Aotearoa – the Māori name for New Zealand, translated: “The land of the long white cloud”.

I’m starting to plan the trip around the islands, after my three weeks in Auckland.

Here’s my itinerary for the North Island, or Te Ika-a-Māui (“the fish of Maui”). I booked cheap stays in between. Seems there are some hot springs with mud baths. I’ll do that.

Also rented a car and found out if I book it one day more, the total price goes down by 200 NZ$…. while the Lufthansa FTL discount didn’t change anything in the price… Well, then…

After that I’ll spend a couple of days in Wellington.

From there, over with the ferry to the South Island, or Te Waipounamu (“the water(s) of greenstone”) and then on to Christchurch by car, and on to Queenstown, before flying back to Auckland and then out to Tokyo.

Alternatively, I could also take a plane from Wellington to Christchurch and then drive… I still have to make up my mind. It’s so hard to choose with so many possibilities… but ok, I shut up… #FirstWorldProblems.