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

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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 ;-)

All Blacks vs France

last Saturday, the 13.06.2009 Guillaume and I went to Dunedin to meet Rike. We had some tickets for the Rugby Match All Blacks vs France.


The Stadium is much smaller than your European once. So you seating really close to the field. We hat seats in row 'EE' and it was a realy god view.


I don't know much about rugby. At least not about Field Rugby. But you could see that the first 20 Minutes France was playing against a group of singles and not against a team. As well they lost balls and couldn't catch proper.


For some fun a supporter was running over the field. To catch some more attention he should run naked :-) The security taggeld him in rugby style and arrested him.

A awesome experience you should not miss when visiting New Zealand. A pity that the All Blacks faced the wrong direction during the Haka. You can't just have every thing...


Finely they ended up 22:27 for France. France deserved the it. Over all they played the better game. But Next Saturday the 20th June they have the second chance. Once again All Blacks vs France in Wellingten. I'll watch this in a Pub in Wanaka which is I guess another great atmosphere.

Go All Blacks !!!

Inland Pack Track

The National Park is a wilderness area. That means there is no access via helicopter or car, there are no bridges or huts, just nature.
The Track follows a river for about 1.5h. The first crossing is the hardest. Carrying the backpack over your head. The water was up to the hips. *brrr* chilly. The next 3 hours is mostly a muddy path. But the forest is awesome. Untouched and full of bird life. Shortly after lunch, the track disappears into the riverbed. Now you follow the river and crossing it from bank to bank, crawling under dead trees. Your shoes are heavy like a stone and soaking wet. But who cares when you've got this wilderness ;-) As I started to late that morning, I didn't make it to the Ballroom Overhang. The official night camp of the track. So I sleep at the Dilemma Creek Junction.
The second day is like the last hours of the first day. Walking the river in a huge gorge and steep limestone cliffs. More River crossings and some times a dry path trough the forest. 45 minutes before you end the track at the Highway you can explore a nice cave on a side track. It is worth a detour. The cave is narrow. The beautiful small 'tunnel' is just with a torch a nice experience for about 200 meters. This cave is since more than 100 years on of the highlights next to the Pancake Rocks.
Over all a remarkable track. Before the hike you should visit the Visitor Center in Punakaiki. The rivers along the West Coast can rise very quickly. So alway check the forcast and current riverlevels!

From Christchurch to the frustrating jobsearch

I know. Quite a lot of friends are already complaining that I did not keep you posted. Sorry for that. What I have done: I traveled from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass for some hikes. It was raining for 4 days and so I left wet and frozen to Punakaiki. It is well known because of the pancake rocks. I a beautiful Hostel in the Native Forest. Just 3 km north from the Visitor Center. I stood there for a few day and walked the Inland Pack Track. A nice 2 days track. I'll write another post for this track.
From here I headed south along the West Coast. Passed Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacie, but couldn't afford a walk. Still no job :-( I dropped my application at both Guiding Companies and headed over the Haast Pass to Wanaka. And here I am. Found a nice small Hostel (Holly'S Hostel). But still no job. In the local newspaper an article said it is the worst time for jobs since many years. Problem is, the summer season is over but the winter season starting end of June. So all Backpackers are sitting around and waiting for jobs. You find notes at the bars and shops "No jobs". Around 60-80 applicants per job. In a few weeks it should be better.
So I took the time and teamed up with Claudia to explore the Fjordlands. We went to Milford Sound and where lucky because of no rain. They've got 200 rain days a year in average....
Now we are already on the way back and staying in Queenstown. Tomorrow I'll check the activity offices for a summer job for the next season and going back to Wanaka around teatime. Hopefully I can work for a small computer dealer...better than nothing...

It's time for a change

After my trip to the East Cape I was working two more weeks at Wades Landing Outdoors, the boat rental. Easter is the last long weekend before the winter time and it seams, that everyone is on the road and having fun. All six rentals for the Whanganui River drop around 700 persons at the river over the weekend. Chaos at the drop off and pick up points.
The weekend after Easter was an auction to sell the Slalom Lodge. Steve just leased the Lodge over the last year. And he was a bit pissed that he wasn't able to buy it. He waited to the end of the auction in hope to pay a lower price afterwards. But he failed. Another local was faster after the auction and was already talking to the seller and bought it. It is a bit sad. It's a lovely place and it was perfect for the rental. But he is still able to run the business from his place a few meters further up the street. So I still have the possibility to work for him the next season.
Finally after 2,5 month working for Steve I "retired" at the 17.4. and went south to Christchurch on the South Island. Here I had to arrange some paper works. While I waited for a official translation I've done a small hike at Lewis Pass. A beautiful valley with natural hot pools, native forest and an awesome view to the Mountains. Now I'm back in Christchurch and spend a wonderful day with Natalie, an American photographer.
Thanks Natalie for this awesome day! Take Care...!


