NEW ZEALAND DIARIES. ARRIVAL
After nearly thirty hours in the air, we landed in New Zealand – jet-lagged, hungry, yet full of excitement. From border checks fussing over muddy shoes to the magic of Hobbiton and an improvised picnic by a cow field, our first day was anything but ordinary. And it was only the beginning.
New Zealand Diaries. Arrival | Journaux de Nouvelle-Zélande. Arrivée | Neuseeland-Tagebücher. Ankunft | Diarios de Nueva Zelanda. Llegada | Diários da Nova Zelândia. Chegada | Diari della Nuova Zelanda. Arrivo | Dzienniki z Nowej Zelandii. Przyjazd | ニュージーランド日記。到着 (Nyūjīrando Nikki. Tōchaku) | 뉴질랜드 일기. 도착 (Nyujillaendeu Ilgi. Dochak) | 新西兰日记。到达 (Xīnxīlán Rìjì. Dàodá) | يوميات نيوزيلندا. الوصول (Yawmiyyāt Nīūzīlāndā. Al-Wuṣūl)
EXCITED. THE JOURNEY BEGINS
The New Zealand adventure begins! In just forty minutes we’ll be boarding a flight to Singapore – and then onwards to Auckland. That’s more than twenty-five hours in the air altogether – enough time to watch every film on the plane twice and still complain about the food.
In Singapore I’ll meet up with five of my companions, while the sixth is already waiting for us in Auckland. For now, greetings from Munich Airport, where the sun is shining, it’s 11 a.m. on Friday, 26 January, and the journey still feels full of promise. Yes, we’ll lose half a day somewhere over the Pacific – but let’s call it an early donation to the gods of travel. Surely they’ll reward us later.
OUR NEW ZEALAND TRIP TRAVEL SCHEDULE
On our New Zealand trip we were almost constantly on the road – with just a brief two-day pause by the peaceful Lake Wanaka. In only eleven days we covered more than 2,800 kilometres in our trusty rented van, averaging about 250 km a day. The ever-changing scenery gave us endless excuses to pull out our cameras and chase the perfect shot.
One of the absolute highlights was Hobbiton – yes, the very set from The Lord of the Rings. But it wasn’t all sightseeing. We also went glacier walking, kayaking, and even took a breathtaking boat trip through Milford Sound.
There were just twelve of us altogether – a small group of travellers bound less by schedules than by our shared love of photography and adventure. I’ll admit, I hadn’t studied the plan too closely before signing up, and I certainly didn’t realise quite how much of our time would be spent inside that van. From time to time it did get a bit frustrating – but honestly, I have no regrets. New Zealand was unforgettable: a country full of possibilities, comfort, and jaw-dropping beauty, and we tried our very best to make the most of it.
Our New Zealand travel schedule as we planned it.
THE OTHER KIND OF THE BORDER INSPECTION
What awaited us was a border control like no other I’d ever experienced. Here, the authorities don’t just check your passport and wave you through – they’re on a mission to protect the local environment. No foreign seeds, no suspicious food, and even your shoes have to be spotless. Apparently, a bit of mud can travel continents, and New Zealand isn’t taking any chances.
The officer looked me straight in the eye and said, Madam, I’m not interested in your passport. I want to know what’s in your luggage. On the entry form I had listed Poland and Norway as the countries I’d visited recently.
Do you have any outdoor equipment or shoes you used there?
No, I replied quickly. It’s winter in Europe. I only packed my gym trainers.
Very well – you may proceed.
Just like that, I was through – though not before my luggage had its own moment of fame in the X-ray machine.
AUCKLAND. THE FIRST STOP ON OUR NEW ZEALAND TRIP
Short on sleep but full of anticipation, we began our first day in New Zealand. Back in Europe it was still Saturday evening, while here – at what feels like the beginning of the world – it was already Sunday morning, 28 January. Auckland runs exactly twelve hours ahead of home, which makes time itself feel a little mischievous.
Despite barely four hours of rest, we were up before six, eager not to waste a moment. The drive through Auckland’s more upscale neighbourhoods was tempting – so many places we would have loved to wander – but there was no time for detours. Our group had a mission: photography first, sightseeing later.
