Back on the north Island

I have to face the truth,.... my time in NZ has nearly come to an end. I leave with many many good memories

During the last few weeks I have seen absolutely stunning scenery and made many new friends. In just 4 days I will head on to new shores (Fiji) for more amazing adventures (I hope). I think it is only fair to say that the natural beauty of NZ was one of the highlights of so far. It's not really fair to compare because the places I have been are wildly different but still, I have never been so in awe in the last 9 months. I can't count how many times I found myself just staring at the landscape in front of me.

This is probably also a good moment to look back and do a little review of my stray bus experience. I have to say, all in all I am really happy I did it. If I would have not travelled NZ with stray, I think I would have missed many tucked away places. Although their claim to take people further of the beaten track is not really valid. No place that gets 5-6 buses a week is of he beaten track if you ask me. Still, if I would have travelled by myself, I would have missed many little gems.

Did I always enjoy having to get on that bus? No. Sometimes I just didn't feel like being just another guy on a bus full of people. On the other hand it was really great for meeting new people. I think I met many new friends that I will stay in contact with and hopefully see again somewhere someday.

There is also a big downside to travelling with Stray though. It's not easy to meet locals. Besides some of the drivers, I have hardly ever spoken with a local. This is a shame if you ask me. But then you can't have everything right?

All in all I would recommend Stray to anybody. If your 18-22 and your more interested in partying and hooking up, you should probably pick the Kiwi Experience bus....

I left the South Island yesterday and currently stay in Wellington. From there it will be a 12h marathon back up to Auckland (tomorrow). I did my first, last and only museum visit in NZ today. If you only have time for one museum in NZ, you shouldn't definitely go to "Te papa" here in Wellington. It is really really good. Of course I enjoyed the photography exhibition the most.. what else ehy? Before I went to the museum I watched some dragon boat races down at the harbor. To be honest, I only did that because I wanted to see if I can get a good picture or two.

Seems I am doing just that a lot lately. For example when I go hiking, I don't go because I enjoy walking, but because I am looking for a good picture. I am really getting into photography. Feels like this is going to be a serious hobby of mine in the future!

Besides those two activities today I spent most of my time today trying not to fall asleep (finding sleep in a dorm is not always easy... especially on a Saturday evening) and thinking about my future travels. I don't know why but I don't think much about Hawaii or Fiji. Fiji I got covered and Hawaii, well I'll see what happens. I am investing a lot of time thinking about Alaska and Canada though. At the moment it looks like I will be doing something like the stray bus in Canada, then take a cruise up the coast to Alaska and eventually take the train to cross Canada. There are many questions still unanswered though. How will my time table look? What do I want to see in Alaska? How much time do I want to spend there? Will I be able to afford all of these things etc etc.

I am probably over thinking things... ah well... you know it's how I do..

The next time you hear from me I will probably be in Fiji

cheers


ps: I have no idea how Internet is while I am doing Island hopping in Fiji, so this might be my last post for 2 weeks or so
pps: As I am so tired, forgive me for grave spelling mistakes, forgetting words, abrupt change of topic or pace ;)



Random pose in random chimney on the seaside in Kaikoura
By law you have to stay 20 meters away from them... ah yes....
row bitches... row!
I laughed!

Milford Sound to Mt. Cook

Hey there

I welcome you all to the newest edition of my blog straight from Mt. Cook Village. Sorry for the longer than usual wait for it. I think the pictures make the wait worth though!

Before I go any further: My thoughts are with the people of Japan.
What's going on in this part of the world? Seems at the moment like there is one disaster after another.

Since my last post I have left Queenstown to make my way a bit north and then back all the way south. Actually right to the most southern point of NZ. Why did we head north first? Because we went to Milford Sound.

Milford Sound is one of the absolute must see's in NZ. If you don't know what a sound is (I didn't) it's a Fjord. Or so I think. I must admit though that I enjoyed the road to Milford Sound better than Milford Sound itself. Probably cause the weather wasn't the best, but then Milford is one of the rainiest places in New Zealand. NZ just seems to get prettier by the day and little did I know then that it would get even better. This night we stayed at Gunn's Camp close to Milford Sound. Essentially it's a collection of huts in nowhere. Lonely planet describes it as "ultra rustic". I think there is no better description. As you probably already guessed, I really loved it. I spent the evening making fire and sitting in front of it reading.

