Hallo ihr Lieben, (do scroll..some of it is in english too). 
unfassbar, aber wir sind am Ende unserer Reise angelangt!
Die letzten Tage im Camper haben wir ganz im Norden der Insel verbracht und bei überwiegend schönem Wetter Strand und Meer genossen. Es gibt einen Strand der sich '90 miles beach' nennt und sich tatsächlich schier endlos hinzieht.
In der vorletzten Nacht hat unsere Stromversorgung noch den Geist aufgegeben, so dass wir den Abend bei Kerzenschein verbringen mussten. Nach ewigen Telefonaten ist es uns dann gelungen, für den nächsten Tag einen Termin in einer Werkstatt auf dem Weg nach Auckland zu vereinbaren. Hier konte der Fehler schnell gefunden und das defekte Kabel ausgetauscht werden. So hatten wir zumindest für den letzten Abend wieder Licht und einen funktionierenden Kühlschrank. Die Rückgabe des Campers hat uns dann nochmal eindrucksvoll vor Augen geführt, was wir in den letzten Wochen nicht vermisst haben: Koffer packen! Fast 2 h haben wir damit verbracht, aus der Kiste wieder auszuzuiehen. Dafür haben wir uns in Auckland für 4 Nächte ein 2 Bedroom apartment gegönnt... mit eigener Dusche :-) Auckland ist eine tolle Stadt. Sie ist deutlich grösser als FFM und wirkt doch viel ruhiger und relaxter. Tagsüber sind wir zumeist durch die Innenstadt geschlendert und haben ein wenig geshopped (u.a. gab es einen neuen großen Koffer, um den ganzen Krempel, der sich offenbar unbemerkt in den letzten Wochen zusätzlich angehäuft hat, unterzubringen) und Kaffee getrunken, um dann abends in eines der unzähligen Restaurants zu gehen. An Simones Geburtstag haben wir einen kurzen Fährtrip nach Devonport gemacht und den Mt. Victoria bestiegen, der mehr Hügel als Berg ist aber dennoch einen tollen Blick auf central Auckland bietet.
Abends haben wir uns ein Abendessen im 'Clooneys' gegönnt, vermeintlich eines der besten Restaurants der Stadt. Glücklicher Weise hatte uns Alison den Babysitter ihrer Kinder vermacht: Sam - ein 16 jähriges Auckland Girl, das sich rührend um unsere beiden gekümmert hat. Stella war ganz begeistert, dass Sam ein großes 'Schulekind' ist und war ganz brav. So hatten wir beide das erst mal nach 2 Monaten einen Abend für uns alleine. Auf dem Rückweg vom Clooneys haben wir den Taxifahrer gebeten, einen Umweg über die Franklinstreet zu fahren. Traditionell haben alle Häuser dieser Strasse eine festliche und meist sehr originelle Weihnachtsbeleuchtung und wenn diese fehlt, steht zumindest eine Entschuldigung dafür am Haus.

To add a few other points about our 5 week travels in nz...just so that we remember
1. people really drive very slowly...
we ve overtaken many many normal cars speeding along in our campervan. coming to think of it this may actually mean that we re raving german motor lunatics and the kiwis are relaxed and considerate drivers, who arent stressed or in a hurry. Lucky them!

2. there is no ikea in nz
Wow. How do people survive? Quite unclear to us. Alison said she stocks up whenever she s in australia...

3. things in general do take their time.
For example, you order a take away coffee and you get a number. And then you wait...and wait...and wait. Yup. Definitely longest wait for a latte on the planet.

4. there are almost no native mammals in nz, just birds!
I didnt know this at all. So except for some bats (apparently mammals) all mammals like sheep, cows, horses etc have been introduced. 

5. people are vey friendly, hospitable and helpful
As for example the lady who gave johann a lift when we ran out of petrol, the expert camper in picton who was happy to examine our toilet waste box which we thought was spilling when driving, and of course the ever so helpful, welcoming and super cool lepper family! Have a great time in russell guys!

6. nz is a deserted place it will seem to us europeans
Not just on the south island. Also auckland seems rather empty, there seems to be no traffic jams, no commuters queueing to catch buses, and even the best restaurants require no reservation mid week. Plus the shops shut really early, some around 4pm, most definitely before 6pm. I guess its because here just isnt enough people to shop...

7. we did love the food in auckland...so varied and so innovative...it was exciting and new, even the salads at the leppers house had a twist and i will try that pommegranade one as soon as we re back.

