On Monday midday we left the city and drove right to Turangi on the south of Lake Taupo. There it starts with the thermal springs and hot mud pools and further in the south west are some inactive volcanoes. The hostel wasn’t the best and the bedroom rather cold, but the host provide a map and some information about the area. So on the next day we visited Mordor (Tongariro National Park) and a lovely waterfall, which should appear in the movie but I haven’t yet found out where. Further on we drove to Taupo, visited the Huka falls, a geothermal active area and finally looked for an accommodation in Rotorua. It’s the awful smell of rotten eggs which made our stay in this city a bit unpleasant. Although we had already a busy day we booked for a Maori event which took place at the evening. It started with a funny bus drive to the village. Our bus driver explained what “Kia ora” means in over sixty languages, includes several jokes and with the typical accent. Then a passenger was chosen to represent the group. This one had to pick up a welcome present and show that we come in peace and not for war. After this ceremony we were welcomed in the village where, in different houses, they showed how they lived. Then we lifted up our dinner which was steamed on hot rocks in a hole in the earth. But before we had something to eat we were entertained with typical songs and dances. In a nutshell it was very interesting and the dinner yummy.
On the next morning we had a look into the government gardens and drove outside of the city to some lakes and to the redwood forest. There are only Californian Redwood trees planted and was a good break from the disgusting smell. The weather got bad and we drove across the island to the Waitomo glow worm caves.
(all pictures will be uploaded later on. Sry guys...)
Dienstag, 28. Juni 2011
Road trip: Wellington -> Napier
On Sunday we walked to the car rental, which was supposed to be in the city to get our car. Well, my “shortcut”, which included a walk over a bridge to cross the railway, was more like a visiting tour for the rugby stadium and so it took a bit longer until we arrived there. In addition the computer network was broken and we had to wait for our car even longer. Furthermore, when we finally had drove back to the hostel and got our luggage in the car (there was no seat left!) and was leaving the city, I noticed that I had forgotten my cell phone charger! Damn it! So I drove back again to the hostel and got it back.
After all we head up north and stopped the first time in Foxton, a lovely, small one street town, but they have a windmill and an electric powered bus, which replaced a street train.
After we visited the whole town, we went on to the East coast and arrived at sunset in Hastings where we drove up to a lookout point. The view was magnificent and after the sun was gone we drove to Napier, a town in “art deco” style. Not only was of the city destroyed in an earthquake back in the 30’s but also it lifted up the land around the town and gave more space for the habitants. However, they decided to build all the buildings in this new style with all of its cigarette, zig-zag, flowers or sunburst patterns. In addition the town has a beautiful public waterfront and a pedestrian friendly downtown and once a year the 30’s get alive again.
After all we head up north and stopped the first time in Foxton, a lovely, small one street town, but they have a windmill and an electric powered bus, which replaced a street train.
After we visited the whole town, we went on to the East coast and arrived at sunset in Hastings where we drove up to a lookout point. The view was magnificent and after the sun was gone we drove to Napier, a town in “art deco” style. Not only was of the city destroyed in an earthquake back in the 30’s but also it lifted up the land around the town and gave more space for the habitants. However, they decided to build all the buildings in this new style with all of its cigarette, zig-zag, flowers or sunburst patterns. In addition the town has a beautiful public waterfront and a pedestrian friendly downtown and once a year the 30’s get alive again.
Wellington (Friday/Saturday 17./18. of June)
Seven o’clock, my flight is cancelled! With my luggage I went to the airport just to see that my flight was cancelled. They started to fly on Thursday afternoon at every airport, but Queenstown. Fortunately they transferred all passengers to the five to twelve flight on an aircraft which was here since Wednesday. So one day and two hours later I left Queenstown flew first to Christchurch and further to Wellington. There I took the bus to the city, but had some problems where to go out of the bus. The bus driver didn’t really understand where I want to get off and so I got off after we passed the parliament. That was, in fact, a key place for me: I knew that I shouldn’t pass this building! xD
However, with my big backpack, my suitcase and a smaller bag I walked town towards the waterfront, where the Downtown backpackers is situated. On my way down I met a kind woman, who asked where I want to go. She had just parked her car and was on her way back to the office. She explained me the way to the backpacker and after fifteen minutes I arrived gladfully at the hostel. There I checked in and waited for Anna, who I was supposed to meet at four.
