On the road again

After 9 Month without family I picked up my mum at the 3.10. in Queenstown. Suddenly I wasn't alone anymore. We went up to SnowPark at the same afternoon. Mary organized an amazing stuff party for the end of the season. My Mum was invited as well and we had a great evening with awesome food, a brilliant room and an amazing brunch the next morning.

The next day I managed the move out of our lovely house in Wanaka. It was a great time with my flaties and I will miss it to come "home" and chill out on our deck.
On the road with my Mum we went down to Te Anau to visit the glow worm caves and further to Invercargill where I needed a new Windscreen and Warranty of Fitness for my truck. From here we drove along the East Coast towards Dunedin and further on to Christchurch. On the way we stopped several times for short strolls along the beaches or like in Oamoru to visit the Penguins. The entrance fee to see the landing of this small creatures at dusk is 30$ per person. Cameras are not allowed. We hurried in passed the counter and went to the beach side. stopped by no one. shortly later the penguins came and went slowly over the beach into their caves. cute! 10 Minutes and we went. On the way out I found out about the price and we quickly made our way into the car and towards Christchurch. No one had charged us :-)
Another day off in Christchurch and time to sort out some paper stuff and my Mum went for a shopping tour into the city.
Next day we drove over the spectacular Arthurs Pass towards the West Coast. While a nice 2h walk in the native forest at Arthurs Pass some Keas ripped my saddle bag from my bike on my car roof. wracked the rain cover, the bag itself, pulled out my spare tyre and ripped it as well. Nasty parrots.
The next night we stood in New Zealands best Hostel in in Punakaiki. The Te Nikau Retreat. The favorite place to stay!! Don't miss it if you ever come over :-) It is not just because of this Hostel worth, it is as well worth for a long walk into the amazing native forest which grows down to the beach. Here I walked as well the Inland pack Track earlier this year. From here we passed Levis Pass towards Kaikura back to the East Coast. My Mum invited me to a Greyfish as Birthday Meal direct at the Beach BBQ stand near the Fur Seal colony. Yummy.
In rainy weather we crossed the Cook Strait and my Mum wanted to sea so much the Dolphins which can sometimes been spotted. But not with 50m view :-(
Another rainy day in the capital of NZ and then of to pick up my brother in Taupo. From where we drove to my old home, National Park Village. A lovely welcome in the National Park Hotel with Jo, Darren and Kain.
Monday was blue sky. My Mum and my brother went to hike the Tongariro Crossing and I went for half a day skiing at Whakapapa. Burned my face while skinning up to the summit. The panorama is worth it! And the way down as well. Perfect spring conditions and untouched snow. Yehaaa!
The next 2 days I spend at the Horopitu Museum and Garage Yard to fix my Van. It needed two new doors and I had to fixed the wipers. 390$ later I got 2 new doors, working wipers and 2 new friends. David and Collin, both mechanics in the garage. Great guys! Go and see them if you have a problem with your car. Doesn't mater which kind of car. The got everything. :-)
Meanwhile my fellows drove of to Rotarua and Corromandel. I drove directly up to Auckland where I just sold my Van. It stood for 1 hour in the Backpackers Car Market when 2 France girls came in, offered me 4000$ and payed 300$ as deposit.Yehaa.
The last 2 day with my Mum we spend in Northland. Had a look into the forest with the giant Kauri trees. The biggest one got a trunk diameter of 5,60m. Just huge.
My Mum flew home and my brother and I to Christchurch to get a Backpackers Camper van. One of this boxes on wheels :-) I tried not to act as tourist but with my brother I finally was one of them ;-)
Our plan was to hike the Dusky track in Fjordland. But once more, so typical for New Zealand, the weather changes the plans. So once more Arthurs Pass. 3rd time this year. A quick visit in Castle Hill and further on to the DoC Campside near the Village. Next day further on Fox Glacier. here we had a brilliant blue sky and went with the Helicopter to a Glacier walk. How fancy is that. It was worth it. Even if the flight is just 10 Minutes and the price astronomical. The experience and scenery is great.
The Next day we reached my NZ Hometown Wanaka. I just love this place! We had a beer with Therry went for a nice drive into the Valleys and drove further on to Te Anau. The weather was much better now, but there for the time to short to hike the Dusky Track. We choose the Greenstone and Capels Valley Track and hiked 4 day trough beautifully alpine valleys. The stones are all a bit greenish whre the name comes from. Cool and much better than the great walks which are just crowded and the huts are more expensive than a hostel.
Back at the camper van we had a view days left. A quick visit at the Otago Peninsula to sea Penguins and Albatross. So quick is the time gone and we headed off to Christchurch and flew back to Auckland.
A cool Family Holiday. A lot of driving but worth it!!

A winter season in Wanaka

Beeing a Backpacker is not always chill. But I have to say it could have been worse. After a couple of weeks waiting for the season to start.

I had a cool job as a bus driver. At 7.45am I started to collect my passengers at home at their hostel or the sport shop in town. Leaving at 8.30am We arrived around 9.15-9.30am at the ski field. Depending on the road conditions.
Mostly driving up to SnowPark. This is more a playground for all kind of tricks than a ski field. Huge jumps, rails and boxes and a Olympic half pipe. It was the last years the Mekka for all guys loving the tricks. Due to financial problems prio the season most of the professionals bought a season pass for Cardrona Alpine Resort on the other side of the valley. So it was mostly quiet. My wages are dependence on the bus size. Less customers at the park meant less passengers and a smaller bus. So I tried to earn some extra money with a photo service. Shooting the jumps and tricks and sell them online. Most days the same guys trained and so I stopped this because shooting over and over the same guys doesn't bring cash flow.
Shortly befor the end of the season I got a second job at SnowFarm. It is just arround the corner of SnowPark. The only Nordic and Backcountry Ski Area in New Zealand. I meet the Canadian and US Nordic Ski Team, The Korean just left at my first work day and some of New Zealands Athletes have been around. Here I worked first for the rentals. Giving out skies and boots, mounting bindings, waxing and maintaining the skies and all other equipment. Mary and Ray my managers took me later on into the Ski School as well where I "guided" or better instructed school classes which came up for a winter sport day. A really direct and joy-able work. We had a lot of fun with hunting cartoon characters, playing football on skies and fought snow fights.
At home with my flatmates everything was fine and we had a lot of fun with BBQs, bake offs, parties and as well just watching telly with popcorn :-)
So over all I can't really complain. The money was less than I calculated (thanks to my parents for their help) Mood shifts because of not earning that much as well as missing my girlfriend. But the experiences I made will last for ever I hope.

