At the Airport

Sitting here at the airport, waiting patiently to fly home.

What a rad 3 weeks. Campervan was definitely the way to go. We saw so much ... from Turquoise Lakes, to West Coast surf, to crystal clear beaches, to volcanoes, to thermal hot springs, to deep gorges, to rolling hillsides with sheep, to the big city of Auckland.

Spending time with T & K was a blast. Did some fun hikes, made many great cook-ups, and played some intense games of cards.

The 3 weeks with D & 170 was also great. Priggy D is now showing and its too cute. Can't wait to come home to see you all.

. M .

Tongariro . Taupo . Rotorua . Manganui

Sweet As .... From NZ.

Spent the last week touring up from the South End of the North Island, from Wellington to Bay of Islands.

First we saw Tongariro National Park. What a beauty. Hikes, mountains, waterfalls, and some fine wine and card games with T and K. Because it is up in the mountains, the nights got really cold. Thank goodness for our touques and layers.

Next it was off to Lake Taupo, where we hit up a natural thermal hot springs that flows into the river. Thermal Springs = Nice. River = cold. We then camped up on the river, with a nite time cookup.

Rotorura is an amazing place, with thermal activity everywhere. We stayed on the lake, and if you dig down a couple feet on the beach, you create your own little thermal pool to enjoy. We hit up the Arakai Koraka, which is a thermal park, filled with hot pools, bubbling mud holes and an amazing cave. We then headed into town, stopping at a well known NZ mountain bike park, where we rented some gear and shreaded.

From Rotorua, we headed to the coast to Manganui. The beach front parkup was amazing, with Mt. Manganui as a backdrop for an afternoon hike, offering amazing views, and a morning run to keep my fat ass trimmed. There was also a heated salt water pool to enjoy, which we did.

Some photos for you all .....

The hike up Mt. Manganui.

Views over Manganui.

Bubbling mud pools at Akarai Korako. Have to see it to understand.

Thermal pool.

River view at Taupo.

M and T enjoying the natural hot springs.

M . D. 170 . Tongariro Baby!

Tongariro Hike.

The Rapahue ski fields at Tongariro.

Volcano.

Waterfall times at Tongariro.

We are now in the Bay of Islands, soaking up the beautiful view and hoping for sun. The dark clouds have come in, with the accompanying winds and showers .... Hence the intraweb post.

Looks like it is a day for lattes, dice game, NZ Pies, and a rain jacket walk.

Hoping for sun tomorrow so we can get in one last kayak.

Sweet As.

. M . D . 170 .

PS - beard is less itchy ... but still feuntied.

North Tip Photos

Finally got some access to post some photos from the North End of the South Island.

Hangin out on the river.
Abel Tasman Kayaking rest stop.
Tree Hugger.
T-Dubs hittin it ... Long and Soft, Noodle Style.
M . D .
Drivnedge on the Kayak.
Turquoise waters....radical.
View of Abel Tasman coast from our walk.
Pretty.
Hangin out waiting for the water taxi to pickup at the end of a long day.

Enjoi.

- M . D . 170.

PS - My beard is getting itchy.

Abel Tasman and the North Coast

The last several days have been spent on the north tip of the south island. Arrived in sunshine style in the Abel Tasman and spent a day kayaking and hiking the trails, with a sweet water taxi back to camp. Like most days, the day began with sunshine, with some cloud and wind by late afternoon. This made for an interesting and wet ride back...good thing I had my rain coat with me. The paddling was very nice. We kept comparing to Thailand, which is so different, and not really comparable. We were still treated to crystal clear waters with nice sandy beaches. We even got to see an Aussie girl eat a raw greenlipped mussel, fresh from the rocks. Even saw a stingray, in the shallow bay waters.

Next we were on to the Tasman coast where we got in a nine hole golf game with Tom and Kat. Beautiful views over the coast. The course was up and down with lots of good views. Bit of a sheep pasture, but the sun and good company made up for that. After the morning round, we headed to the town of Nelson, for a city stroll and some groceries.

This morning we spent our time on the Queen Charlotte Track, hiking with magnificent view of the sound. Started in Sun...Ended in Rain. It was just a short walk, as we headed to catch the ferry to the north island. Craziest ferry ride ever...and we have had many ferry rides. Crossing the Cook Straight saw what felt like 20 foot swell. When we first got on the ship, we noticed puke bags in the seat pockets. We wondered what they were for, until we both felt like we needed them. Thankfully, these were not needed. All ended well and we are now in Wellington.

Our first Wellington experience was typical Mike fashion, with the Van keys locked inside. Thankfully, our parking neighbour noticed our issue and called a friend who happened to run a tow truck, who showed up 20 minutes later to jimmy open our door.

Can't seem to get photos posted....this computer is not making me happy...so maybe next time.

- M.D.170.

 

West Coast - South Island

So we have now made the tour up the West Coast and have landed in the Abel Tasman.

The west coast was beautiful. We travelled in a Caravan of Three. T&K, Ron and Janno (Kat's Dad and wife) and M.D.170. This caravan ruled the road, complete the walkie talkies between the lead and cleanup Van. We have seen so much ... Blue River Pools, Sheep, Rugged Mountains, Deer Farms, Sandflies, Ocean Views, Tui Birds, Roadside Rock Piles, Sheep, Glaciers, Goats, Hot Spring Pools, Sheep, Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes, Suspension Bridges ....

Travelling in the Van has been interesting. Staying organized with clothes, cameras, wallet, bedding, dishes, food, beer and of course the odd soda has been challenging, but fun. Driving on the wrong side of the road had a slight learning curve, but is now under control, except for the wipers turning on when trying to make a left turn.

Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure...

Now in the Abel Tasman to explore by Kayaking ....

Gotta go.

- M.D.170.

Christchurch to Wanaka

Kia Ora from New Zealand.

Arrived after a nice flight. M slept through 8 hours of it, while D got a little less. Wasn't as long as some previous ones were remembered. Tom and Kat were awaiting at the airport. It was awesome to see their smiling faces.

So we have spent the last several days make our way south from Christchurch to Wanaka. Spent one night on Sumner Beach, with a fire from a large dead bush that Tom used his arboriculter skills to chop down. Would have been a nice beach for a surf, but the winds were a little strong, so we just hung out, had some good eats and few drinks (a few more for Tom and Ron).

Our Jucy Campervan and T&K's home, parked for the night.

Also spent a day in Christchurch. Darcie in a door.
Cheeeese.

Camp Fire at Night.

The public wash house at the beach surf club.

After leaving the beach, we headed inland to visit "Big Tree".

Lake Tekapo. The most turquoise water we have ever seen. And Cold.

What a pretty family.

The shores of Lake Wanaka.

Onto the next journey to the West Coast to see the glaciers, rain forest and rugged coast. But not before a little scant trail walk around Wanaka Lake.

So far everyday suppose to have rain.....but not a drop. Got a pretty nice sunburn on my skull the first day. Wind, sun, heat, cold. No rain or snow YET. Just jinxed us opps.

Until later.

M . D . 170 .

Countdown

Only 6 more sleeps, till we hop on that plane and begin our next worldly excursion. It is gonna be great. We haven't seen T&K for almost a year now, and this itch is on.

So we fly direct to Auckland, then transfer to fly to the south island into Christchurch. From there, we pickup our campervan home and begin the 3 week journey back to Auckland, where we will fly home from.

The journey back is somewhat unplanned. There are a few spots we want to see, but no plans for time or route. We will see where the Van will take us.

- M & 170. (cause darcie had no comment on this one)