So we headed for a spot near a flyover that promised the perfect vantage point. As the sun rose over the city, the view was simply magnificent – the kind of sight that makes you forget the yawns and the jet lag, and just stand there, grinning at the sheer wonder of being here.
Auckland at the sunrise
A BIT LONGER BREAKFAST THAN PLANNED
Our morning stretched out longer than expected, but we took it in stride – after all, travelling is never short of surprises. Unfortunately, one of our companions fell ill, and instead of chasing sunrises we suddenly found ourselves chasing a doctor.
We phoned the insurer’s call centre, who promised to arrange one for us. Yet with our packed schedule, even they admitted it might be quicker to find help on the spot. A local clinic soon confirmed it was just a virus – nothing dramatic – and with a prescription in hand, our friend was reassured of a swift recovery.
Crisis averted, and the day could continue.
While our friend was being seen by the doctor, we took the chance to explore one of New Zealand’s charming breakfast spots. Before the trip, an acquaintance who had been here just a week earlier had given us one piece of advice: Don’t skip the local breakfasts.
They were absolutely right. The menu was full of tempting choices – hearty, colourful, impossible to decide on – and every plate came with the unspoken promise of a proper cup of coffee. For weary travellers, that was all the encouragement we needed.
Inside the restaurant, a pair of elderly ladies sat by the window, lingering over their Sunday breakfast as if the world outside could wait. It was a gentle reminder that travel isn’t only about racing from one landmark to another – sometimes it’s about slowing down and simply enjoying the small, ordinary moments that make life feel rich.
My first breakfast in New Zealand. The filling was of salmon and spinach, but the wrapping was different to that we are accustomed to in Europe
DAILY SHOPPING IN MATAMATA
In our twelve-seater van, we set off with excitement towards Matamata – and then onwards to the legendary Hobbiton, better known to the world as the Shire from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. It felt slightly surreal: twelve travellers squeezed into a van, on our way to visit a place built for hobbits half our size.
A little jet-lagged but in high spirits, we reached our next stop. First on the agenda: stocking up for a barbecue night. So off we went to our very first New Zealand hypermarket.
To our delight, the place had everything – from the familiar European and American brands we knew by heart, to products clearly meant for local tastes. It felt oddly comforting to see the same global labels smiling back at us from the shelves, even here, at what feels like the edge of the world.
The same held true when we popped into a local pharmacy later on – row after row of brands we already knew. It was a gentle reminder of just how powerful globalisation has become, making the world feel both enormous and remarkably small at the same time.
LODGING
Our hotel was just around the corner – a charming lodge with cosy apartments that felt more like little homes, complete with a living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Over the course of our trip, we would stay in a few similar places, each offering that same mix of comfort and character. This one even had a jacuzzi tucked away in the backyard.
The lodge itself seemed full of history, giving it a personality of its own. We were surrounded by friendly New Zealanders on holiday, which added to the laid-back atmosphere. Just a few hundred metres away, we discovered hot springs that promised pure relaxation – but there was no time to linger. Hobbiton was waiting, and the road was calling.
THE HOBBITON MOVIE SET
The Hobbiton movie set turned out to be every bit as enchanting as we had hoped. Hidden away on private land, it can only be reached on the owners’ coaches – which somehow makes the journey feel even more magical. Every corner of the little village is lovingly kept, as if Bilbo himself might stroll out of Bag End at any moment.
As we wandered through the winding paths, our guide treated us to fascinating details and light-hearted anecdotes. One of the most touching was about Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in the trilogy. During one of the final scenes, the director slipped his own young daughter into the role of Sam’s child – without telling Sean in advance. The look of genuine surprise and delight on his face, we were told, was completely real.
The walk through Hobbiton lasted about two hours and ended, quite perfectly, at the village’s cosy pub. Built to welcome even the slightly larger hobbits, it gives visitors a genuine taste of life in the Shire. While the hobbit-holes scattered across the village are just façades, stepping inside this inn really does feel like crossing into Middle-earth – yes, even the restrooms play along with the illusion.