What I'm going to do the next 2 weeks is not clear yet. I guess I heading towards the West Coast and keep an eye open for a new job on the way.

back in Raurimu

The second week of my small trip brought me from Gisborn over the East Cape to Tauranga. The drive from Gisborn to the East Cape is mostly along a rough shore. It's nice to look, but I didn't find places worth to stay longer than a small brake. I climbed up the litle mountain with the lighthouse at East Cape which got a nice view. The coastline between East Cape and Tauranga is much more interesting. Long sandy beaches, nice waves (good for surfing) small towns. But the most scenic drive I've done so far was from Opotiki to Matu. The "old Motu Road" is partly 4WD track trough beautiful steep valleys and native Forrest. It is still part of the Te Urewera National Park. And after 70km gravel road you arrive in Motu. A very small old town. I drove the State Highway back to the coast and further to Tauranga where I spend my last to day lazy at the beach watching the surfers, reading and chilling. On Sunday I hat to leave the summer (22°C) and drove back via Taupo to Raurimu (10°C). It felt freezing cold.
Back here at the Slalom Lodge the everyday life with working started. Easter is popular for the Whanganui River Trip and we had to fix quite a lot of Canadians. But by now, the most stuff is done and the show can start on Friday morning.

New Pictures - Able Tasman, Whanganui River and other

Posted some new Pictures at http://christian.stauba.ch

Have fun!!

a lot to tell...but to lazy to write :-/

The last weeks was mostly work for Steve. It is still a bit of everything what keeps it interesting. I got some job offers from local guy for the winter time. I hope it is more serious than these bloody boat job. Which finally was given to another guy :-( But ok, that's life.
As know from my pictures I've done the Tongorio Crossing together with Dave, my work colleague. I had sore stomach muscles from laughing instead of sore leg muscles from walking :-) Up there it is another world. Like walking the moon. Just awesome! A must do!
Since one week I'm back on the road. Went from Raurimu to Taupo and paddled to the Maori Rock Carvings. Spend some chilly hours at lake front. Visited the Huka Falls which are just amassing. Its a rapid, 15m wide, 15m deep (water is 10m deep) and around 200m long. It's ending in a huge Waterfall a bit less than 10m. 160 cubic meter water per second. It is just pure power.
After this 2 days in Taupo I went further east direction Lake Waikaremona. Windy Interstate 38 ends in a long gravel road. Beautiful forests and lookouts are around the road. I watched the sunset at Horuruahine Landing the first lake bay you're passing. The next day went quite fast. Most of the time I took photos of the countless waterfalls around the lake. And I graped my tickets for the Great Walk I planed to start on Saturday. The Walk winding along the lake shore, climbing up to the Panekiri Bluff and offers mostly awesome views out of the native forest toward the crystal blue lake middle in nowhere. So far so good. The water Taxi drop you off at Onepoto around 9.30a.m. The climb up to the bluff took around 4h. And I had lunch at the first hut. Normally the Track is between 3-4 days; 45km. I wanted to walk it in 2 days. My night camp should be Korokoro. But everything changes as I slipped on a muddy part and twisted my ankle. Good for me, that I meet 2 doctors from Napier an the track which drugged me up. Thanks a lot girls!! Slowly we went down to the next hut. Another 4h. and I tented the night there. Already skipped my plans for a two day hike. The next morning, was Ok. The ankle was swollen and it was hard to walk. Ok, it wasn't my hike. First I took the empty battery for my cam not able to make all pictures I wanted. Then I slipped... So I was really pissed and decided to cancel the track. The others I meet in the hut left and I stood waiting for the Taxi which finally came at 10.30 to drop some backpacks for lazy hikers. So i spend the afternoon at the Motor Camp. The skipper tolled my, that this is one of 20 day sunshine up here. Normally it's mostly clouded and rainy. A perfect day for hiking.... Cool. Made it! I hope the next time I start this track, the weather will be like today. Sunshine, 16°C, not a single cloud, a light wind and not crowded at all! After I cooled my ankle with ice it's still swollen, but walking isn't too bad.
So I'm leaving this beautiful lake and heading east toward the coastline. Finding a spot with mobile phone coverage to post this blog.

New Pictures - Tongariro Crossing

Just a short announcement. I finally managed to upload some New Zealand pictures to my web side. If you want have a look at http://christian.stauba.ch
They are take during the Tongariro Crossing on 14. March 2009. Dave my working college joined me and we hat a lot of fun ;-) I hope you enjoy it as well.

42 Traverse - Mountain biking

Today was a sunny and nice warm day. So I decided in the morning to go biking. It is quiet at the rental at the moment, so it wasn't a problem. The track is crossing the Tongario Forest. One of the must have done tracks in New Zealand. DoC calculates the time with 4 to 6 hours. Start is at 910 m above sea level a bit further north then the start of the Tongario Crossing.


The track is about 42 km long. the first 6km are possible by car as well as the last 4 km. I cycled back to Raurimu and ended with 62 km. Puhh, that was hard. The last 15 km on the highway in full sun.


The track surface varies from gravel over sand to mud. 3 long downhills 2 fords and moderate hills to climb up. long curves and always a nice lookout. Deep valleys and native forest is the scenery.


A bit tricky are the fords you have to pass. I'm not sure if you can ride all three. I cheated the first two and walked :-). All together it is an amazing ride and you should do it if you find the time.


Google GPS map: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=139738

Still in Raurimu

Since I left Auckland, I'm working for Steve. He is the boss of Wades Landing Outdoor (http://whanganui.co.nz) and runs the Slalom Lodge in Raurimu. I'm doing the mowing, cleaning windows, checking fire alarms, changing light bulbs and loading the trailers.
Last weekend I took the bus to Auckland to bring my old Van down here. I can store the Van here to sell it. After work I sanded and painted the buddy to fix some rusty spots. Yesterday I bought 4 used glow bulbs and changed them. Now the van starts at the first try. Taking some pictures and I'm ready to put it onto gumtree.com for sale.
The weather is getting mostly rainy and clouded. Since Stef and Valentin left the weather is like this. But it is still warm to sit outside. After two weeks working here more as a housekeeper I started to bring the first groups to the river by my own and picking up people alone. So it's finally more the job I wanted to do. :-) At least it is a foot in the door and Steve tolled me that he might got the possibility to bring to a river or rafting guide where I can start as a assisted guide for the first. Let's see how it goes. First I've got a job offer along the west coast of the South Island. But still it is not clear when it starts. So long I can work for Steve.

Whanganui River, Mt Takanaki and Raglan

In Raurimu we hired a man Canadian and a Kayak to ship down the Whanganui River. DoC (Department of Conservation) counts it to one of the new great walks. The water was brown and full of algae, not that clear like all the other rivers we've seen so far. Flowing slow between hight rock walls and nice forests. We hoped to fined some rapids, but the first day was just floating down the river. After apx. 20 km we arrived at the first camp side. The second day was the longest distance. So we get up quite early and slipped our boats into the river long before the others. We've been most oft the 39 km alone on the river. We've been a bit bored and started to play in the few small rapids. we capsized with the Canadian and smashed it against a root directly behind a rock. Stef scarped his leg, it looked quit badly. The canoe got a broken railing, nothing more. All this just because we went bored. The next day we had to pass a bigger rapid. Our two boats went through nearly dry. Some other capsized and we carried our boats around to go though twice more. Stef and Valentin coughed so much water the second run, that the Canadian filled up to the railing and just sank. We searched for some minuets and found it a few meter further down. Lucky that we left our packs at the riverbank.All over all it was a nice scenic lookout and some minutes fun, but mostly very chilly :-)





From the rental we drove the "forgotten World Highway" direction West. We wanted to climb the Mt Takanaki a Vulcan at the west coast. The weather forecast told good weather for the next to day. Starting at around 26°C at Dawson Falls walking the first day 3h to the Sumy Hut at 1900m. The weather turned and it started to rain after 2 hours. later on we ended in the clouds and found later out that we missed the hut apx 30 meters. We climbed up to 2300m and turned when we find out that we are already apx 300m under the summit. during the night we thought the roof of the small hut blows away. It was raining so hard and the storm rattled the walls. The morning was still foggy and so we decided to go back to the car. back there we have been soaking wet. So I guess I have to climb once more. The view is told to be one of the ones in NZ. But not only because of the view. I lost one of my trekking poles which I my find in on of the screes.


