![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231105_100327-1038x576.jpg "Mount Maunganui from the summit")
Now I am starting my exploration of the Bay of Plenty, the large bay in the north-east of the North Island of New Zealand. My first stop was in Tauranga. However, I basically only slept there. All my activities have taken place elsewhere, in the surroundings of the city. Continue reading At the heart of Bay of Plenty
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231104_084700-1038x576.jpg "Whangamata Beach")
Water in Whangamata
I really hope this is not the start of a “Water” series. Unfortunately, also in Whangamata, the water was not only the attraction, but also sometimes also a bit of a killjoy (in the form of rain, of course). Continue reading Water in Whangamata
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231102_112801-1038x576.jpg "Karangahake Gorge")
Remnants of gold diggers
Today was dedicated to the gold diggers of Karangahake Gorge – or (more precisely) what they have left behind. Continue reading Remnants of gold diggers
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231101_101304-1038x576.jpg "Trounson Kauri Park")
Giants of the forest
After Hokianga Harbour, I explored the Kauri Coast. As the name suggests, this area boast some (very) large Kauri trees. Continue reading Giants of the forest
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231031_111603-1038x576.jpg "Coast South of Hokianga Harbour")
Fog in Hokianga Harbour
Slowly, the rain is receding. However, it has been replaced by low-lying clouds. Still, I was able to explore Hokianga Harbour a bit. Continue reading Fog in Hokianga Harbour
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231029_101249-1038x576.jpg "Otuihau Whangārei Falls from below")
Water in Whangarei
As during my last stay in Northland, the Northern-most part of New Zealand’s North Island, water has dominated my stay – unfortunately also in the sense of rain. Continue reading Water in Whangarei
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nz-fern-1038x576.jpg "Dicksonia squarrosa")
Kia Ora, Aotearoa!
Long-term readers of my blog know what this title means: I am once again in New Zealand!
However: It is a bit chilly here.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231025_122514.jpg "Approach on Tahiti")
Farewell to the South Pacific
After 20 days in French Polynesia, my stay in the South Pacific is now coming to an end – exactly where it started: in Papeete. Continue reading Farewell to the South Pacific
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231022_111525.jpg "South-Western Rangiroa")
Atolls of the South Pacific
For my last stop in French Polynesia, I said goodbye to the Society Islands (and therefore to the mountainous islands inside a lagoon). Instead, I moved on to the Tuamotu archipelago: older islands where only the surrounding reef remains, in the middle of which there is a large lagoon. Continue reading Atolls of the South Pacific
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231020_105122-1038x576.jpg "Fiti'u'u Point")
Ambivalent South Pacific
Bora Bora is the closest to an South Pacific dream destination (at least so far). However, there was also an incident here that marred my experience somewhat. Continue reading Ambivalent South Pacific