Looking for the best place for an unforgettable picnic? A day out that you will remember for the rest of your life? Search no more! We found it! It's called Wenderholm, and it's one of the most beautiful and actually the very first Auckland regional parks that was opened to the public in 1965! And only half an hour's drive North of Auckland. A real hidden treasure, definitely not overcrowded by tourists.

Breathtaking pohutukawas, a wide variety of beautiful trees, lush coastal forests, the smell of the sea, the sound of the waves, a colourful variety of chirping birds, tranquility and happy giggles, a fascinating estuary, a lot of green space to relax and unwind, barbecues, walking tracks, a campground and even a historic house awaits. ​So so worth, an absolute must see and a "must feel" if you have some time to discover the region. :) Here are my favourite moments, and who knows, they might inspire you to pay a visit one day... 

This is my tribute to Rangitoto. The landmark. The icon. I have been watching this view, this volcano, this beach for over a year now. Looking at it. Passing by it. Enjoying it. Every single day. 

​Constant change. And never-ending permanence. Colours, seasons, clouds go by. Yet, this beautiful volcano, always the same. Rising strong. No matter what. Between sky and the sea.

It taught me a lot. About life. And how I (decide to) see things.

It's been an endless source of my inspiration. This is my collection of his many faces. I hope you enjoy. :)

An inspiring guide through Auckland's best part. Discovering the waterfront. Watching the city awaken, the sun shine shyly through the clouds, the colours come to life.

Exploring those little moments we tend to enjoy. Many of us. Anywhere. Any day. :) 

Local lines. Global vibes.
​Bringing you some beautiful inspiration. Got a moment to explore? :)

I woke up very early today. Everything was so quiet. Still dark. For some time, I didn't know what to do, I'm absolutely not used to waking up at this time. But then I looked out of the window. 

The moment of sunrise...

And a sudden adrenaline rush. Excitement. A quick and spontaneous decision.
​I headed to the beach. I wanted to be there. To see this!

Red poppies. Delicate flowers, nevertheless very resilient. 

I started noticing their appearance already on that particular Friday just before Anzac Day. Poppy Day, as they call it here. As I learned later, for women, on their right, for men, on their left. Pinned to the clothes.
Poppies... Symbols of remembrance. And hope. They were the first flowers to grow and bloom on the muddy battlefields.

April 25 marks a special date in the Kiwi calendars - it is the commemoration of Anzac Day. Probably one of the most important national occasions, too. Remembering the soldiers of New Zealand and Australia who landed at Gallipoli in 1915 during WWI. Honouring those lost and those returned. From every battle, ever since. In 2016, this occasion even more special. 100 years have passed since the organisation of the very first Anzac Day service in 1916. A centenary for NZ to participate in the war.

A travel back in time… and perhaps a way to look into the present and the future. Despite all controversies. This was Anzac Day through my lens...

Festivals. I haven’t really been a festival person per say. Not that I don’t like to have fun, music, and dance. :) It’s just that the festivals I have known so far - mostly musical - never really attracted me truly, deeply. I enjoyed them, but I never really felt the “HELL YEAH” feeling. Neither during, nor after. They never enriched me with an experience of a lifetime, or unforgettable memories. Except for some dance festivals. 

I guess now all this is changing. During the past few months living in New Zealand, my world has grown wide open. (And I thought it was already pretty wide…) In many many walks of life. Including the festival scene. ​Here are some of my reflections after amazing Earthbeat.

I'm an absolute flower person. And a plant person. And a tree person. No wonder I have been so looking forward to our visit to the Auckland Botanic Gardens. A beautifully and well designed huge space that welcomes every visitor right from the start!  And where culture meets nature. For free!

Huge waves. Incredibly huge. They start forming somewhere far away... Where the water meets the sky. Where blue meets blue. Then they get closer, building up slowly. Power, height, strength, curls. Everything. And that moment when they turn white. Ohhh I love that moment! So wild!
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I look down from the top of the cliffs. Gazing towards the blue horizon. Watching the surfers. Excitement in the air. Waiting. Waiting for the right moment. Waiting for the right wave...

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved spending time on the beach. Walking barefoot in the sand, toes splashing in the water. Sun caressing my face. Wind playing with my hair. The salty smell of the ocean in my nose. The chirping of the seagulls. Listening to the little stones, sea shells dancing in the water. Riding with the waves. And then washed ashore. Taking a sunbath...

Today is a special day. Santa in town! Excitement in the air. Boots polished and carefully placed in the windows, waiting to be filled up with chocolate Santa figures, candies, oranges and apples, small presents wrapped up in red Santa bags. Fingers crossed not to get golden twigs instead, that only goes for the naughty ones. Then it's bedtime. While everyone is sleeping their sweetest dreams, a nice, old man dressed up in red, with long white beard, with a big red bag full of presents, traveling from house to house, in the dark, in secret, distributes his little gifts that will make the day of many kids the following morning. Twinkles in the little eyes...