I talk too much my mouth hurts

The people at Pedro's house of lamb are so friendly. They will happily pose for a photo if asked :). The main Pedro's are in Queenstown, popular eateries Dad wanted us to also experience. While we can't always accompany him when he is working, we can certainly take home a bit of the famous lamb dish from their Christchurch branch. I'm pretty sure this is a temporary place because: a. it was a shipment container, though not an usual sight in Christchurch, it was also, b. on a parking lot next to the petrol station. You just rock up and they already had a box ready for us to pick up, no waiting needed. Good thing they were so quick because we were hungry! We got a box for two people but it must have been for two very big starving peeps because it was more than enough for our family of four. Thanks, dad, for the suggestion!

Another Christchurch delight is the funky Addington co-op cafe. This place is uber cool - it's got big tables for shared dining, its own coffee roaster, a 'backyard' area where you can even picnic on the grassy patch the cafe food. There's space to park your bikes, and there's also a corner shop of ethical and ethnic products.
What I liked the most of this super bustlingly popular cafe, though, was what was written on one of its boards:
He aha te mea nui? Te tangata, te tangata, te tangata. What is the most important thing? It is people, it is people, it is people.
Addington co-op distributes 70% of their profit to those in need, both locally and overseas. Now that's awesome.



My sister is visiting home from Australia for a few weeks. While I am sad I won't be able to see her in Christchurch, it got me reminiscing about all the good foods I had there when we last went down to see our parents. 


Pegasus bay restaurant is a family owned winery. With numerous prizes under their belt, it is also a great setting to be married in - one I thought could be a possibility for mine. Their pinot noir is famous, as is their food. 


First we had the bread with butter and olive oil dip. The gazpacho appetiser came in espresso cups. Mum wanted to savour it, they were so good, fresh and tangy. 

For the mains, we got the wild venison, house made black pudding, celeriac purée, poached Burbank plum, liquorice granola (me), North Canterbury Angus/Hereford beef sirloin, fried oxtail, cauliflower, parsley oil, boquerones, brussel sprout leaves (Dad and A), and steamed market fish, grilled octopus, Japanese radish, grapefruit, shiitake consommé (Mum). I think my dish was the best and was very pleased with myself.
The restaurant portions are deceivingly made to look tiny whereas in reality it was perfect, what with the starters and the sides of salad and potatoes, as well as the dessert that was to come. 

The waiter asked if we wanted the wines recommended to match our mains but we were, No, thank you, just a bottle of your pinot noir would be perfect. She then proceeded to rinse our glasses with the wine we were about to drink, lest the wine be tainted with any remnants of dishwash tastes. This apparently was the Italian way, which even A my French husband had not seen before. 


Feeling already full by the end of the mains, we opted to share our desserts: warm calvados baba, baked apple, chèvre ice cream, and a selection of three tiny petit fours. Unfortunately, I was incapable of enjoying them as much due to my stomach on the verge of exploding. 

We really went overboard with our choices here and ended up spending over three hours for lunch, rolling out with our bellies full, a real rare case of gluttony.

Friday

We arrive late at night, racing against time and the Friday after work traffic. The night sky is amazingly full of clouds of stars, like I have probably never seen before. As soon as we get to our Airbnb, I place myself on a bean bag on the deck, eyes set towards the heaven. Unfortunately no falling stars tonight.

Saturday

Beautiful day in Napier for some wine education. Napier is the New Zealand equivalence of St Emilion in France. As always, we stop by Mission Estate. Mission Estate is the oldest vineyard here, from plants brought by the early French Marist brothers in 1830s. You get to taste a selection of around 9 different wines and also receive a wine glass as a gift. Not bad for $5. We learn that their wines are from grapes in Marlborough and Martinborough as well as the Hawke's Bay area. Some are hand picked and fermented in French oak barrels while others are machine picked then placed in huge stainless steel tanks for mass production. For a more rustic experience, you should head to Black Barn, where there is a market every Saturday morning and often outdoor concerts during summer. It reminds me of the MONA in Tasmania, Australia. We gladly take a quick dip in Lake Taupo where the geothermal black stony sand keeps the toes warm underwater, before heading back to our Airbnb for a bbq dinner and more stargazing. I think I catch a few and make quick wishes.

