Aotearoa North island

Day 14 - Rotorua
My every day morning ritual is to wake up, open the curtains and check the sky. And what can I say?! Blue and azul. I think this is God trying to compensate me for all the shit he puts me through in sports. I mean, the bloody Lakers, Greece and Benfica ever since the referees association moved its control centre to the North of Portugal in the 80’s. And you know what?! Great deal with the lord above! Keep on screwing my teams while I enjoy the weather of Heaven on my journeys. (having said that, the Australian Open was hard to swallow)

The rest of the South island was something to remember forever. Milford Sound was voted by Kiwis the best destination in the country and I totally agree with that. It’s a place unlike anywhere I’ve been before. A mix between Norwegian Fjords and the rain forest. Words are pointless. After leaving Queenstown we had a great drive along the Southern Alps back to Christchurch. Lake Tekapo is the place for inspiration, and Lindis Pass, a portion of highlands where only small yellow grass and weeds grows, at a certain point in the orangy late afternoon sun feels like another planet. I dumped the first Poderoso and took a train and a ferry between islands. What a journey! The train had an open balcony, such is the beautiness of that region, and the ferry was more like Las Vegas packed in a ship, although the sea was so rough and windy I can’t say I enjoyed myself too much.

Wellington felt like the most boring town on a Monday night. After picking up La Poderosa (a station wagon) we headed North to Tongariro National Park, a collection of active volcanoes and breathtaking high mountain views. We did the famous 11km Tongariro Crossing and there was absolutely NO ONE else on the track but us. That feeling of being alone in the wild is something I search for in any of my explorations of this blue dot and that day was possibly the best ever. The contrast between the snow covered mountains and the steam and heat coming out of the craters was fascinating. After that we headed to the Rotorua region, famous for its thermal activity. For 100 kms there are geysers steaming out all around you. It’s insane! It’s also an area of strong Maori culture, the indigenous of Aotearoa. (New Zealand) Why they all look like Rugby players I don’t know.

My good friend Janeko told me recently that New Zealand has been his dream destination for years. No matter how long it might take him to accomplish that dream, it will be absolutely worth it. And that goes for the rest of you commie homo-loving sons of guns. My father emailed me the other day. He said: “Enjoy it son, because no one comes out of this life alive”. Words of wisdom. Times pass away… Seize the day.
My thanks to Marcos for some of his great pictures: