![[Route Map]](img/nz.gif "Map of New Zealand")
![[Foto]](north/thumb/17.jpg "Champagne Pool (Wai-O-Tapu, North Island)")
![[Foto]](south/thumb/55.jpg "View from atop Key Summit (Routeburn Track, South Island)")
New Zealand has been one of my dream destinations for a long time. Finally, in fall 2008, I spent just over two months there (as part of my RTW trip 2008/09). I truly fell in love with this country. The Southern Alps located on the South Island were especially worth the long trip.
So, it should not come as a surprise that I took the oppurtunity of an unpaid vacation in February/March 2013 to return to New Zealand. Again, I really enjoyed my stay.
![[Foto]](north/thumb/a0.jpg "Great Barrier Island (North Island)")
![[Foto]](south/thumb/dd.jpg "Mueller Hut Route (Mount Cook National Park, South Island)")
Some ten years later, I returned for a third time: In the course of my second RTW trip 2023/24, I spend two and a half months in New Zealand.
You may read more about all three stays in my blog (see Diary 2008/09, Diary 2013, and Diary 2023/24, respectively). Furthermore, there is a small photo album of the first two stays, and a separate blog photo album of my third stay.
![[Foto]](south/thumb/20.jpg "Kea (South Island)")
![[Foto]](south/thumb/c4.jpg "Tautuku Bay (Catlins, South Island)")