New Zealand is well known for it´s strict biosecurity rules. I got a free shoe wash and my tent has been inspected as well. Altough the officers have been very friendly it felt a bit like entering an airforce base.

The first days in Auckland have been crazy for me. I have been used in travelling independly for the last four month. Millions of tourists (mostly german backpackers...), expensive food and public transportation made me feel unconfortable quiet a bit. I realised: I need a vehicle soon!! I went to a car auktion, different market places and did many phone calls. One day I was even pretty close to buy myself a bike, just to escape from that mess.

Finaly I bought this Honda station wagon. It was not cheap and it is not in perfect shape, but it drives and I got a buy-back option by the dealer in auckland as well. I appreciate the street signs, they help me a lot driving on the other side.

I went straight to Rotorura where I got to know the kiwi guy Neil. He is really into US cars and he was keen to help me out with his tools and a set of used speakers. Seems like cars were a very big thing in this country.

Some work needed to be done. I built a sleeping platform with storage underneath - pretty much the same way I did it in the Subaru I drove in Canada. Yes, the broom stick came with the car..

Rotorura is the city with the most dynamic thermal activity in NZ. There is mud pools and steaming hot springs in people´s backyards. In addition you get to enjoy an intense eggy odour almost anywhere in town.