kris downunder

My cousin Edda comes to pick us up at 09h00 to drive us to Joondalup at Westcoast Honda where we collect our 2 brand new motorbikes

Honda CB500X, a red and a white one. Shawn and his team helped us out well all the way from the purchase to the delivery, thanks....well done

After registration and insurance Martin and Luc drive the first kilometers , and we all meet up at the Maui branch in Perth to pick up our motorhome.

Once this is settled time to buy our telephone simcards and have a nice lunch at Scarborrough Beach with Edda who was so nice to drive us all day.

Later on we had a beautiful bbq prepared and cooked by Martin , together with Katrien & Lawrence, Edda & Andrew, Ben...what a lovely evening and glad to have spend some time with my two aussie nieces.

After the drop off ashuttlebus brings us to the Airport where we have to catch our flight at 17h00 to Melbourne with a connecting flight to Perth where we arrive at 22h00 local time, we lost 4hours, but we're still +8 hours ahead .

At the airport Katrien and Lawrence are waiting for us to take us to Katrien's house in Trigg, where we catch up a little bit and after a cool beer we hit the sack.

Me and Luc look to each other and without one word the decision is made, we book a flight for 10h20 as we have to be at the camper at 11h00

8 minutes flight and 10 minutes walk should do it...but as the helicopter runs late we know we won't make it at time, but what the heck ...we don't want to miss this , so 10h50 finally we take off for a awesome flight with our pilot Steve, who has been in belgium and knows Manneke Pis of Brussels...

He shows us the vulcanoes, the geysers and white island, an island +/- 100km from Rotorua in the Pacific Ocean that is a vulcanoe that is active all the time and even Captain Cook when he sailed along it thought it was a big cloud.

After this amazing experience we run to the camping to our friends who had been waiting for us for more than an hour...

Time to hit the road to Coromandel, from Rotorua to Taurango , a town at the east side sitting in the Pacific Ocean, with a picnic at Pahoia Beach.

We follow the winding road 25 along the coast passing Waihi,Whangamata, known as a good place to be for wealthy retired people.

Next stop New Zealand's attraction Cathedral Cove, it take's a 40 minutes walk trough a bushtrail to get there, but it is the walk more than worthed...

stunning breathtaking views...no words

As we are running out of time we decide to take a shortcut , road 309 , a gravel road that goes all the way trough the Coromandel Forest Park for 22 km, what an amazing nature and probably the best road driven in new Zealand, absolutely fabulous!!!!!!!!!!

We got to stop in the middle of this road because of wild pigs running on the road.

When we get out of the car to take some pictures, a man comes to us and we have a little chat...he protects the life of wild pigs and has more than 100 pigs running around on his land 700ha, he shows us if we touch the belly of the pig it lays down, they actually like to play like dogs...

But what is most special to this occasion is that Rik , the chocolat manufacturer , told us the day before a story about how he ended up in the middle of nowhere with wild pigs on the road and a funny man...guess...yep, same pigs, same man.

We thanked the man with a box of Belgian truffles made by Rik and he was so happy, he said normally when there is a car that stops to look at the pigs, normally the pigs where fed , but not him...After this hilarious meeting we arrived at Coramandel and drove along the Firth of Thames with corner after corner filled with the nicest views ever...this is really one of the nicest places ever seen...I easily could live here and grow old

As it runs late and campings are closed we must camp free in Te Puru with a lovely view on Firth of Thames...What a day, I really need some sleep...

Rotorua

Lake Rotoua

Vulcanic activity Lake Rotorua

Our pilot Steve who knows MannekPis

Lunch at Pahoia Beach

Climbing out of the ocean

Geyser Rotorua

Bushwalk

Cathedral Cove

Playing with wild pigs

enjoying Rik's Belgian chocolat truffles

Coromandel Bay

Deadman's Point

First stop at Pukena Bay at the West Coast before we take Road 1 also known as the desert road that cut's the Rangipo desert .

But first lunch at Foxton Beach , Foxton is known for its windmill's build by the Dutch .

We have to drive at least 400 km to keep our schedule and we're moving well on Road 1,passing Taihape(known for its yearly contest boot throwing), Waiouru(Army Camp en training area and the army museum).

Once we hit the Rangipo desert with in the back National Tongarino Park with its peaks +2000 m and the famous Tongarino Pass which we would have loved to walk but time is not on our side as we want to reach Bay of Islands and only 4 days left before our flight next sunday to Australia, so choices had to be made...getting out the desert from a straight road to a windy road after a corner Lake Taupo shows up in all of its beaut

It is New Zealands largest lake and filled with trout.

