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| The first sign we saw as we stepped off the plane :) |
This was a big highlight of our trip for sure!! NZ is well known for it's road trip vacations and there were camper vans on the road with us constantly. It was a brilliant way to explore the country - I can't imagine having done it any other way. From busker festivals to hobbit houses to volcanoes to beaches, it was AMAZING!!!
Most notable were the incredibly friendly people we encountered from the very beginning to the very end of our trip. NZ is honestly like a big village. We were invited into homes of perfect strangers and it was the most wonderful experience. It really made me question North American mentalities of strangers and whether or not they are valid - and if they are valid, then I wonder what it is we're doing to produce such a sad reality?!
Our Road Trip:
We started in NZ's largest (but still teeny tiny!) city, Auckland. Adorable.
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| On the main street |
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| Downtown |
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| On the main street |
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| By the waterfront |
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| Such an exciting discovery by the waterfront! |
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| This guy was awesome |
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| Zac loved the shows :) |
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| In our hotel after a day of exploring |
On the road the next day:
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| Selfie! Zac and Nanny |
Then we headed to Hobbit Town!
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| Zac is a Hobbit |
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| Zac and Nanny |
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| We re-create a scene from the movie! |
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| So pretty! |
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| The tree is fake and cost MILLIONS of dollars. They wired each leaf on by hand! |
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| In the Green Dragon for a cider |
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| Zac is a hobbit |
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| So cozy |
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| At the local pub after the tour |
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| New friends! |
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| The boys |
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| Their sheep! |
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| These animals are actually buildings! |
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| Inside a cute cafe |
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| Outside a cute store |
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| Zac got bored of all the cuteness and was reading in the van |
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| The Kiwi - NZ's national bird Next up: Volcanos and Mountains in the middle of the North Island |
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| Mt. Rupert |
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| Mordar |
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| Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings! |
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| Zac announces the momentous occasion of touching "Mordar" |
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| Fun! |
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| Delays were just part of the trip |
On the way to Wellington, the Southernmost city on the North Island:
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| Mmmm fresh berries Wellington |
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| The Waterfront |
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| Down town Wellington was an interesting mix |
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| Wooden Sculptures |
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| Modern art? |
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| Lower Hutt Area - we loved! |
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| Apparently Elijiah Wood peed in this water fountain! Charming |
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| At the hospital to get Zac's cast off |
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| Fish and chips at the beach front |
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| Lemon Lime Bitters! Best drink ever. We got addicted. |
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| Games :) |
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| Psychic :) Zac's reading was so great. |
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| When we headed back to the van, it didn't start. This lovely gentleman helped put us back on the road :) |
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| Sunset! |
That night we took the ferry across to the South Island :)
