosphere becomes freer, mandatory attire is t-shirt and flip flops.
We land in Nadi on Viti Levu - one of the 333 Pacific islands of this country.
At the airport, after brief negotiations with the young Fiji women agent
we decide to spend a few days on the Yasawas Islands --
we take the option for backpackers and independent travelers as those we think we are.
On the islands we quickly learn the principle of "Fiji Time".
If someone wants to give you the understanding you should stop getting impatient
you will be told :"Fiji Time" (wait, do not worry, everything will be ok)
Despite winter there is quite a lot of tourists,
most of the them young people, students from Australia, America, New Zealand.
Surprisingly efficiently the tourists are distributed to individual islands.
The ship circulates between the islands every day
Smaller boats at a certain time pick up and drop off tourists,
who can easily move this way from island to island
The biggest attraction of the island is the ability to dive around the reefs,
and explore underwater caves.
On the Bounty Island, as the attraction prepared for tourists
you can watch a presentation of breaking the coconut.
It's hot, the ocean is calm, you can watch the fish even without going into the water.
I manage to film the ray. I see the quickly zipping fin of the reef shark
but it disappears before I am able to run the camera.
The colors at the end of the day on Fiji are unique.
The appearance of the sky and the light intensity changes very quickly.
At the same time, on one side of the island you can watch the bloody sunset
on the opposite the pastel moonrise.
White Sandy Beach is a quiet island managed by the dynamic mum-boss.
You can casually lounge here in a hammock.
The Families from the neighboring islands organized rugby match.
In the evening they present a local specialty-Bula Dance.
The outflow on the island discovers the great stretches of the sea floor.
The attraction of Nanuya Lailai Island is the blue lagoon
known from the movie with the same title.
You can rest here at the white beach,
dive to see the coral reef with lots of colorful fish
and have the opportunity of a close encounter with tiger sharks.
The monsoon is blowing but we are waiting for the full moon
when the wind should finally calm down.
When the owners of the resort take us on a boat ride,
we learn that the most of the islands belong to local families and individuals.
The neighboring island belongs to Britney Spears, who they meet in person.
Mum boss grabs a mighty crab for dinner, which we have together in their home on the island.
The crab is cooked with coconut juice from the palm trees
growing in a garden and sweet potatoes from the garden patches.
The patches are weeded by the master of the house
with the machete, which is a practical tool needed to carry out daily activities:
with the machete you can scarify the ground,
dig up the tubers, cut down the coconuts.
Also the spear might be useful -- for example to can catch fish.
At the end I am waiting on my boat that will take me back to Denarau.