Sunday

Last day of the weekend. We leave our modern Airbnb and arrive in the hot water park ten minutes' drive away. I sit in the happy medium where the hotter current meets the cold. An hour's walk takes us to Huka falls. The clear emerald-turquoise blue waters look inviting despite the numerous warning signs of strong currents. At the end of the track, it's tourists galore. Many are taking photos of the herculean mass of water falling, selfies with the fall behind their pouting lips, or just selfies with little interest in the falls. Back in Taupo central, we teach a little local boy how to play giant chess after lunch. It's more fun than playing for myself. I lose. Hurrying to beat the post-weekend Sunday traffic back home, trying to figure out the radio competition. What can the answer to the $45k question be?

Hamilton is often disregarded as a passing town on the way to a better holiday place. For me it is a town full of cows but not many people, where you go to with your science class on a day trip.

This beautiful weekend, though, I asked to go to Hamilton to its famous Gardens. It's possibly the only thing that is attractive about this town, but so worth the visit. In this immense terrain, there are numerous manicured gardens reflecting different ages and cultures - Indian, Chinese, American, European - as well as for different uses - sustainable, herb.

It is a zoo of gardens that is free for everyone to enjoy, to smell, to admire, to rest, to run about. We did half in the morning then came back after lunch for the other half. I wish we had had more time!

Loving the sunny hot weather right now, we even went for our first swim this weekend. Please stay here a while!

The earthquakes have returned. The morning after the midnight shock, I woke up to a page of Facebook notifications. S marked safe. M maked safe.

Huh, what is going on? How big was it this time?

Luckily, my parents in Christurchuch are safe, having been woken up by the unusually long shake episode they had felt in a long time.

Trying to reach my sister was harder. Text message, are you okay? Phone call, please leave a message after the tone. No answer for hours. Finally when I reach her, "Oh, I don't have any credit."

She sounded tired, it probably was a long sleepless turbulent night. Hope she is alright with all the after shocks, the cold wet windy weather isn't helping at all, and the tsunami warning.

The images of Kaikoura roads broken up, seaside turned upside down, and stranded cows, are shocking. It will take months to fix them up. What a disaster for the region just at the brink of the peak touristy summer season.

Friends check in on us from all over the world. Kia kaha, kia manawanui!

At the airport

Currency
It pays to get some local currency out in hard cash, as most card transactions incur international transaction fees. Your bank may have partnerships with another NZ bank where you can use their ATMs for free, though, like between BNP Paribas and Westpac.

Communication
Get a prepay sim card from any of Vodafone, Spark, 2degrees, and keep using your phone under a NZ number while travelling. Make sure your phone is unlocked beforehand.

Multi adaptors
We probably use a differently shaped power plugs from you. Get it from the nearest pharmacy or travel shop before your phone battery runs out.

Transport
From the airport, you can take either a taxi, a shuttle or a bus, in order of the most to least expensive, depending on the number of your travel party. Otherwise, you could call an Uber to pick you up.

Accommodation

Airbnb - live like a local while travelling
Bookabach - the Kiwi equivalent of Airbnb
Hotels - for a more luxurious experience
YHA/hostels - when you're feeling more budget
Woofing - living and learning while volunteering in organic farms
Holiday parks - while you are camping or on a road trip

Useful website

TradeMe - everyone in NZ uses this site to buy and sell things, find flatmates, compare insurance options...