We went to town and looked for a place to have dinner, because none of us was interested to cook. It was in the Cuba Street, where we found a Spanish restaurant with excellent food.
We both lost one day cause of the ash cloud and that’s why Saturday was a full program day. Firstly, we walked to the visitor information, I bought a ticket for the sightseeing bus and we drove almost one loop until the cable car station. The cable cabin (swiss made) brought us up to the hills above Wellington and the Botanic gardens. Although it’s winter here, it was nice to walk through the park and we found some flowers as well. We’d just finished our walk through the park when it started to rain and were glad that our bus arrived and drop us off at Te Papa. This is the national museum of New Zealand and is very interesting and also quite popular. When you enter the building you can let your coat and bag at a reception for free and start at one of four floors. The exhibitions show about the flora and fauna of New Zealand, Maoris, the history of the last 200 years, earthquakes and volcanoes and lot more. We were so interested that we left the museum only because it closed at six o’clock.
After that we walked through the city until we were hungry enough to have dinner. We walked in a well looking restaurant were we had a good piece of meat and cooked it by ourselves on a hot stone. It sounds a bit complicated and in fact it was, but also absolutely delicious.
However, with my big backpack, my suitcase and a smaller bag I walked town towards the waterfront, where the Downtown backpackers is situated. On my way down I met a kind woman, who asked where I want to go. She had just parked her car and was on her way back to the office. She explained me the way to the backpacker and after fifteen minutes I arrived gladfully at the hostel. There I checked in and waited for Anna, who I was supposed to meet at four.
We went to town and looked for a place to have dinner, because none of us was interested to cook. It was in the Cuba Street, where we found a Spanish restaurant with excellent food.
We both lost one day cause of the ash cloud and that’s why Saturday was a full program day. Firstly, we walked to the visitor information, I bought a ticket for the sightseeing bus and we drove almost one loop until the cable car station. The cable cabin (swiss made) brought us up to the hills above Wellington and the Botanic gardens. Although it’s winter here, it was nice to walk through the park and we found some flowers as well. We’d just finished our walk through the park when it started to rain and were glad that our bus arrived and drop us off at Te Papa. This is the national museum of New Zealand and is very interesting and also quite popular. When you enter the building you can let your coat and bag at a reception for free and start at one of four floors. The exhibitions show about the flora and fauna of New Zealand, Maoris, the history of the last 200 years, earthquakes and volcanoes and lot more. We were so interested that we left the museum only because it closed at six o’clock.
After that we walked through the city until we were hungry enough to have dinner. We walked in a well looking restaurant were we had a good piece of meat and cooked it by ourselves on a hot stone. It sounds a bit complicated and in fact it was, but also absolutely delicious.
Writing Exam & extra day
Finally, all the exams are over and we celebrated that in the evening. I also tried my first pizza in Winnies. We (Carina and I) wanted to take the night bus back home, but we forgot that on Wednesday there is no night bus! Of course we noticed that a half an hour after our last bus left Queenstown. So we continued to celebrate and took a taxi home. It wasn’t late, because my flight was supposed to go on the next days. I knew that there’s an ash cloud over us, but Air New Zealand was still flying, at lower altitude and with other flight paths. Unfortunately, exactly on that day they didn’t fly too. My problems, however, were not that big. I went to their desk and got a flight on Friday ten o’clock. Victor had more difficulties, because his flight was with Jetstar (belongs to Quantas), which didn’t fly the whole week! He arranged that he could get with Air New Zealand to Auckland and from there with another airline back to Spain – only two days later.
We spent the day in Queenstown and found the time ;-) to go to the cinema and watched Hangover Part II, which is funny but crazy! I’m sure that some parts will be censored in the German version.
We spent the day in Queenstown and found the time ;-) to go to the cinema and watched Hangover Part II, which is funny but crazy! I’m sure that some parts will be censored in the German version.
