Roadtrip

Ok, Our hike near Rotorua was skipped. We found a chilling place at the see side. A kind of commune is setteld there and we ware aloud to camp. Stef visited the "Hells Gate" a hot pots of mud, a hot water fall and a kind of spa. 30 bucks are quite expensive, so Valantin and me waited at the van and remodeld our car stereo.
The rest of the day we where driving down to "Te Horor Beach" passing different landscapes with beautiful views and amazing spots. After the night at the 'horror' beach (no waves, no sand, just stones and stranded goods) we hurried direction south towards Wallingten. The ferry to Picton sails at 2 pm. After 3,5h of playing cards and hanging around we entered the south island.
A great drove along the coast line and climbing up the pass between "Abel Tasman National Park" and "Kahurangi National Park". Stef used the possibility to speed down the other side of the pass to our night camp near "Upper Takaka".

Currently it's more a kind of road trip and Valantin need some kind of activity. He is fat up with sitting in a car just driving. This is over with today. We'll spend the next 4 days walking the Heaphy Track. Starting with some mountain passes and ending with some nice sandy beaches, so we hope ;-)

So far, so good. The next few day will be silence, but I'll send some nice stories and pictures afterwards :-)

I'm a hippi now

I proudly present my new car...a old Toyota HiACE. 2 beds in the back, a rack for storage and lots of camping gear. A good Van. Diesel engine with 322000 km :-/ Ok, what do you want for 4400 NZ$ (ap. 1600 €)

We left Auckland and drove up north direction "Bay of Island" and slept the first night without tent at the beach. The day we spend driving a nice trip trough the bays. On the way to the west coast our clutch stopped working. Shit... but a kind Kiwi showed us how to drive without the clutch in 3rd gear and we made it 15 minutes back to Kaikohe ( GOOGLE ). We found Floyed Car Mechanics and called his 24h service. It was already 6pm. He managed to repair the clutch. A previous owner filled water into the hydraulic oil tank... 50 NZ$ and 45min later we are back on the road. Happy again.

After an amazing sunset, we found a nice place up the hills to spend the night. This morning we drove trough huge forests when Stef wanted to speed down the road and up to a forest view point. On the top we found a good looking trail down. I tried to cycle it down. puhhh, that was the most difficult trail I've ever done. But cool !!
Later on we spend an hour at the beach with huge waves. The afternoon is just driving down south. Passing Auckland toward Rotorua where a hike is planed for tomorrow.

Currently I'm sitting in the back, read Mails and writing this blog while Stef is driving... Thanks to Vodafone, a 3G UMTS data connection is making this possible ;-)

So far. Here are some impressions of the description moments. Have fun. Btw, how is weather in good old Germany? I heard somthing...storm, rain, around 0°C *brrr* we've got 24°C in the shadow. Don't ask how much in the sun... it is just burning your brain....

Auckland view from Harbor side














Beach camping












Clutch repair












Bay of Islands

























Sunset at the west coast

"straight fu**ing forward"

The second day in Auckland is already over. Everything is working out great! The Biometric-Check was no problem. I told them that I cleaned my Mountain bike and the only thing they check more carefully was the tent. A hostel was found quickly and transfer by transfer-service was easy as well. Mt. Eden offered the first view over Auckland. A Vulcan next to downtown. A great view; a small idea of a great country.



Today we discovered Downtown after a visit at the "Backpackers Car Market" (http://www.backpackerscarmarket.co.nz). A Place where Backpackers can sell their Cars. Supported by some guys helping with all paper work, legal check and technical check. In

NZ you buy a car with his history. That means "...This check will advise you of any legal or financial problems with the vehicle. Please note that if you do not check the vehicle prior to purchase, you as the new owner will become liable for any legal problems or outstanding debts...."

That's why the legal check is important. The technical check tells you that the car is safe and worth the money.
The fist car I wanted, was a yellow VAN. Stuffed with a lot of useful things. But to English guy came at the moment we decided to do a test drive. They had seen it the day before.... The second choice was marked for bad after the technical check. The front frame was deeply rusty. The 3td choice is a diesel Mitsubishi HiACE Van. Checks are done and good. Tomorrow he gets a new WOF (warranty of fitness - a kind of NZ TÜV) and then we can catch the van around 4pm. Pic's are posted next time....
Ah, a mobile is bought as well....

Cool, so every thing is done for the next 3 weeks with Valentin and Stefan. BTW, Happy Birthday to Valentin. He turned 30 today!

So, that should it be for today. After some glasses of NZ red wine it's hard to concentrate ;-)

Finally...

...after some weeks rushing around, packing my stuff and store everything in my container I finaly arrived today in Tokyo, Japan. A 2 day stop-over on my way to New Zealand.



But let's do it chronological. The check-in at Frankfurt, Germany was horrible. I always thought, that my bike is already payed. NO, I hat to pay a 150,- Euro fee to bring it to Tokyo. Still it is not sure if I have to pay from Tokyo to Auckland as well. We will see that on Monday at 5pm.


After 11h hours flight, we (Valentin and Stef are with me) arrived at Tokyo at 9am. The baggage claim was easy and fast and we stored my bike at the storage. A Hostel was found and booked directly from an info-desk at the airport. The skyliner, took 1,5h to bring us next to our hotel. After some problems finding the right street, we finale spend a 2h nap at out japanes style room. A short walk trought the neighborhood and a tasty dinner was te end of a long day.