06.04.19 We got ready for our 2 months south island trip. We could leave some stuff in the house where we lived until yet. Everything else got in the car. We started early evening to drive close to Wellington on a free camp. Lucky the time change the night so we had one hour more in the morning. We toke the ferry on Sunday morning at 0700 am. Deep clouds and strong wind made the ferry ride interesting... 3-4 meter high waves are even for a big ship pretty shaky. After two hours we reached the fjords and the sea got calm. We stopped on our favorite restaurant for a Burger in Picton and the same with a bakery in Blenheim. We drove along the east coast until it got dark. Close to Christchurch we slept on a nice free camp close to the Ocean. On Monday we past Christchurch in the morning. Short grocery stop before we got on the country side. A few hours later we reached our Day destination Lake Tekapo. We enjoyed the sun and in the evening a clear sky full of Stars. The light pollution is here nearly nothing that you can see a lot of Stars. We made a view pictures and late in the night we drove to Lake Pukaki on a free camp. Tuesday morning we woke up with a beautiful few over the Lake. We made a small walk in the morning with a awesome few over the lake and the mountain. And the rest of the day we relaxed in the sun and had some Beer. 09.04.19
10.04.19 Weather forecast was not good. Cloudy and drizzle for the day. We slept really long and drove to lake Tekapo back where we got in the Hot Springs. Hot pools with 35 to 38C and a Sauna made the day relaxed. Lunch with a Burger and Cake. After another night on the free camp at lake Pukaki we drove to the Mt Cook Village. On the way we stopped at the Tasman glacier. Amazing and sad at once. In the last years the glacier shrank a few Km . Probably in less than 15 years the glacier will be gone... 12.04 was again really rainy in the morning. We spend a long time in the information center and after the sun showed up we walked to the Kea point and back to our camp. Where we prepared everything for the next day. Saturday we planned to climbed the 1100 meters to the Mueller Hut with a stunning few over the mountains. We started early in the morning the climb with more than 2400 steps to the first lookout. Janina felt not good but we still made it to the first point. But around one hour late after we climbed nearly 700 meters she couldn't continue so we turned around. Back on the camp we had a quick cleanup and changed our cloth. It was still so early that we made de decision to drive to Omarama. Sunday the 14.04 we just made a short drive to the Airfield. Omarama is the Soaring mekka in New Zealand. Clouds in the morning and no wind are not the weather to go wave gliding. Still later the day the sun turned up and I made the decision to go flying. Even when the price looks like I chartering a Boeing 747 for an hour... :D still we had a bit of thermal so we could fly one hour around the area. And far on the horizon a saw the Mt cook. And the big mountains over the clouds. Next time I hope more wind to go in the wave and make a flight over the mt Cook up to flight level 250 (25.000 feet). The rest of the day we spend on the road to Queenstown. Grocery for the next week. Today we woke up on a lake a bit further south of Queenstown. We drove to Te Anau. On the way we stopped on a spot where you can feed Alpacas. After a short stop at the Information in Te Anau we ended up in Manapauri. We stay on a payed camp to take a shower, wash our cloths and load all cameras. 15.04.19
On the 16.04 we made a Kayaking trip in to Doubford Sounds. We started early in the morning with a one hour boot trip over the Lake… after we had a 40 minutes bus ride trough the mountains and got on the Kayaks when the Sun showed up over the mountains. 3 hours of relaxed and beautiful kayaking in the sounds. So quiet far away from all the tourist, streets and villages. We was surrounded by 1000 meter high mountains. A beautiful sunny day. 17.04 we started early in the morning to walk one part of the Kappler Track ( one of the great walks) 5 hours one way up to the Luxmore Hut. Actually we needed just 4 hours up to the 800 meters above the car park. We enjoyed our lunch at the hut with a stunning few over lake Te Anau. We visited the caves up on the mountain and went around 4 hours back to the car. 30 km walking and 800 meter altitude. After this walked we felled early and done to sleep. 18.04 we drove closer to Milford sounds on the way we stopped by the mirror lakes, the Key Summit and the Humbold falls. Enjoyed a lovely sunny day again. We are so lucky with the weather. The night we camped on a very big camp in a valley between the high mountains. The next morning we got up early and drove to the Milford sounds and had a cruise around for 2 hours with stunning few over the mountain and the fjord. Later the day we drove quit long way out of the Fjordland further south. 20.04 we woke up on a small free camp next to the ocean on a nice beach. We went to the beach to look for some stones (Jade) and continued to Invercargill. Where we went for lunch/dinner in a nice cafe. After 4 hours we bought some food and refueled the car. Heading further south. 21.04 we woke up on a free camp in a small bay. We visited the most southern point of New Zealands south island. At midday we made a bush walk thru the rain Forrest for 3 hours. It was very muddy and small track very nice with a small water fall in the middle of the walk. In the evening we stopped in curio bay where you can spot some Penguin and dolphins. We saw two Penguin coming out of the water. On the next morning after breakfast we saw some dolphins really close to the beach. always the best to see Animals in Wildlife. On our way to Dunedin we stopped on another small water fall. We ended up on a payed campsite to take a shower and maybe have a place to stay for tomorrow because the weather forecast looks not so good. We will see. 22.04.19