Riding along the borders of the lake we have a coffee stop at Waitetoko where we enjoy the view and a couple of Black Swans with chicks.

Arrived at Taupo we continue our way to Rotorua and its Lake, if there is one town in New Zealand that even a blind person can find it is Rotorua

you just can smell it dued to the geothermal activity of Geyser's.

It is Maori land and a lot of activity's to do around here such as Maori village , Spatherapy, all kinds of sport activity's for young and old...

Rotorua is surrounded by blue and green lakes, they are smaller than Lake Rotorua but just as spectacular.

With its 16 lakes easily accesible it is a popular destination for travellers.

Kaitoke film set Lord of the Rings

Rik's chocolates

Mount Tangarino and Rangipo Desert

Waitetoko,Black Swans

Rangipo Desert and Tangarino Park

Relax time

Next morning we take a bus to the city center to get lost in the city.

Things to do Te Papa Museum, Botanic Garden, Cable Car and a walk at Oriental Bay to Balaena Bay and if possible a hop on bus

At 16h00 we have a appointment with 5 other Belgium people who are travelling at the same time in New Zealand, only difference, they travel from North to South, the opposite of our journey , but today we'll see each other at the entrance of Te Papa Museum...a little chat, a coffee and we all continue our way.

At 18h30 we are invited at Rik and Rita the brother of the brother in law from Martin who lives since 28 years in New Zealand and who makes and sells Belgian chocolat truffles .

We went to a Thai restaurant in Upperhut and after a delicious dinner we joined Rik and Rita at their house in Kaitoke, where we had a very nice evening all together.

Next morning Rik showed us his workshop and explained us how he works and finally we get to taste his truffles...mmmmh ...delicious

Rik took us to a National Park with a swingbridge and also a filmlocation for the movie "Lord of the Rings"

Time to say goodbye and continue our trip.

Wellington

Wellington, view from top of Botanical garden

Need some cash

Old Cable Car

New Cable Car

Botanical Garden

Te Papa Museum

Waiting for a bus

Breakfast , and time to break up and drive to Picton, where we have to take the Ferry Interislander to Wellington on the Northern Island.

It take's about 3h crossing through the Queen Charlotte Sound to sail into full see heading North.

Lovely snapshots and a nice weather...enjoying it all even better.

Time to say goodbye with some regrets to the Southern Island that left a very good impression on me and its valued a big High Five

Up to Wellington and the North Island, see what it'll bring to us

A first stop at the Bull River Swingbridge, New Zealand's longest wit 110 m, a walk over the bridge and down to Bull River , Dorine fears heights , so she stay's in the park reading a book instead....

The ride goes on to Nelson , we park the motorhomle and have a nice walk in the city, followed by a tough walk all the way up to the Central New Zealand Point where you have a stunning view overlooking Nelson and Nelson Bay.

With more sunshine hours than almost anywhere in the country, its whitesand and golden sand beaches, Nelson is a heaven for holidaymakers.

The region is famous for its seafood and fruit growing.

We decide to continue a liitle further to The Marlborough Sounds with hundreds of lovely coves and waterways, a dream for sailing,kayaking, fishing and camping and that is just what we are looking for....

It is also New Zealand's argest wine region with 75% wine production.

It is often mentioned that no wine in the world tastes like the Marlborough Wine( read they think they're the best), though I have another opinion...a very good wine , but....

Arriving at Havelock, best known as the Greenshell Mussel Capital, a large mussel and the best place in town "The Musselpot" guess what...is closed, so no mussels but pancakes made by me and approved by Luc, Martin and Dorine

Leaving the road at Linkwater on a small winding road along Makau Sound and Kenepuru Sound, it take's us to Cowshed Bay...our lovely camp

We're only 50km away from Picton where we have to catch the ferry tomorrow at 14h30

filled up the entire camp spot...it seems a lot of people want to visit the fur seal colony point that can be reached after a 2 hours walk.

We brake up camp and drive back on a unsealed road to Fox Glacier with a nice view upon the glacier, coming down all the way from the mountain into the rainforest, it seems to be a one of a kind...

Some 50 km further a second glacier "the Franz Josef" and we're about to leave Glacierland.

Next village, Whatoroa what means "white heron" and a little bit further on the road 2 lovely Lake's , Lake Maporika and Lake Wahapi.

Time for a nice coffee in Harihari, the village got its name after the Australian Guy Menzie, the first pilot to fly from Sydney over the Tasman Sea, but crashed in the swamps nearby Harihari.

