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... 

The greenest greens, the bluest blues.
Rivers meet the sea. Farmland till your eyes can see.  
Waves hit the rocks, surfers hit the waves.
Tides come, tides go. 
​Boats set sail. Shells line up. Stars shine bright. 
And the sun paints the sky with the colours of the rainbow.

Whangarei. Your fresh air makes our skin glow. :)

This is basically it when I want to sum up the last few days spent in Whangarei. Found the perfect spot to relax and soak up with energy and the breathtaking surroundings. Just the regular stuff. Watch some surfers, pick shells, go fishing and eat fresh fish, enjoy the smells of the farm and the belly warming feeling of the electric fence while checking out some cows... ;)

And nature keeps inspiring. And what needs to happen always happens.

Just like this sunset. With the huge rock appearing in the tiny shell.

​Chrystal clear...

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!

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...

I shot this video on our fascinating trip to the Northland, on 90 Mile Beach - one of the most amazing beaches I have ever been to.

I was particularly focusing on a little detail here.

This beach is extremely wide, beautiful, with colourful shells lying around, waiting for the waves to come by... This is their special perspective... A perspective I really and truly love!

I love long weekends. The first long weekend that came up since our arrival was Labour Day weekend. New Zealand celebrates it on the 4th Monday of October. It is very similar to the May 1 celebrations in Europe. It marks the beginning of the official BBQ season. Gardening stores fill up their spring flower stocks and go on huge sales with a myriad of colours in blossom. They also start heating the pools, slowly paving the way for summer days. :) ​A perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and escape into pure nature.

Labour Day couldn't have happened in a better moment. This year. For us. This long weekend was a special one. We celebrated. A first birthday. Parenthood. Ourselves. :)

So we picked a special place to visit. We went to discover the most Northern part of the North Island, the Far North, the tip of New Zealand, aka the Northland region. Where the road ends. Where the seas meet.

It was a bit rainy, grey day today. October is like April in Europe. Spring, but changes its mood often. April is playing the fool with you. Or October. :) It is a bit confusing that it is spring instead of autumn... 

Hi guys! Living by the water is just amazing! Especially if you like treasure hunting, like we do. There is always so much to discover. There is of course the sea, the ocean, the waves, digging in sand, walking barefoot. But what if you take a closer look? Shells, crabs, oysters... Today I am posting this little seaside collection to give you an idea what you can find here around Auckland, New Zealand.  Feel like a kid again :)

This time I invite you, dear reader, to come along for a little virtual tour to the Northern part of the South Island, the breathtaking Tasman Bay area. We will visit the surroundings of Motueka and Kaiteriteri. Excited? Me so much! :)

Where green mountains and turquoise green-blue sea meet in such a sweet embrace. Where colours of the nature are so vivid and energising, yet everything so peaceful and calming. Where the golden sandy beaches reflect the warm glimmering sunshine. Where playful waves wash the shores and happy seashells, long and round alike, travel along the tide. Where puffy white clouds paint the sky pink with the setting sun.  Where your body and soul refreshen with the warmth and positive energies of our Earth.

Oh, I sometimes wish I was a poet. There are simply no words to describe the beauty one can experience in this part of the world… Let the pictures speak to you. Nature at its best! :)