The three days following Auckland were spent in a rental car, winding through the Coromandel Peninsula and the scenic East Cape of the north island.
My first time driving on the left side of the road was a bit stressful at first (though only slightly less relaxing than being a passenger during Allie's first time!). I guess NZ's largest city was not the easiest place to try that out. Nonetheless, we both got the hang of it and spent the next three days discovering the indescribable beauty of the coastline here.
A Kiwi family we met at our cabin in Opotiki the first night told us that the next morning's drive (Hwy. 35 on the north coast) was considered one of the three most scenic coastal drives in the world. Having been through Big Sur we thought this was a pretty bold statement, but they were right - I have never been so taken aback by scenery around every new turn. Blue-green ocean and perfect beaches on one side, lush tree-covered mountains on the other. As we went along, we also went in and out of golden hills of countryside (with lots of sheep, of course!)
We continued on in our Toyota Corolla of happiness through the next two days, stopping in tiny towns along the cape when we felt like it and Napier for the night. Amazingly, the East Cape is not a big tourist area (apparently due to its lack of accessibility) and has the most prominent Maori population in New Zealand. In my opinion, anyone that bypasses it is missing out.
Aside from a bit of driving stress, so far New Zealand is definitely the 'easiest' place I have ever traveled. The people and environment couldn't be nicer, and everything is so accessible. Knowing how much work travel usually requires for each moment of fun, I am starting to feel spoiled here - but at the beginning of this multi-country trip, I think I'll hang on to this feeling to recall someday when I'm sweaty, tired and hungry trying to find my way around Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.
Yes, this place is truly a reward.