As we arrive in Ross, we follow the goldtrail and end up in Ross Museum of Gold, quite interesting and it must have been hard times those days

It is a historical Goldmine that started in 1860 with the Goldrush.

Lunch we have at the lovely Lake Makinapua...and back on our way to Hokitika, West Coast's most attractive city, since 1866, thanks to the Goldmines, it turned from no more than a settling to a commerce centre where the Gold was traded.

Many Australian mineworkers came by ship to Hokitika , but as it was a tricky harbour, between 1865 and 1866 every 10 weeks a ship didn't make it .

We had a visit to the National Kiwi Center and spotted a Kiwi, didn't know at all they were that big...

From there it goes to Punakaiki to visit the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes, dramatically set on the West Coast.

We need to find a place to Camp and end up in Westport.

On the road to Wanaka we take a look at the Bungy Jump Karawau bridge,43m height...some jump, others backup

Back on the road to Wanaka we take a look at the view point "The Neck" a small piece of land 35 km long between Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka

with some fantastic views on both lakes that are often't mentioned as Southern's most beautiful Lake's.

We were so spoiled to be able to have lunch with such a scene in front of us...life could be worser.

Meantime the clouds moved away and the sun is shining more and more...just the way I like it, so we even get to enjoy the game of colors even better.

Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest lake and Wanaka sit's at the entrance to the Mount Aspiring National Park and is as Queenstown a adventure point .

After lunch we follow the road through the Southern Alps direction Haast with a short stop at Fantail fall's and once past Haast we finally hit the West Coast of New Zealand which is one of the most isolated places with a dramatic coastline and some of the best preserved rain forest through the years.

They say most of rain fall's here but when I ask the locals, it doesn't seem to be like this...as everything is so green I think the truth lay's somewhere in between.

Enjoying the coastal road with some stunning views we have another stop at Knights Point, it seems to be a point where around 1860 a lot of ships were rigged against the rocks.

Further stops at Lake Moeraki and Bruce Bay before we enter the land of glaciers with first glacier at Fox Glacier...it's time to look out for a camp spot and we find a very nice wild camp spot at Gillespie beach, that also used to be a goldmine.

During our evening walk we see some old rusted machine parts that witness the goldmines

Hokonui Hill's

Taringatura Hill's

Arriving in Gore our attention goes to a statue of a huge brown trout in the center of the city.

Apparently Gore is a good spot to catch a trot in the river Mataura... but somehow i'm not very interested ...lol...

fish and me are two things that don't go along...

Gore is also known for the illegal distillery of Moonshine(Whisky) during the bootleg from 1902 till 1953

The story is that the Scottish family Mc Rae , after a long journey from Scotland to New Zealand early 1870 , settled in the Hokunui hill's and it didn't take long before they started to distillate Whisky, at first for own consumption...but quickly they start selling the whisky so they were able to buy clothes and food.

During the bootlegging a lot of illegal distillery's were active and Gore was the city where they sold their Moonshine.

The ride goes on in between the Hokonui and Taringatura Hill's all the way to Lumsden and Kingston, where we want to visit "The Kingston flyer"

a old steam train that has been refurnished and is a great attraction today...but we're as lucky as with the wet weather...the locomotive is away for technical maintenance so only a photo from the railway station at Lake Wakatipu.

Long ago Kingston was the end station for travelers that came all the way South by boat or train , now it turned into a sleeping village.

Another 40km to go to our end station of the day...Queenstown, Capital of adventure, situated at the North East corner of Lake Wakatipu , surrounded by the Remarkables mountain ridge.With its dramatic landscapes and dynamic activities it ensures its position as New Zealand best lake and alpine resort...every adventure you can imagine is done here.

It is also loved by several Hollywood film producers for its stunning scenery.

Some activity's bungy jumping 134m, skydiving,canyon swinging,rafting,skiing,hiking,.....

After a walk in the town center we find a nice Holiday Park for the night...hopefully the sky clears up tomorrow

First stop in Dunedin , known for its yearly piper festival what represents the Scottish influences.St Paul's Anglican Cathedral's two towers are rising out the skyline of Dunedin.

We continue our journey to Milton, Balclutha with a next stop at Nugett Point with it's lighthouse and a lot of fur seals, Penguins, Sea Lions and Sea Elephants to watch....although temperature outside has dropped to 10°...quite chilly and we have to put on our jeans and fleeces .