The Weather was good so we visited the cannibal Bay without sea lions... and the Lighthouse on the Nugget point. Slept the night in Brighton on the free camp and arrived today in Dunedin. A bit of shopping before we reached our AirBnB. Nice to have a place for 5 days with a bathroom kitchen and bed for yourself. and its warm. the last days the weather is still beautiful and very good for this season but its cold. 10 to 15C max during the day with wind and at night around 4 - 8C. The Winter is on his way... 24.04.19
25.04 We just walked around the City to have a look whats going on, bought some sweet stuff end made a chill out evening at home. 26.04 We walked down in the city to get on the Dunedin Railway. Around 4 hours trip thru the landscape around Dunedin. With a old train. It was really beautiful. When we returned we had some souvenir shopping and went home and had dinner. On the 27.04 we chilled the hold day in the bed and watched some movies because of the rain outside... on the 28.04 we went to a lookout over Dunedin and to the steepest street in the world. The 29.04 was again very rainy but we drove to Queenstown and on the way the weather changed. We had a quick stop at the Kawarau Bungy bridge to have a look. Its 43 meters high and looks scary. But I want to do it. I don't know if my back can do it... hope so. But we had not enough time to do it this day. Because we where hungry and we had a appointment at the minus 5 C bar. So we checked in the hostel and went to a fancy Burger shop. I had a really nice lamb Burger. At 5pm we went to the Bar. We got some extra jackets and gloves before we enter the small bar. It was freezing... -8C we had a cocktail out of ice glasses. Later we prepared everything for our walk on the next day. 30.04 we got early up to start our hike to the Ben Lemond summit on 1750m from Queenstown a ca 1300m vertical climb on 8km. It was a really sunny and worm day. We got up to 1600m before we made the decision to turn around because of the melting snow and ice. It got so slippery that we thought it will be to dangerous to climb further. But at least we got so height that we had 4cm of snow. On the way back it got really muddy and slippery. And we where really happy when we returned safe in Queenstown. At our hostel we had every evening a really nice worm soup. 01.05 we slept long and had breakfast. Later we walked a bit around Queenstown ( very small) and had another nice Burger coffer and chocolate. The 02.05 we went to make some groceries before we stopped by the Kawarau Bungy Bridge again. I want to do it but I'm really nervous and not really sure... Janina finally just went to the counter with me and and I booked it. Lucky I'm nearly next... panic in my mind... I've got on the Bridge 4 people before me and than its my turn. I'm nearly peeing myself... the guy made the jump gear on my legs and just sad you will enjoy it. And than its time. Time to jump. 43 meter deep. A last smile in the cameras. A last deep breath. And I leaned forward. 1 second later the band is stopping me close to the water and throw me back in the Air. I realized I did it! I did it!! after 2 more up and downs its already over. I landed in the boat and looked up to the bridge, I can't believe it. Live more fear less! Its true. We continued to Cromwell where we had some wedges and beer to celebrate my jump. At the end of the day we went to a fancy cinema in Wanaka where we watched Avanger's End Game. At the 03. 05 we went at 10 am to the flight school in Wanaka where we chartered a C172 and toke a stunning flight over the southern Alps and Mount cook. A awesome view to the glaciers new Zealand's and unbelievable blue lake Pukaki. Its just incredible, awesome and stunning. I can't describe this view. I just let the Picture's speak themselves. Later we visited the Lake Wanaka and the Tree in the lake. Not really spectacular after this flight but still beautiful. Again we prepared everything for a serious hike on the next day and got early to bed. Because we got up at 3 am in the Morning to walk up 1300m vertical to the Roys Peak to see the sunrise. We had really cold wind up there but the sunrise was beautiful. The rest of the day and today we spend in the hostel relaxing and some small walks through the “city”. 05.05.19
06.05.19 we drove along the Lake Wanaka in the direction of the West coast. Heading forwards Hokitika where we will stay one week with a New Zealand Woman to help her in the House and the Garden. We get free food and accommodation for that. On the way we stopped at all lookouts and a few waterfalls. We slept the night next to a river. Next day nearly the same. We arrived on the ocean. In the West coast state its allowed to free camp everywhere. So we spent the night next to the beach. In the night it was very windy and big waves hit the coast. At the 08.05. we arrived in Fox Glacier. A very small village where we had nice breakfast with a not so nice view to the mountain and the glacier. Because of the rain and deep clouds. The weather is getting worse. We was so lucky until here but from now for the rest of the week just rain... rain... rain... we booked us a hostel because we need to be in Hokitika on Friday but its just 150 km from here. 08.05.19
We spend the last two nights in Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph it was heavy raining the both days. On 10.05 in Franz Joseph we had a thunderstorm that turn the power off for 30 min. Yesterday we drove to Hokitika where we will stay until Thursday. we stopped in a Jade stone Manufacture and made our own Jade Stones. We stay in a private house from a woman with her two kids and help here for ca 4 hours a day with everything and get free accommodation and food. Today we cleaned the house from the outside and the shed.