We were treated to mugs of ginger beer, though sadly our time there was short. The next group had the luxury of spending an entire evening in the hobbits’ tavern – and I’ll admit, I felt a small stab of envy. It did sound like far more fun than rushing back to the coach.
The exterior of one of the many Hobbits’ houses in the Hobbiton village.
The Hobbiton restaurant made to suit the men. I would have stayed there longer if I could have.
OUR FIRST BARBECUE. NEITHER RIGHT TIME NOR THE PLACE
That evening was meant to be all about the barbecue. Our itinerary promised a night of camping in the spectacular Milford Sound on the South Island, so we had come well-prepared with all the necessary gear, carefully picked up in New Zealand.
But plans don’t always unfold as expected. At our lodge hotel, we discovered that barbecuing with our own equipment was strictly off-limits – and by the time we figured that out, every spot at the communal gas grills had already been claimed. So much for our grand feast under the stars.
On the way back from Hobbiton, we first imagined a quiet evening at the lodge – maybe chatting with locals, or even testing the jacuzzi tucked behind our apartment. But hunger, as fierce as a pack of wolves, soon dictated otherwise. Still buzzing from the excitement of Hobbiton, we had completely forgotten about lunch.
So we pulled over at the first possible spot and staged an impromptu roadside picnic – wedged between the tarmac and a cow field that smelled far more authentic than we’d have liked. Hardly a dream setting, but with a splash of wine and a bit of laughter, the mood lifted quickly.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, true darkness fell – the kind you only find when there isn’t another settlement for kilometres around. Let’s just say that what we lacked in common sense, we more than made up for in adventurous spirit.
Our first barbecue night in New Zealand. It was fun, but with the alternative, we had, of spending the evening among New Zealanders, a misconception. As it turned out, on our whole trip, it was the only occasion to see how Kiwis (New Zealanders) enjoy their evenings
LESSON ONE. KITCHENS CLOSE EARLY IN NEW ZEALAND
By the time we finally made it back to the hotel, it was too late to enjoy any of its charms. Unlike in much of Europe, New Zealand evenings end early. It was our first real lesson: if you want to eat out, don’t wait until late – the kitchens usually shut their doors around eight or nine o’clock.
Life here moves at a relaxed pace, and social activities tend to wind down with the sunset. For visitors used to the lively nights of European cities, this can be quite the surprise. If you don’t adjust your mindset to the New Zealand rhythm, you risk missing out – as we did that night – on tasting the country’s excellent cuisine.
A LOST OPPORTUNITY
If I had the chance to do it all again, I’d head straight back to the hotel after visiting Hobbiton. I’d put the little apartment kitchen to good use, rustle up a proper supper, and then wander over to the pub on the premises. A cold drink in hand, mingling with the locals enjoying their evening – that would have been the perfect way to end the day.
To round off the evening, a soak in the jacuzzi tucked away in our backyard would have been just the thing. After all, we’d been in New Zealand for less than 24 hours, and nearly 30 hours of flying in cramped seats had left us in desperate need of proper relaxation.
Long-haul travel is never exactly comfortable – it’s something you simply have to endure – but finding little ways to ease the aches and tiredness is what keeps the journey enjoyable. And a bubbling jacuzzi under the southern skies? That would have done the trick perfectly.
That night, although tired, I was too caught up in my own thoughts to let exhaustion take over. While waiting for the bathroom to free up, I sank into the living room couch for just a moment’s rest. At some point, without even realising, I must have drifted off – only to wake and shuffle into the bedroom much later, perhaps around one or two in the morning.
NEW ZEALAND TRIP. DAY 1 ROUTE
On our very first day in New Zealand, we covered roughly 300–350 kilometres. It never felt heavy-going, as we made plenty of stops along the way. The excitement of the journey carried us through – and by evening we were so worn out that we simply drifted off to sleep, not even noticing when.
It was the perfect kind of tiredness – the kind that comes from new places, new impressions and the quiet thrill of knowing there is so much more still to come.