Kayaking Adventure pure

Kayaking Adventure pure


The last week of the season and I got nothing to work. So what's the point about sitting around doing nothing. Off I went with my Kayak towards Te Anau to kayak the lake. Into the South Fjord of the Lake Te Anau and hike along a small stream into the Fjordland Valleys. So the plan....

When I left Wanaka it was perfectly blue sky; nice and warm. As further I drove towards Te Anau as darker it went. In the Te Anau i-Site the forecast wasn't that promising anymore. The next day should be fine, the day after rain and clouds with strong winds developing in the late afternoon and thunderstorms on the next day. brrrr not the best forecast. But anyway, no risk no fun. Lets mess with nature and be back in two day instead of 3 or 4 days.
The next morning was fine and it took me 1h to cross the lake and enter the Fjord. Passing steep cliffs with native forest. Snow covered mountains, water falls and a lite wind from the back. Can't be better. 26km of paddeling and I reached a nice little beach nearly at the end of the Fjord. A view to the Glacier... stunning.... but.... walking along the beach I had my dinner. Sitting down means be eaten by sandflys. Little Bastards.
The following morning was still fine and I wanted to see the end of the Fjord. So I paddled another 6km into the lovely Fjord to have breakfast on the boat rather than on the beach with the sandflys. The wind picked up and the sky darkened. The forecast for the incoming front from the west. Passing my nightspot I paddled home wards. Once again the wind from the back I made a good speed. At Lunchtime the waves raised to a size where I could surf on them. Cool doppel speed. Which was good. Some mountains have been already eaten by the clouds. Then suddenly after my lunch brake the horror shock. cold water every where. upside down in the kayak. A wave pushed me over when I've been a second not focused. It took me roughly 20 minutes to pump the boat empty and enter it. Back at the beach I was shacking the hole body. I lost my GPS while climbing in the security string ripped out and my lather hat swam away. Swimming in thick hiking boots, Goere Tex and thick trousers and pullover is no fun. Shocked and frozen I faced my fears and went on.
Still the dark clouds in the back, I reached the open sea. reorganized my Kayak. Mobile out and switched on. All unnecessary stuff into the boat and once more over the open lake. 20 Minutes later another front from the north hit my kayak on left side. Not nice. waves with white tops all over and I was dancing in the little boat. When it finally started to rain I reached the safe coastline just a couple of hundred meters from my car. Puhh, scary, difficult, dangerous.
Spights Summit, the beer brand is right with their advertisement 'Don't mess with nature.'

Earthquake

9.22pm, suddenly the house was shaking, a rumbling sound and you feel dizzy...
The airer with wt cloth was shaking, the bear in the bottle moved about 4mm, the candle stand was close to tilt. 4 Minutes feeling like sailing. Wondering about the news tomorrow...

Here are the facts:

Magnitude 6.6, Wednesday, July 15 2009 at 9:22 pm (NZST), 90 km north-west of Tuatapere.


Information about this earthquake:

Reference Number 3124785/G
NZ Standard Time Wednesday, July 15 2009 at 9:22 pm
Latitude, Longitude 45.78°S, 166.68°E
Focal Depth 5 km
Richter magnitude 6.6
Region Fiordland

Felt in souther South Island.

(Source: http://www.geonet.org.nz)

Just this minute a cnnbrk Twitter message arrived: The CNN Wire

And another one while writing: The CNN Wire

View Larger Map

New Zealand - panoramic

Just uploaded some new Photos. I still think my lens is too focused, so I started panoramic-photos.

http://christian.stauba.ch/#gallery/NZ%20moments/panoramic

succsess....

Finally everything is slowly working out. After 2,5 months studding, writing applications and a lot of waiting I received the OK. Everything ia approved and accepted. So I just need to WAIT another 8 to 20 days to hold my proper licence card.
This licence allows me to transport passengers and driving vehicles up to 18 tonnes. Because of this I got the perfect winter job. Driving for Alpine Coach Lines I will serve the Skifields around Wanaka. Starting at 7.30am driving till 9.30am. Then freetime on the skifield till 3.45pm and finishing after drop off and cleaning the bus at around 6pm. Good payed and in addition I get a free day lift pass for the fild I am servicing.
The picture below is the bus we used for your training day at Cardrona.

But this is not all the good stuff about this week.
Yesterday we finaly moved into our new home. 3 French, 1 Irish, 1 English guy and I renting a nice upper class house. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and heaps os space with a nice kitchen. Check out the pictures below. Proberbly the best Backpacker home in Wanaka ;-) maps.google
The town center is 20 minutes by walk and my bus is parked 5 minutes by walk. So I don't realy need my car. Just shopping is easiyer.

snow

finally, not much, but the first real snow in Wanaka Town Center....



Right is my Hostel, Holly's Backpacker. Veryyy goood!! If you are ever in Wanaka, stay here :-)
Here is the Google Link to the Address ;-)