Travelling around NZ

Jucy - rental cars and camper vans. They are popular and a bit on the pricy side, but their insurance is the most comprehensive. When renting a vehicle, make sure you have your International Driver's Permit or at least your normal driver's licence translate into English
Nakedbus & Intercity - the two main bus companies with routes nationwide
Bluebride & Interislander - the two main ferry companies across the Cook Strait between Picton and Wellington
Air NZ & grabaseat - the national carrier and its younger budget brand, respectively.
Bus cards - every city has its own transport network and its own card. In Auckland it's the HOP card. Wellingtonians have the Snapper, and in Christchurch you can get a Metrocard

Driving in NZ

Practise safe driving. Understand the common road signs. Everyone in our cars must have their seatbelts buckled in, even the passengers. There are many gravel roads. If you are not used to driving on the left hand side of the road, drive slower.

Groceries

Supermarkets 
Pak n Save, Countdown, New World. Probably in that order of the most bargains to the most quality range available. I shopt at Countdown most of the time, New World if I'm picking something near work. Don't forget your passport/driver's licence when buying alcohol, especially in the big supermarkets. In NZ, if you look under 25 you are systematically ID'd, so don't be offended.

Gourmet grocery stores 
Nosh and Farro are a little bit fancier than the three above. A bit pricier, too.

Farmers markets
They are not as big as the ones in Europe, nor as common. The chances are, they are weekend markets. I love going to these.

Supplies

A few useful shops along your journey may include the Warehouse - where everyone gets a bargain, Farmers - next level up in terms of quality, and Kathmandu - for your outdoor travel needs.

Eating out

Browse through the places I've been eating in New Zealand and take your pick. We love coffee here, especially lattes and flat whites. Fast food doesn't mean only McDonalds or Domino's. You'll see our streets filled with Sushi, Indian and Kebab places everywhere.

Read more on:

• Tips for travelling in Auckland
• Tips for travelling in the South Island
• Tips for travelling in the North Island

Here are some of the places I have been to and liked in the North Island:

