Aotearoa: My Sojourn Down Under

Long aeroplane journeys do not excite me, but I want to travel the world, so every time I plan an international trip, the least exciting part for me is air travel.

This time around, I had to travel all the way to the Southern Hemisphere. However, my exotic destination down under was the reason I decided to brave the 15-hour journey.

Before the trip, I remember being asked by a friend how thrilled I was about my impending trip to New Zealand, and I replied, “My excitement will begin once I touch down.”

New Zealand is way more beautiful and serene than I had imagined. These were my thoughts as the plane was landing at Auckland airport. Nearly 12,000 km from India and over 4,000 km from Australia, New Zealand is not just down under; it is actually deep down under. But the breathtaking locales of the island nation make the arduous journey totally worth it.

New Zealand essentially comprises the North and South islands, and Auckland is one of the largest cities on the northern island. Pictures can’t do justice to this island’s beauty, and the further away you go from the main cities, the prettier the landscape becomes.

The trip started with a visit to the heart of Auckland—the central business district, Sky Tower, and Viaduct. A walk across these places in the crisp sunlight and wind was a welcome change from Delhi’s air, which was grappling with pollution when we left for our trip.

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The native Maoris are an assertive lot, and this can be gauged from the fact that Maori is the main language of the country, along with English, for all official communication. This kind of assertion by the natives is apparently missing in Australia.

Even though New Zealand takes pride in its native people, some of the streets in Auckland and Wellington will remind you of this beautiful country’s colonial past, as they get their names from the British Royalty.

Our next stop was Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, which is also a very windy city. Essentially, the North and South islands of NZ are separated by Cook Strait, and the strong gusts of winds from the Pacific Ocean enter Wellington without being interrupted by any physical barrier, thereby making it the windiest capital in the world.

The museum in Wellington will give you a sneak peek into New Zealand’s history, essentially how the Maoris arrived here around the 1300s.  Present-day New Zealand was named Aotearoa by the Maoris, which means the land of long white clouds in that language. Maori is a language of symbols and doesn’t have a script; however, present-day Maori uses the Roman script.

The city of Wellington is very different from modern-day cities that have huge malls. It has a thriving high-street shopping area dotted with local boutiques, which was a treat to witness in today’s era of mass-produced fast fashion labels. The city’s botanical gardens are another attraction, especially during the spring season when the flowers are in full bloom.

Rotorua, a small town near Auckland, is yet another serene attraction for tourists. The tiny pools there have a continuous flow of boiling water due to volcanic activity that occurred several centuries ago; it continues to bubble in those small pools to this day. Upon touching the water, one can realise its temperature.

The Redwoods Treewalk in the wilderness is an exhilarating experience at night as one crosses 27 suspension bridges. It is the right kind of adrenaline for the body and mind.

The islands around Auckland are another attraction. While Waiheke Island is where you can explore the NZ vineyards, Rangitoto Island is where you can climb the largest and youngest volcano in the country. The volcanic cone, which has yet to be declared dormant, will provide you with a picturesque view of the neighbouring islands once you are at the top of the summit. A relatively breezy hike on Mount Eden within Auckland gives you a spectacular 360-degree view of the city.

Unlike its European counterparts, shopping is not one of New Zealand’s main strengths, and one has to make do with the athleisure stuff on offer. However, the local Manuka honey is definitely worth buying as a souvenir.

A day trip to the Waitomo Caves, enroute to the Hobbiton Movie set, is also worth mentioning. The experience of exploring the glowworms in the ancient caves on a boat was riveting, albeit eerie.

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Shortly after being on the Hobbiton Movie set tour, I decided to grab the opportunity to watch the Lord of the Rings musical at the iconic venue—The Civic—in Auckland. Built over 100 years ago, the interiors of the theatre and its facade are enough to entice art lovers to the theatre.

Although I must confess that I have hardly seen the Lord of the Rings series, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical in all its glory. The show’s lighting and sound effects were outstanding. The musical was one of the major highlights of this trip.

I can go on and on about describing the beauty of New Zealand, but truth be told, it can only be experienced.   The natural beauty and landscapes of this tiny country will leave any tourist spellbound. They are a treat to the naked eye and provide much-needed relief from the high rise buildings that are becoming the norm across major cities in the world.