At the way back we stooped in Raglan. One of the big surfing spots at the west coast. It's almost frightened when a water wall rises up to 3m above your head...cool I never play in such high waves. For the next day, it was clear to hire 2 surf boards. So we did. COOOOL a thing I wanted to do since a long time. My English is not good enough to tell you how cool this is. half a day in the waves and we managed to stand nearly 30 sec on the board riding the waves. It wasn't sunny, cloudy and some times small showers. We applied 30+ suncream and still burned our back and legs. never ever think going out without suncream applied...not even when it is cloudy.
Back in Auckland I brought Stef and Valentin to the airport on Saturday morning at 7.30. Now I'm alone. Trying to sell my van. It's jut to old. The dust of the gravel rods sneaking into the backdoor, every morning is a huge black cloud after starting the motor and the wiper is broken as well. so I bought a new one. A 4x4 truck, huge enough to sleep in and store my bike all other stuff. 400 bucks cheaper than my van but much newer and in a very good shape.
Right now I'm sitting again in Raurimu at the canoe rental station where I found some work for the next 3 days. Whats going on next? good question. There is the possibility to work as a dive guide and skipper for 2 Americans. Starting over next week in Picton. Hopefully this will come true. Exploring 4 weeks the Fjordland by boat over and under water while earning a good money... press your thumbs!!

Heaphy Track and Able Tasman

Quite a long time since I posted. Not by days, but by date. The last post is published later because of the network coverage in New Zealand. I will never complain about ePlus in Germany :-) When you leave the village, you go into the mobile phone desert. And often the village it self got no coverage. But that's the way it is.

Anyway we send some lovely days in the bush. The Heaphy Track is one oft the great walks and as often told the most varied. We started at Brown Hut.
The first day is only upwards. No, not steep, very moderate. The scenery is forest, nice views over the valley. All the Huts are also offer campsites, toilets and drinking water. You have to book your nights in advance and it costs 12 bucks each person and night. Sleeping in a hut is a bit more expansive, therefor you do not need to carry your tent and a cooker. Just food and sleeping bag is needed.





The second day brought us over a platy. a bit cloudy it was just perfect to walk. Around 13°C. This day we passed mostly huge ferns and moss. The track wasn't very busy and we normally meet just a few people the day. The camp sites where quite and always clean. This evening it was a bit rainy but still comfortable.




Day three took us down to sea level and we camped at the Heaphy Hut. The Heaphy River flowing into the ocean and here is the Hut next to the beach. A beautiful sunset and a Small fire with BLABLA shortened the evening. But if you came over to the South Island always bring sandfly protection with you. These Small flys are all over, but this place are the worst one so far. They like dark colors and as soon as they landed the bite. Little annoying vampires about 3-4mm Small. You will learn to live with them :-) We did. Shortly before you reach this lovely place you are walking through the jungle. Huge trees, lianes, palms and tree fans are along the way and sometimes you wandering though a kind of hall build by plants.






The last day brings us along the coastline. Sand beaches, Palms, a salty breeze from the ocean and always a beautiful lookout. The last swing bridges crossing creeks. Depending on the tides you have to be careful. Some beaches are only passable during low tide. The tide table is presented at the Heaphy Hut.



The Track ends in Tokaikai where we caught a shuttle together with a D.O.C Ranger to ... and he gave us a lift to Westport (1.5h). We had to spend the night there at a Hostel. The bus next day drove us to Nelson (4h) where we stood another night. Next morning I caught the bus to Motaka and later on to the Brown Hut (4h). All together the way back is apx. 500km. So if you consider walking the track, organise a person who brings your car around (apx. 200NZ$). But anyway the Heaphy Track with his 85km is worth it to spend a few hours in the bus and to nights in the very calm city of Westport ("where the dog is buried") and Nelson witch is a Small busy city.

After we had my Van back we headed to Able Tasman National Park and stood there a night at the campsite. Sunny weather and the blues sea with white beaches gave us the feeling of Caribbean. We booked a two days freedom kayak tour and with 3 other German guys we were taxied by a water taxi to Onetahuti Beach. But before you are able to go on tour you need a security briefing and some exercises at the beach. The guide told us to lean against a wave to prevent going up-side-down with the double kayak. To be able to act like this on both sites, we had to do it again to the right. Shit, the waves are still coming from the left. Studied Idea which costs me my Oakley sunglasses and another boy his normal glasses...pissed we finally lunched from the beach toward a Small island where we saw a colony of seals playing around between the rocks. The Weather was cloudy and a bit rainy. But anyway we were wet so we didn't matter. some lagoons and Small beaches later we arrived at Achorage, the D.O.C campsite.



The second day was just lovely sunny weather and as calm sea. We passed the Adele Island and reached the Fisherman Island at midday. A Small beach brought us close to a family of seals. Snorkeling and swimming with them was just cool. They had 3 babies playing around as we watched. Our lunch we spend at a beautiful lonely beach and arrived at 2.30 back at the rental office.
Now we are sitting on the ferry back to Wellington. Ready to hike two more days and 3 more days kayaking a river before I lift Valentin and Stef to Auckland....