Three months of navigating Australia and only such a small part of such a big country explored marked time for the next adventure, and where better to kick off than Queenstown. The adventure, outdoorsy town was everything for which it is known: beautiful and electric (in an adrenaline fuelled way). We signed up for some much anticipated snow boarding and luckily I picked up just about where I left off all those months ago in Austria, however the experience was quite different. Hitchhiking up the mountain provided the opportunity to meet some great people and I’m still impressed at how cold weather becomes completely irrelevant when there is so much fun to be had. I’m certainly not complaining.
Helen’s friend Steen Brady was kind enough to have us to stay for ten days and on Helen’s departure, played out of her boots and lent me her car for a one week exploration of the south of the south island. The weather didn’t exactly play the part, however I did manage to spot the ever elusive yellow eyed penguins and some seals which made bracing the elements totally worthwhile. On returning to Queenstown I collected a magnificent piece of machinery which I had agreed to relocate to Auckland within nine days for a rental company. Pretty good deal with them covering a tank of fuel, insurance and a ferry ticket for the car to get across to the north island - an experience in itself. Being on my own for the journey, I had a lot of time to think about life, stop off at random spots and take many pictures of all that I came across. Below, a sample of some of the magic is to be found.
Arriving in Auckland I was hosted by a Brady once more - this time Nic stepped up and once again I was provided with some transport with which to explore the town and greater Auckland area. I do hope some day I can repay all of the generosity I’ve experienced by hosting all of my friends made abroad in the not-so-scary, but extremely beautiful and generously priced Africa.
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Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
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Boarding on The Remarkables
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Harbour view, Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
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Nic, Helen and Steen outside Steen's pad
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I was the only one camping just to the left of the pic at Milford Sound
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Milford Sound was spectacular
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Road tripping makes it apparent how sheep outnumber people
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Once in while take time out for a Cappuccino and Dr Seuss
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Dunedin Train Station
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Road tripping up the west coast of the south island
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Hiking in the Abel Tasman National Park
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| The anticipated 'warmer weather' on the North Island |
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Nic's cool suburb - Freemans Bay, Auckland
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