After three months of internship, we are starting to explore the country of sheeps.

New Zealand is half the size of France and has a population twelve times smaller. So you can imagine that public transport isn't the norm here. Kiwis travel by plane or car ! So we bought a van to discover these unspoilt, sparsely populated landscapes.

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In winter, discovering this country far from the rest of the world is a completely different experience. With so few tourists, you feel even more isolated! 

The North Island is particularly famous for its beaches, but with water at 12°C, it was hard to swim in the turquoise waters of the Coromandel creeks, sunbathe on the white sandy beaches of Tauranga or surf the world-famous waves of Raglan. But we've had it all! Walking in the geothermal parks of Rotorua and climbing the Tongariro volcano, on the other hand, were unforgettable experiences. If you like hiking, New Zealand is a real paradise. We also loved visiting Wellington on foot, the windiest and southernmost capital city in the world!

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The South Island is wilder, with fjords and the Southern Alps taking up most of the land. Mount Cook, its highest peak, rises to 3,724 metres and is only a few dozen kilometres from the Tasman Sea. Snow-capped peaks and the ocean share the landscape, which becomes unforgettable with the light of dawn.

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After five months hiking in Kiwi country, it was time to begin our long journey back to France, the other end of the world. 

So we're taking a plane to Australia: we'll explain why in a future newsletter!

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Our favourite place

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Kaikoura is a small town in the north-east of the South Island. Known for its rich marine ecosystem, tourists stop here to watch whales, dolphins and seals from a boat or sometimes a helicopter.

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Initially, Kaikoura was to be just a stopover on our way to Dunedin.

As soon as we arrived, we parked facing the Pacific Ocean, against a backdrop of superb snow-capped mountains (long live winter in New Zealand!). We didn't move from here for three days! We were busy writing our internship report, and we couldn't get tired of working in our little van in front of this incredible view. We stayed here from sunrise to sunset, admiring the beautiful lights that illuminated the landscape. 

A path starts here (the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway) and allowed us to walk around the Kaikoura peninsula, observing its turquoise waters and envying the cows that enjoy the view all day long!

A path starts here (the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway) and allowed us to walk around the Kaikoura peninsula, observing its turquoise waters and envying the cows that enjoy the view all day long!

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What's for dinner?

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Let's get the word out straight away: New Zealand is not the land of fine food. Especially for vegetarians! 

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However, winter is the season for kiwis and avocados. We ate them every day! The kiwis are sweet and juicy, especially the gold variety, and the avocados cost nothing. That was enough to make us happy.

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We'd also like to mention a discovery that really stood out for us: the Nolita restaurant. This 100% plant-based pizzeria is based in Wellington and, without exaggeration, we ate some of the best pizzas we've ever tasted! The prices are very reasonable (go at lunchtime for a reduced rate), and the pizzas are super original. If the owner ever stumbles across this newsletter: we'll be waiting for you in France ;)

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A lovely meeting

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I was lucky enough to have Charlotte Dey and Mio Akiyama as my flatmates in Wellington. As soon as I arrived, they showed me all the cool places in town, told me about student traditions and introduced me to New Zealand's cult music and food. In short, they immediately put me at ease in an unfamiliar country, on the other side of the world, where another language is spoken. 

When Tanguy lost his accommodation in Tauranga, Charlotte didn't hesitate for a second to offer him a place to stay with his parents who live there. He stayed there for 2 and a half months! 

The Dey family amazed us with their generosity and helpfulness, qualities we often find in New Zealanders.

We'd like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their welcome, and of course for letting us taste their delicious plum tart, a family recipe ;) And the coolest thing is that we'll be seeing them again in Vietnam, where they'll be spending their Christmas holidays!

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