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!!