Auckland to Rotorua is about 3 hours car ride. When I was in Auckland, I stayed in Nomads Kiwi Paka with 20 beds in a room and I was the only guest in that room. Maybe I should not call “beds” as it was rows of mattresses on the floor.
I visited the the Te Puia to see bubbling mud pools. I also visited a Maori village and experienced the culture differences. I went to a farm, watched the sheep show and fed the animals.
The days in Auckland was full of fun and excitement. I met up with people from the United States, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and the locals. We gathered together and had a day trip to the Upper Nihotupu Dam. This is one of the five reservoirs in the Waitākere Ranges that supply water in Auckland. We also walked along the soft sand beaches to have a view of the beautiful late afternoon scenery to end the day. A few of us had another day of cooking in one of the members’ house. Besides, I went alone to tour around the city, parks, habour and visited the Auckland Museum. The entrance to the museum is free but there is a mandatory 5 dollar donation we have to pay. From Auckland, I took the morning train to capital city of New Zealand, Wellington.
