The other side of the world – New Zealand

For many tourists the little country, found somewhere at the end of the world, usually missed out on maps, has a known symbol of the exotic kiwi. If it is your first time visiting this country it is usually hard to decide where to start exploring and what to see. In New Zealand there are beautiful lush green landscapes, amazing mountains, crystal clear air and water, unique fauna, smiling, cordial and very helpful inhabitants - this image of New Zealand will be forever in my memory.

Particularly worth seeing is Auckland - the City of Sails, in which it is difficult not to fall in love. It is a dream haven for lovers of water sports. 

The most popular attraction of New Zealand's largest city is the Sky Tower (328 meters). The most important places of the tower are:
- The Sky Café – on the 50th floor of the building, which is 182m above ground.
- The main viewing platform – on the 51st floor, which is around 186m above ground. Here people walk around on 38mm thick glass meaning they can see everything going on below them. 
- Restaurant – on the 52nd floor, which has a 360-degree view of the city. It is around 190m from the ground. 
- Sky walk – Those who wish to have an adrenaline rush walk around the outside of the building at 190m. They put on a special suit in order to be able to do this. 

Sky Jump – It is not a classic bungy jump. The person jumping reaches a speed of 85km/h. The cable the individual is attached to is responsible for their safety, which is preventing the jumper from colliding with the building in the event of a strong gust of wind. Sky Jump was one of the things I was most excited about doing during my stay in Auckland and I was not disappointed. The team of people preparing me for the jump were very friendly and funny, their professional approach caused a momentary relaxation despite my high levels of adrenaline.

In Auckland we visited the Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium. It allows you to get up close and personal with life under water. Would I recommend it? I’m not too sure. After visiting other countries and aquariums, this one didn’t have the wow factor for me. However, if you haven’t previously been to an aquarium I am sure you will enjoy this one. 

Rotorua - When we parked and opened the car door, there was a specific smell. The first question that comes to mind when you arrive in the city is what is it that stinks here? Can hydrogen sulfide smell good? In other words - it smells like fermented eggs. These sulfate vapors escape from the street sewers.  Rotorua lies in the most thermally active part of New Zealand. At a Lake of the same name, the geothermal activity is one of the main attractions. Another main attraction are the giant geysers and thermal spas which attract thousands of tourists annually. This is why Rotorua is considered the capital for geothermal activity in New Zealand. Here lay a set of geysers, the largest of which, Pohutu, shoots a huge stream of water twice an hour, up to 30 meters high.

Waimangu is one of those places where you want to be alone with nature, which is not something we see or do everyday, it's more of a unique beauty. Do we everyday have the opportunity to wander along a stream or river with boiling, steaming, bubbling water? In addition, sparkling with countless colors? A walk through the park takes about two hours. Waimangu owes its uniqueness to the volcanic eruption in 1886, which caused huge changes in the environment and the terrain. After the explosion, the world's largest geothermal hot spring was created here.

Whangarei Falls is located in Whangarei Scenic Reserve. The classic curtain waterfall is part of the Hatea River and one of the most popular swimming spots in the area. Easy access and a well-maintained Scenic Reserve make this waterfall one of New Zealand Must See Waterfalls. It takes around one hour to walk around the Kauri AH Reid Memorial Park.

As expected by most of us from the island, wonderful coastlines surround New Zealand. New Zealand has an array of beaches, which are all well cared for. We can find here sandy, rocky and beaches wrapped around cliffs and rocks, black and white, but all types captivate us the same. Imagine sitting on the beach where you are almost alone. This is really a phenomenon of New Zealand, such peace and nature almost for private use, which probably cannot be found in any other civilized corner of the globe. 

Did you know? 

- Sir Peter Jackson is a New Zealand film director of the film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings". 
- Film adaptation of the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" was filmed in the open air. 
- The longest beach is around 90 km. 
- Drivers drive on the left hand side of the road in New Zealand.
- On the South Island is the city of Dunedin, where the streets have the largest declines and slopes in the world. Baldwin Street has a slope of 38%. 
- Wellington is the world's southernmost capital. 
- In New Zealand, it is popular to set up small self-service stalls with e.g. local fruit and vegetables on farms. Physically the seller is not present at the stand. After choosing the products, the customer must make the appropriate payment himself, putting the money into the "honesty box"
- The ferry crossing, the Cook Strait, between the North and South islands is considered one of the most picturesque in the world.
- Most of New Zealand is overgrown with subtropical forests.
- New Zealand has a small array of animal species, 90% of which are endemic. 
- In New Zealand, forest trees are considered to produce "probably the healthiest honey in the world". Manuka honey is made from the nectar of the manuka bush, which grows in New Zealand. Manuka honey is sometimes reffered to as medical honey because it has high antibacterial activity.