11.04
We stayed until the 15.05 in Hokitika. We had a really good time. We drove a long the west coast and spend the night on the beach in Rapahoe. The weather forecast looks good for the Blowholes in the morning. Wind and high tide at 0900am. Pretty impressive how the big waves hitting the rocks. Unlikely it started raining after a few minutes again and we continued our ride. In Blenheim we stopped at Janina's favorite Coffee before we arrived early close to Picton on the free camp. We took the ferry at 0800 am today, a beautiful sunny Day. That means our south island Road trip come to an and. It was such a amazing landscape. Just stunning. If you never been to New Zealand before, you should definitely do it! Stunning, Amazing and Beautiful are the words that comes to my mind if I think about this Country, and this Road trip.
We arrived midday in Wellington where we have a nice Hostel in the middle of the City. We parked Elli a bit outside and walked a long the coast of the Bay. Later we spend the evening walking around and had some nice Dinner on a food market and a famous Pizza Service.
17.05.19
On Saturday we walked around the CBD, went to the Museum of New Zealand and in the evening to a salsa Party. Afterwards we been to a “night club” but it was not good so we left after a few minutes and went to bed. On Sunday we started with the Wellington Cable Car to walk the botanic garden. Unfortunately during winter are not that much flours bloom... we ended up after lunch time in the Hostel watching movie's. The 20.05 Monday morning we walked back to car and drove to the airport there is a nice spot where you can stay on the beach and watching Planes and Surfers. On the way to cape Pallisar we stopped on a shopping center to made probably our last grocery's for this trip. Shock moment for me when I got pull over by the police... 10 km/h to fast... lucky I just got a warning from the very friendly Police officer, from now I will look more for my speed... fine's are quit expansive here. At cape Pallisar we saw so much of seals with there children's. It was really cute. We watched a nice sunset from the lighthouse before we parked 3 meters from the Ocean on our camp for the night. The hold night we listening the roar of the waves and the thunder when they hit the rocks next to the car. Next day we traveled to castle point on the east coast. A small village with a lighthouse and a very nice beach. We made a short walk on the beach and had lunch. For the sunset we stayed at the lighthouse and made some nice Pictures. Yesterday the 22.05 we woke up early to see the sunrise on lighthouse. On our way to Wanganui we stopped at the Pukaha wildlife center with a white kiwi. Its a she and she was very active. There are so cute! Later the day we arrived in Wanganui where we will stay for one week on a small alpaca farm. It's again via Help X so we work around 4 hours a day and get free food and accommodation. Today was our first day. We split some fire wood for the Family and and after already 3 hours we finished. The rest of the day we have free. 23.05.19
We spend the week with splitting fire wood ( a lot!), grass mowing, tree trimming, pruning and cleaning the Garden. On Saturday we drove with our guest Family to the Wanganui farmers Market in the morning. After they showed us around the Airport and the City. It was really nice and our guest Dad is even more fascinated from planes than me, that's funny. We talked a lot about aviation. He also told us a lot of New Zealand's and Wanganui's history. from our small own Apartment we had a nice few over the property and the Alpacas and the Sheep's. Janina went a couple of times to feed the Alpacas.
On the 30. of May its time to say goodbye and get on the last part of the Road trip... back to Napier!
We went to a Turkish restaurant and had some nice dinner for the last time we slept in the car on the ocean in Napier.
Yesterday we had at 10 am our introduction and sign the contract again with the nursery. We will start on Tuesday. Afterwards we arrived in our new home in Haomuana. We will share the apartment with a couple from work. Its a very new apartment close to the beach. 3 days relaxing before we will start Work again. And that's it. Our south island road trip is over...
5000km in 8 weeks across the most beautiful Landscape I ever saw. It was just stunning!
01.06.19
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