The next day we headed down south to Invercargill. Stray comes here because the ferry for Steward Island leaves here. I would have loved to go there but because I had to stick around Queenstown longer than intended (waiting for the birthday present i bought myself) I didn't have the time. First time I regret that I decided to leave NZ earlier. But the decision had to be made and that's the way it is now.

From here we went on, along the south coast, towards Dunedin. Sadly this meant I had reached the furthest I would get in NZ. I was heading back up to Auckland. Just a few more days and I will have to leave this great country. Nothing much to say about Dunedin though. Well maybe a little something. From what I got told, there are lot's of Scottish descendants here and the city itself is fashioned after Edinburgh. Actually Dunedin is Edinburgh in Gaelic.. I have no Idea if that's true though. They have a few nice buildings that sets it apart from the other cities in NZ but I still think Queenstown is the best city I have been to here.

From Dunedin we headed straight on to Mt.Cook. I know Mountains from home but this place is absolutely breathtaking. From the moment I saw it, I couldn't take my eyes of it. I don't think the pictures do the mountain any justice. You have to come here and see for yourself! This must be one of the most beautiful things I have seen in my life! I was really lucky too because usually the mountain is shrouded in clouds, but the day we arrived the sky was as clear as can be.

That's all for now. Gotta go back to think about Fiji, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. Much planning to do.

have a great day all!

Queenstown as seen from one of the mountains around it. Never have I been in a city with a mor beautiful surrounding.
Mirror Lake on the way to Milford Sound.
The road to Milford Sound.
Milford Sound. The weather was too bad to take better pictures.
Wildlife on the most southern tip of NZ.
Trainstation in Dunedin. I thought I would post a picture taken in a city between all the nature pictures.
Mt. Cook
Mt.Cook
Walking back to the village from Mt. Cook
Twilight view from the Hostel at Mt.Cook Village.

It's getting colder

Hi all

As I keep heading south, it keeps getting colder and at the some time the scenery is getting more stunning. I sometimes just stare at the mountains! In the last few days I have made my way from Franz Josef to Makarora and on to Queenstown.

I was supposed to stay in Franz Josef for 4 days but decided to stay only 2 because the weather was not getting any better. I guess there is a reason why there is a rain forest at the foot of the Glacier. I travelled on to Makarora and stayed there for 3 nights instead. Was the weather much better? Not really. Actually it was colder. Did I enjoy it nonetheless? hell yeah!

Makarora is in the middle of nowhere. There is something that serves as shop, gas station, post office, restaurant and pub at the same time. There is a camping ground (serviced by that all in one shop) and a few huts serving as motel, hostel and hotel. That's it.. oh wait I forgot the Information Center for Mt. Aspiring National Park. So essentially there is nothing there. I loved it! Do you begin to see a pattern here?

On my second day there I was more or less the only guest. Sure a few people stopped at the restaurant to have a bite or to get some gas but beside that the place was deserted. I so(!!) wanted to stay there for longer! Since I moved my flights though I don't have the luxury to do such a thing. Do I regret moving the flights? maybe, but I had to make a decision and I made it.

I am currently in Queenstown where I will stay for four days. It's a beautiful place (pictures will follow) but it's not that great that I would want to stay for so long. I am staying because I am getting my birthday present delivered here. I bought myself an Ereader (kindle if you must know).. finally. Can't wait to get it! Yes it is my birthday on Monday.

Dear folks at home, sorry but I have no credit on my phone so I won't be able to receive calls. I get text msgs though.


On the 10th I will head further down south.. I am excited as can be because, if the north Island is beautiful, the south Island is just flabbergasting! Want to see more!

I don't have many pictures this time around cause the weather in Franz Josef was too bad to do anything and I went more for quality in Makarora than quantity.

thanks for stopping by, always appreciated!



On the morning we left Franz Josef the weather was clear for the first time since we got there. Sadly all I got was this snap shot from the hostel.
Mt. Aspiring National Park
More Mt. Aspiring National Park
Aaaand even more!