• Cape Reinga - The tip of New Zealand, it is sacred to the Maori, whose spirit travel up here on their way to the afterlife underwater. This is also where the Tasman Sea meet the Pacific Ocean. 
• 90 Mile Beach - The beaches along the west coast have black sand while the east have white sand. The beach is actually only just over half what its name states, at 55 miles. Apparently measuring on horseback weren't the most accurate method back in the days, but the name has stuck.
• Waitangi/Russell - Both towns are historically important, as Russell was the first permanent European settlement and the founding documents of New Zealand, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed at, well, Waitangi.
• Waipoua Forest - This forest holds the two largest kauri trees in New Zealand, both thousands of years old. Kauri trees are native to New Zealand, is one of the most ancient trees still existing, so there is a great effort to conserve them. Make sure you clean your shoes before and after entering the kauri forests to keep any diseases that may harm them at bay. If you want to learn more about Kauri trees, the Kauri museum in Matakohe is worth a visit.
• Ngawha hot springs - There are hot springs where you pay to enjoy, then there are those that are local secrets and free. This one is probably the cheapest paid hot springs ever (at the time of this blogpost), where a range of water holes offer varying degrees of hotness.
• Bay of Islands - A popular holiday destination for Kiwis, this is the place to go for snapper fishing, skydiving, and dolphin watching.
• Tawharanui regional park - A recent discovery, and a new addition to my favourites list! This area is clean, though popular, with white sandy beaches, camping grounds, walking tracks, cows and sheep and native birds coexisting freely with the visitors. 
• Orewa beach - While Tawharanui is a beautiful spot, Orewa is my favourite 'local' beach becuase it's a lot closer to Auckland. Every chance I get, I would come here for a swim, beach tennis, reading sessions under the shade. I love!
• Muriwai beach - For those who are after a surf, Muriwai is a better bet than Orewa. It's usually quite windy here and can get quite dangerous if not careful. Remember to swim between the flags. You'll see a huge colony gannets, white seabirds with yellow heads. A loves the real fruit ice creams on the way here.
• Piha beach - Another good surf spot but probably a tad more wild, is Piha. There's even a TV series called Piha Rescue following the lifeguards saving swimmers in danger. 
• Raglan - Continuing on with the surf theme, here is a cool beach town all about surfing. Raglan is gaining reputation for its artisanat, as a number of increasingly popular local brands hail from this town, including Raglan coconut yoghurt, Sweet As popcorn, and Soul shoes, to name a few.
• Coromandel and Cathedral Cove - At one of the most pittoresque spots in New Zealand, A fell on one knee to pop the question, I said yes, and we are living happily ever after.
• Waihi - It's pretty quiet around here these days, but it used to be a prosperous gold mining town in its heydays, still in operation today. It also happens to be A's first home in NZ, though it had nothing to do with gold.
• Matamata - Other than the natural beauty, New Zealand is known as the filming location to the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit, among others. While they were filmed pretty much everywhere up and down the country, there is an official Hobbiton you can tour around. It's expensive, but is a must for the LOTR fans.
• Rotorua - It smells of rotten eggs here. Blame it on the geothermal activity bubbling away in the hot springs and shooting up geysers. A visit to a (very touristy) Maori village is worth it because it's probably the best place to experience the Maori traditional meal, hangi, cooked underground. Rotorua is also known for its mountain biking trails, and has the tallest commercial fall in the world (7m, grade 5), so if you are after an adventure, make sure you stop by.
• Taupo - The largest lake in New Zealand. Popular activities nearby include Huka Falls, hot springs in the nearby park (free!), and Great Lake Trail.
• Tongariro Crossing - Next to Lake Taupo is Mt Ruapehu, the largest active volcano in New Zealand, within Tongariro National Park. It is home to popular ski fields, and one of the nine Great Walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and the location of Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings. I loved the 8 hours of Tongariro Crossing and would highly recommend it to all visitors to New Zealand.
• Waitomo glowworm caves - I remember having done this when I was 5 years old. I still remember standing inside a dark wet cave, looking up, as the guide explained the uniqueness of these creatures lighting up the roof like tiny little stars, and carefully stepping into the boat. As a five-year-old I was awestruck. Perhaps you will be, too.
• Napier - Napier is unique for its art deco architecture, built after its 1931 earthquake. It is also known for its wines.
• Wellington - The New Zealand capital city of Wellington is also known as the city of winds. It's hilly, it's windy, but it's also artsy, hip and quirky. Visit Te Papa, the National Museum, tour the Beehive, the New Zealand parliament building, and drink at many of its famous cafes and craft beer spots. I seriously considered moving here before I decided to move to Melbourne instead. Next time I visit, I plan to eat at Pomegranate Kitchen, drink at Havana Bar and shop second hand on Cuba Street.

This is where I grew up. Many people say that the South Island is the real New Zealand- myself included. It's got that wild beauty New Zealand is famous for, with the crisp air and farming land that is quite different from the milder, more tropical northern weather.

