New Zealand (North Island)

Raw landscapes, powerful nature, and cities that feel human-sized rather than overwhelming, that's how I would describe the North Island. It’s an island where distances look short on a map but experiences feel vast, and where plans often have to bow to weather, geology, and the rhythm of the land.

I started in Wellington, a city that surprised me with its personality. Compact, creative, and windswept, it feels more like a large village than a capital. Cafés are everywhere, the food scene is lively, and there’s a strong sense of culture and identity. Walking along the waterfront, especially at sunset, you really feel how closely the city lives with the sea.

Exploring Tongariro National Park has been a real adventure. Tongariro is one of the most iconic landscapes in the North Island, home to volcanic terrain that feels almost unreal, with dramatic peaks, crater lakes, and open alpine plains. Unfortunately, during my stay the weather had other plans. For almost a week, conditions were so unstable that the mountain pass was closed for safety reasons. It was a good reminder that in New Zealand, nature sets the rules. Even when you don’t get to do the hike, just being in the area, seeing the clouds move fast across the volcanoes, and feeling how wild and exposed the land is gives you a deep respect for this place.

Auckland was a complete change of pace. Bigger, more dynamic, and spread out between land and water, it’s a city built on volcanic hills and surrounded by bays. What struck me most was how nature is never far away: beaches, islands, and viewpoints are all within easy reach. Auckland isn’t necessarily love at first sight if you are only looking for nature, but it grows on you, trust me. It’s a gateway city, a place where cultures mix and where you start to understand how diverse New Zealand really is.

Rotorua was one of the most intense experiences of the trip, in the best possible way. The smell of sulphur hits you before you see anything, and suddenly the ground feels alive. Rotorua sits on a geothermal hotspot, and you can feel it everywhere: steam rising from the earth, bubbling mud pools, and hot springs scattered across the landscape. Beyond the geothermal activity, Rotorua is also a key place to connect with Māori culture, where traditions, stories, and a strong relationship with the land are still very present.

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland took that geothermal experience to another level. Walking through the park feels like stepping onto another planet: vivid colors, steaming craters, and mineral-rich pools that seem almost artificial, yet are completely natural. The contrast between bright greens, deep blues, and rusty oranges is striking, and it really drives home how young and restless this land still is beneath the surface.

Traveling through New Zealand’s North Island taught me flexibility and how to be patience (of course I am referring to the fact that no, I did not see the Tongariro at all). Plans can change, hikes can be cancelled, and weather can turn in minutes, but that’s also part of its magic. It’s a place that asks you to slow down, adapt, and observe. And when you do, it rewards you with experiences that feel real, powerful, and deeply connected to the land.