8. nzers just love being barefoot. 
I swear you will never see so many people on socks or barefoot than in nz. A classic was the auckland melbourne flight. All shoeless! No need to ask where are you from! Am openminded. Barefoot definitely fine at home. But honestly...in the supermarket...in public toilets..? Ohuh, not one for me. The toilet is just a total no go as far as i am concerned.

But: 9. nz has brilliant public facilities
There is probably no other place as well equipped as nz for families to travel. Public toilets, nappy changing facilities and best in class campgrounds everywhere. So guys...highly recommended you go. 

It is truly an amazing place!
Die 4 Tagen in Dubai waren phantastisch. Strand, Pool und Sonne satt. Stella hat es so geliebt und war ca. 3 h/Tag im Wasser. Und ihr kleiner Bruder hat sich begeistert angeschlossen. Gut verpackt mit einer Schwimmwindel hat er den Pool erobert.
Alles in Dubai ist superlativ. Das höchste Gebäude der Welt, das ca. 900 m in den Himmel ragt, eine der größten Shopping Malls (Dubai Mall), die 'dancing fountain', ein Wasserspiel, das bunt angestrahlt rhythmisch zu klassischer Musik bis zu 30 m in die Höhe sprudelt... Alles gigantisch.
Jetzt haben wir zum letzten Mal unsere Koffer gepackt und sitzen im Flieger irgendwo über der Türkei. Tristy pennt in seiner Bassinet (immer nur so lange es keine Turbulenzen gibt - dann muss er geweckt und rausgeholt werden, um sich sicher anzuschnallen. Üblicher Weise wenn das Essen vor einem steht...) und Stella schaut zum 3. Mal Rapunzel.
Es war eine tolle Reise, wir haben so viel erlebt, tolle Erfahrungen gemacht, Zeit für einander gehabt. Tristy ist zunehmend mobil geworden, inzwischen robbt er schon zügig zu seinen Zielen. Wenn ich in den Spiegel schaue und meine Haarlänge betrachte, waren wir ganz schön lange unterwegs. 

So...sitting on the plane and having watched my first movie, johann has nagged me to blog some more. 
So there. 
What remains for me. Difficult question. Am actually surprised our trip is over already, but on the other hand it HAS been a long time. 
It was a fantastic trip, and am finding it hard to put my finger on THE most memorable or THE best thing about it.
What i liked was that it was all so varied and different. And that we saw so much, travelling around and exploring.
If i had to do a Top 5 it would probably be (in no particular order):
* sydney- we did it all there, sight seeing, dining/drinking out, pierced ears, beaches and shopping- it remains a brilliant place, with a fantastic vibe. Loving it.
* nz south island. The alpine area around queenstown, the lakes and the milford sound were all amazing, and although i loved all of nz, this was probably the most impressive.
* philip island, australia. This is in there as this little island to me offered so much- making our 3 nights there totally memorable. Obvioulsy loved the little penguins making their way back from the beach. But also remember the fab picnic we had in the winery with music, sunshine, food and drink. Although sorrento does not count as philip island, it kind of does as its very close...i did find the swimming with dolphins and seals quite memorable. It was freezing, yes, but i will not forget the sight of those 2 dolphins swimming directly under me when i put my head under water.
* the whale- whilst we re talking of seals and dolphins. Spooting and finding it in the frist place, but also witnessing it, and of course the helicopter ride to get there
* singapore- its in my list as i did not expect it to have become such a cool place ever since i visited last 20 years ago. So much to do, and so many weird and wonderful things. I really enjoyed the night safari
* ah, i have to put a number 6. the wildlife in australia. Was just amazing to see koalas, kangaroos, wallabees, wombats etc up close.
Other than that, yes, the time we were able to spend together as a family. In good (eg the fantastic weather and relaxing time we had at able tasman) and bad times (no power in the campervan for 2 days as our cable broke...the pouring rain in russell), and with the ordinary stuff, like waking up the four of us together every morning. Tristy has developed and grown lots, but so has stella. She is such a big girl, and an even bigger sister to her brother. Just checked with her what her favourite was of our trip and she says, dubai. I guess she loved the pool there, the superb breakfast buffet, the kids club, the sunshine and the camel and pony riding she did. May as well as i havent mentioned it above in the top 6 although it does actually deserve a mention as its a truly spectacular place, so futuristic.
So, what does remain? Brilliant memories. Tons of photos and a gasping hole in our bank accounts. 
BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY!
After 9 weeks away, am looking forward to my own bed tonight and so are my fellow travel companions. Guys, what a wonderful time the four of us had!
As far as you, our followers, are concerned, thanks for tuning in, we'll be looking forward to catching up with you in person very soon- if its not before or at christmas, have a very merry one!

Lots of love

Stella, Rufy, Johann and Simone
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