• Picton - this is probably the gateway to the south if you are taking the ferry from Wellington, with or without your car. 
• Okiwi Bay - Top of the South Island is one of my favourite summer places in New Zealand, because it's the place of my fondest childhood memories. Scallop fishing in Okiwi Bay was definitely the highlight of that treasured family holiday, from dragging the scallops onboard, measuring for size, to shelling it back at the bach. Scalloping is banned here until further notice due to sustainability but this area is definitely on the top of my list.
• Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay - Continuing on with the top of the South Island, these places are absoultely gorgeous with golden sandy beaches. Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of the nine Great Walks, high on my dream list.
• Maruia Falls - At 10 metres, this is the tallest waterfall A has kayaked over during his kayaking trip around the South Island. Crazy!
• Franz Josef glacier - One of the most accessible glaciers in the world, you can admire it from afar or take a hike on it, itself.
• Mt Cook Hooker Valley track -  Mt Cook is the national mountain of New Zealand, and its Hooker Valley track is one of my family's favourite day trips outside of Christchurch. I love the nearby lakes Pukaki and Tekapo for their amazing blueness and stargazing.
• Queenstown & Wanaka - Queenstown is the adrenaline stop of New Zealand, and a must stop for tourists and Kiwis alike. Queenstown has activities to keep you occupied all year round. It's the home of bungy jumping, and is famous for its snow - along with Wanaka. It's where I went skydiving. Fergburgers are famous here, so make sure you try some before you leave.
• Milford Sound - When you are in Queenstown, you must also visit Milford Sound. It's been called the eigth Wonder of the World, it's that beautiful. It's a full day trip from Queenstown or Te Anau, but totally worth it. It's actually better to go when it's rainy than sunny.
• Dunedin - Dunedin is a charming town known for being a university town and Victorian houses. Dunedin is also NZ's Scottish town, its name being Edinburgh in Gaelic and its university buildings are the most beautiful in the country, in my opinion. It is also known for having the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street, as well as NZ's only castle.
• Central Otago pinot noir - As well as Dunedin, Central Otago is known for its pinot noirs. I like it better than sauvignon blancs, the wine New Zealand is best known for.
• Akaroa - Everything is 90 minutes away from Christchurch - Hanmer Springs, the Rotorua of the South, Mt Hutt, the main ski station in Canterbury, and Akaroa, the French town of New Zealand. Akaroa used to be under the French rule for a few months, back in the days when the British and the French were racing to claim the country as theirs. From Akaroa you can also see the world's smallest and rarest dolphins, Hector's dolphins.
• Christchurch - My lovely hometown. This city, once declared the most English city outside of England, is where I grew up, through primary, intermediate, and high schools. Nowadays it's better known for the earthquakes it endured and is still rebuilding from. The city centre may still show bare patches here and there, but it is still the gateway to the South Island if you are flying in. Some of my favourite Christchurch places to go are the C1 cafe and Alice in Videoland, Winnie Bagoe's pizzeria in Ferrymead, Farmers' market at Riccarton House, Hagley Park, Margaret Mahy playground, Re:Start container malls, Canterbury Museum, and, of course, my parents' house.
• TranzAlpine train ride - Christchurch to Grey Mouth scenic train journey is an alternative, and increasingly popular, option to the common car or plane transport that most people take. 
• Pegasus Bay winery - Possibly my favourite winery in New Zealand, and definitely one of the top wineries in the country. It's be an awesome place to have your wedding reception.
• Kaikoura - Kai means food and koura means crayfish, in Maori language. Put the two together, and Kaikoura is the place to have crayfish. I love crayfish! Normally there is a van on the side of the road that sells them for a bargain. 

Here are some suggestions of things to eat and to do during your time in Auckland. A and I get asked these questions all the time. This is an updated list to add to the previous one done a couple of years ago. There's always a sister of a friend of A's sister or another that's heading this way...

