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.