After a nice walk to the lighthouse and enjoyed the views we continue to Owaka , Purakaunui Falls,Cathedral Caves(entrance closed), Waikawa to have a stop at Curio Bay and Slope Point.

Another 35km drive on gravel roads through the Quarry Hill's arriving in Fortrose where we find a free camping spot at Toetoes Bay ...

I wander what Dorine, our cook of the day is going to serve us...

Driving along the summit road with lot's of nice bay's and hill's we get in the countryside , cows, sheep and a lot of farming going on.

The road goes on passing Ashburton,Timaru and a stop at Oamaru to visit the blue penguins, actually the littlest penguin specie

A nice coffee and we're on our way again, next stop in Moeraki to visit the Moeraki Boulders on the beach, Perfect round boulders laying all over the beach in front of the cliff's .

Our goal Dunedin is another 90 km away, to far away , so we decide to stay over the night at a Moeraki camperpark.

Our Chef Martin serves us a lovely Entrecote , approved by the butcher himself

After the paperworck and complete check, time to drive our little home for 14 days.

As my friends Luc, Martin and Dorine arrive at 15h20 at Christchurch Airport , some time left for some shopping so the motorhome is ready to travel.

Therir flight is right on time , but it takes 1 1/2h to get through immigration and luggage control.

They look pritty good after a 52h long journey...time to drive.

We decided to drive to Akaroa Bay , 60 km and find a spot to stay over the night.

As we drive through the hilly countryside that makes me think about Scotland Highlands we get too capture some stunning views.

Once arrived in Akaroa we easily find a nice camperpark.

Today's menu...Chicken with a delicious salsad and potatoes and a nice glass of Marlborough Sauvignon

Time to catch up some sleep...

Auckland New Zealand.

It takes about 5,5 hours to get there , once landed , got to get through immigration...all goes well and some time later I'm boarded on the airplkane that goes to Christchurch, final destination in New Zealand.

Once I get out of the Domestic Airport the shuttle service is waiting for me to bring me to the Aarburg hotel where I booked a room for the night.

Some time left so I took a bus to the center and went for a walk through the heavy destructed town by a earthquake a few years ago....first thought...there's a lot of work here four a builder , but I also think about all the people that lost their homes...

I found a nice little pub where I was treated with a nice pint of mouteight beer and some lamchops...delicious

Eerst alle passagiers ophalen in de diverse resorts, varieert van Amerikanen, Fransen en Japanezen , de één wat meer met zijn neus in de lucht als de andere maar uiteindelijk kom ik toch tot gesprek met een Fransman uit Strassbourg die hier is om een burnout op het werk te voorkomen.

Terwijl we de andere passagiers ophalen blijkt dat er heel wat meer aan de hand is met Guy, zijn dochter van 23 jaar blijkt te lijden aan wekelijks terugkomende epilepsieaanvallen en de behandelende dokters staan voor een raadsel, ze weten welke ziekte zij heeft maar weten niet hoe de ziekte te behandelen...na ons gesprek trekken we de rest van de dag verder samen op.

De eerste stop is het koraalrif +-/ 2 à 3m diep waar we een half uur naar hartelust mogen snorkelen...woorden schieten me hier wederom tekort.

Volgende stop in de lagune in water van+/- 1.5m diep en kristalhelder. Hier gaan we zwemmen tussen de roggen en zwartpunt haaien

Luis begint te dollen met de roggen, en wat later kunnen we elk op zijn beurt met de roggen spelen, ze zwemmen tussen ons , raken ons opzettelijk...wat een belevenis, de haaien +/- 1,5 tot 2 m groot zwemmen eveneens tussen ons door en in den beginne is dit wel even schrikken, maar eens je 5 minuten in het water bent let je er zelf niet meer op.

Wel eventjes stipuleren dat dit type haai ongevaarlijk is voor de mens, bij de derde stop is het wel duidelijk wanneer Luis de zwartpunt haaien gaat voeden en wij in het water het spektakel achter een koord kunnen volgen, dit wel degelijk jagers zijn en moest een mens op een dergelijk moment tussen die haaien zou terecht komen het wel eens slecht zou kunnen aflopen.

Tijd om de hongerige magen te spijzen op een prachtig privé motu, waar een traditionele polynesische tafel ons staat op te wachten , geserveerd in een gevlochten palmblad en onder muzikale begeleiding op de ukelele door Luis en de kok verorberen we onze lunch.Na de lunch nog wat luieren op de mooie stranden en wat verpozen in de lagune om vervolgens de passagiers opnieuw naar hun resorts te brengen.

Het einde van een geweldige excursie...