To eat

• @Bangkok - Starting an appreciation of Thai food these days, especially since all my sister ever wants to eat seems to be Thai whenever we meet up. This Thai place in Kingsland is highly rated by my partner A, and is one of the top cheap food places in Auckland. Will definitely take my sister here next time.
• Barilla Dumpling - A learnt to love dumplings during his time in Auckland, where there is a big Chinese community. Dominion Road, on which Barilla Dumpling sits, is fully of Chinese restaurants, but Barilla is especially known for its extensive range of dumplings. 
• Best Ugly Bagels - I don't envy the New York bagels nor the Montreal bagels, we've got our own Auckland Bagels and they are better than yours. You can also buy them in supermarkets nowadays, but the freshly oven baked ones are the best, especially from City Depot. 
• Burger Burger - Try bunless burgers, made healthier by swapping the buns for lettuce. Called bunnuce, it's a favourite of folks local to Newmarket. The fries drizzled with truffle oil is also delish.
• El Sizzling Chorizo - An Argentinian BBQ place in Ponsonby Central, when you feel like eating lots of meat surrounded by lots of young people.
• Faro Korean restaurant - Faro is a good restaurant to try out your first Korean experience in Auckland. It's where I took A for his first Korean BBQ, then we both took my French parents for their first ever Korean meal, too. If you are lost on what to try first, give Bibimbap a go, it's A's favourite. 
• Heart of Flavour - I love their pear tarts, lemon tarts, tamarillo tarts, just their tarts in general. Also their flourless orange cake. Their croissants are huge. It's a lovely place to stop by in the morning and we often buy a whole armful of sweet things to last us the whole week.
• La Voie française - Favourite bakery! The chances are, there will be a queue that often goes out the shop doors. The chances are, you will be served by a French person. There are quality bread coming out of its ovens according to the schedule on the board, quality approved even by my European friends who are usually utterly disappointed by the Kiwi bread standards. My Breton partner loves that they also have Kouign-amann, a speciality from his region.
• Le Chef - If you are ever here for a French dinner, I highly recommend their faux fillet for two, for a meaty meal done well.
• Mexican Café - This is a special place. It's where I met my partner! Mexican Café has been in Auckland for years. I love their fiesta decorations and Friday salsa nights. Filling food and fun ambiance makes for a happy time.
• Mexican Specialities - We love the talkative owner as much as its authentic menu, love that it's such a hidden gem and can never resist taking yet another jar of their secret recipe spicy BBQ sauce with us after a yet another filling meal. The beef taco is a go to for A, but I recommend you to go for the nogada in summer, the warm pozole soup in winter. All three are good, we can't stop recommending the place to people enough.
• Mexico - Mexico in Britomart used to be my absolute favourite place in Auckland, hands down. I could never get enough of their soft shelled tacos, whose menu changed every month, and its bright, crowded, warm Mexican interior, a mixture of Frida Kahlo and the day of the dead. 
• Moustache - A young girl dreamt of her own cookie and milk shop, and after several stumbles, she now owns a few, as well as a moving bus shop. I have followed her journey from its earliest days, and have been a supporter all along. Her cookies are famous, creative, and yum.
• No 1 Pancake - There is always a queue outside this tiny stall in the city centre, selling Korean style pancakes. They are a bit oily but cheap and makes for a nice small meal that you can eat on the go. 
• Orbit 360° Dining - I have not been here yet, but A promises me he will take me some day, soonish. Enjoy a full 360° view of Auckland from its highest point. At its best during sunset - apparently.
• Papa's Pizza - Favourite pizza place, to dine in or take away. It's a cute corner house for a cute date night. Otherwise in front of the TV with a beer in one hand and a slice in the other works fine, too. Always hanging onto my loyalty card.
• Pasta & Cuore - Favourite pasta place, all handmade. I love Italian food. It's tiny, always packed full, closes super early, so make sure you get the timing right, but once you get a table, you'll not want to leave. Stay for the dessert, just pray that they haven't run out of your favourite.
• Renkon - Its tiny alleyway shop in the city centre is my favourite out of all the Renkons in town. I have a fond memory of a lunch date with Dad here during my early uni days. The donburi shop does smaller portions, too, which I appreciate as a smaller than average person.
• Return of Rad - Best egg's benedict in Auckland, in my opinion. Pulled bacon and apple slaw is an unusual twist to the classic egg's benedict, but works so well. You need to go in the morning though, because this popular dish won't be hanging around all day.
• Satya - Favourite local Indian restaurant, recently painted in shocking pink, in Mt Eden. Their mango lassi isn't the best but I love to take away here for my curry fixes.
• Spicy House - A and I come here all the time, it's probably our favourite Chinese takeaway place. We even keep the menu printed out at home, so we can call and order over the phone, and by the time we arrive there, our food is ready to pick up straight away. The price for its portion is amazing.
• The White Lady - It's been in Auckland for ages, its burgers are legendary. If you are after a meal in the wee hours of the night that is not kebabs or McDonalds, you should definitely try a White Lady burger a go. 

