After having hiked the Overland Track in Australia, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in New Zealand, before heading off to South America on my Around the World journey.

In 2012, I spend six months in this wonderful, adventurous country. That time, I lived on campus at Lincoln University, near Christchurch. Four years later, I landed at Auckland Airport, and wanted to explore some outdoor adventures on the Northern Island.

Caving, or “black water rafting” at Waitomo Caves, was something totally new: rappelling, swimming, and tubing through underground gorges, rivers, and waterfalls, all in the dark. Out of this world.

Hiking Mount Taranaki in the early season was definitely a challenge. Listen to local advice and bring proper gear! From tropical vegetation and temperatures at the base, up steep rocky and snowy slopes, I met almost white-out conditions and near freezing temperatures at the top of this amazing volcano.