To do

• University of Auckland - The reason why I moved up to Auckland at the age of 17. It's the top university in New Zealand, with many of its campuses spread out all over the Auckland city. 
• Auckland Museum - New Zealand's first museum. It's free for residents so we go whenever there is a cool special exhibition on.
• Maritime Museum - Auckland being the City of Sails, its maritime museum is pretty special. I remember going here with my Dad. Again, free for Aucklanders. 
• Mt Eden - Not only one of my favourite surburbs in Auckland, it's probably my favourite volcano, haha. There are many volcanic points to choose from, but from Mt Eden you can see an overview of the whole city. 
• Auckland Domain Wintergardens - Such a pretty place. There are two gardens, with tropical one and a winter one. It's calming to be surrounded by so much live exotic flora coexisting together.
• Wynyard Quarter/Silo Park - This is the happening place during summer in Auckland central, with food markets, giant bean bags on grassy mounds, artsy events, outdoor movie screenings. 
• Auckland Art Gallery - One of my favourite buildings in Auckland. It's an art gallery that is not stuffy or snobby. I love spending time at the gallery shop.
• Waiheke Island - Just a short ferry ride away from Auckland, I come here at least once every summer, beach and vineyard hopping. 
• Rangitoto Island - A good day trip 'outside' of Auckland. It's a decent walk up this symmetrical volcanic island, which also links to the nearby Motutapu Island.
• Mission Bay/Tamaki Drive walk - Possibly the flattest strip of Auckland. The Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay is a popular route for runners.
• K Road - Short for Karangahape Road, K Road is one of my favourite places in Auckland city. It's quirky, eccentric, full of retro shops and eateries.
• Night markets - There are markets at different locations on each day of the week. Usually in the car park space of a mall, they are bound to be rows of food stalls, filled with heaps of people, possibly with some live music.

How cool is this? The world's longest sea caves found by geologist Nicolas Barth while he was exploring our very own New Zealand! The Otago coast in the South Island has six of the ten longest sea caves in the world. Another moment of awe for the natural wonders that this country holds. Wondering how easy they are to access, I wouldn't mind exploring through one! Matainaka Cave, Otago Coast, New Zealand!

Video from Youtube/National Geographic

It's on everyone's lips: the housing market in Auckland is crazy high. It's on the newspapers every day. Compared to the average income of Aucklanders, the escalating housing prices is scary in comparison. Think Paris price (i.e. expensive), without as many attractions - museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants, bakeries... As a young hopeful future house owner, the possibility of getting a first home, soon and without any help, is pretty much impossible.

That doesn't mean we have given up hope for our first home, though. Never! It will happen... one day.

This week we went to another house auction. We've been to plenty of open homes by now, but this one was special. It was live on national TV. We had followed the journey from its purchase to full renovation. It was one of TVNZ's Our First Home houses on sale.

You would think that a house that's gotten national exposure and marketing would have sold for much more. The winning house of Our First Home season two went away with nearly $100,000 on top of their reserve price, as well as another $100,000 prize money. Well done to them! A and I are jealously discussing if we should apply for their season three. Will our parents be up for the challenge? However, the profit margin was shockingly minuscule for the other two houses, even without comparing to the first season's results.

All of these houses are in up and coming areas but by no means the closest to the city centre. It took my 40 minutes on train plus driving time to get to that auction earlier in the week. The (additional) price you have to pay on top of a decent affordable house is transport.

The rapidly rising housing market in Auckland could well be contributed to the sadly low results. They say the market is plateauing slightly, but who knows for how long. The search for the perfect right first home continues... Young Aucklanders, let's not give up hope!

Image from NZ Herald/Dean Purcell

A and I went to the movies this weekend to watch this fantastic New Zealand comedy. A foster kid goes bush with his reluctant caregiver. Glad to see a Kiwi film doing so well. Highly recommended. Hope you have a great start of the week.

Illustration by Toby Morris