The Catlins
(5./6. of June)
This famous coastline is situated at the south east on the South island and is a rough but beautiful place with lots of different bays, inlets, cliffs and waterfalls. Although there’s a well maintained scenic route, you can reach the best places only by gravel roads and they are a different kettle of fish. They dotted with holes and bumps and often so narrow, that it’s difficult to cross. Furthermore there is no cell phone connection at all, it’s like you would travel back in time. Fortunately we didn’t have any problem with our car despite the fact that it had been driven over 240’000 km.
The first stop was a lagoon near Invercagill, but it was a flop- nothing special just water and a normal, boring beach. However, we went on and reached at our first light house, which was nice, and saw some sea lions. They should be the only mammals we would see on this trip apart from sheep, cows, rabbits (death and alive) and of course other humans. ;-)
We travelled in a comfortable speed and stopped wherever we liked and we found out at which time we could visit the cathedral caves, which are only accessible during low tide if you don’t want to swim there. After we watched at the sunset, behind the clouds, we drove to a backpackers and there began our where-could-we sleep-tonight-journey:
The first backpacker was full apart from single rooms, which are quite expensive. But the woman there told us the next backpacker has still some beds left. So we moved on, without asking how many beds are empty here and how much they would cost - we were with stupid, which you can see shortly. Surprise, surprise the next backpacker was not empty anymore, but full and we looked on our Catlins map for other accommodations. Yes there were quite a lot so we moved on. But we weren’t successful at all. In short terms, we found just cabins, cottages or not even that, so we drove back to the second backpackers and asked there if they could phone another hostel. I had a déjà- vu, were we in the same situation on our Easter trip in Akaroa, but now with a bit more fuel left. Unfortunately no-one picked up the phone and so we were left alone again. We drove to the next bigger town and found there finally a backpacker or even better a house. Nobody was there, but there was a message left, on which was written that we could choose our room and they will come over later. One of the rooms was a dorm room with four beds – perfect.
We prepared dinner and were eating when the owner popped in and put on the heat pump. Afterwards he came again and we paid him for the night thirty bucks each.
On the next day it was freezing cold in the living room. I knew that the word insulation is not known in New Zealand, but 9.5 degree inside the house was too extreme. However, we ate our breakfast quickly and drove to the coast to take some pictures of the sunrise. Later we drove to the cathedral caves, which we could visit only during low tide. They were amazingly high and situated on the edge of a huge sand beach.
The last point on our list was Nugget Point, the last place in the Catlins. Although we wanted to see the sunset from this point, we drove back home earlier. The reason was, what else, the weather which sent us some clouds. At least it didn’t rain on our way back to Queenstown, where I drove everyone at home and parked the car in front of my home stay. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.
This should be the last trip on the south island. On the next weekend is the speaking exam and the writing will follow on Wednesday.
This famous coastline is situated at the south east on the South island and is a rough but beautiful place with lots of different bays, inlets, cliffs and waterfalls. Although there’s a well maintained scenic route, you can reach the best places only by gravel roads and they are a different kettle of fish. They dotted with holes and bumps and often so narrow, that it’s difficult to cross. Furthermore there is no cell phone connection at all, it’s like you would travel back in time. Fortunately we didn’t have any problem with our car despite the fact that it had been driven over 240’000 km.
The first stop was a lagoon near Invercagill, but it was a flop- nothing special just water and a normal, boring beach. However, we went on and reached at our first light house, which was nice, and saw some sea lions. They should be the only mammals we would see on this trip apart from sheep, cows, rabbits (death and alive) and of course other humans. ;-)
We travelled in a comfortable speed and stopped wherever we liked and we found out at which time we could visit the cathedral caves, which are only accessible during low tide if you don’t want to swim there. After we watched at the sunset, behind the clouds, we drove to a backpackers and there began our where-could-we sleep-tonight-journey:
The first backpacker was full apart from single rooms, which are quite expensive. But the woman there told us the next backpacker has still some beds left. So we moved on, without asking how many beds are empty here and how much they would cost - we were with stupid, which you can see shortly. Surprise, surprise the next backpacker was not empty anymore, but full and we looked on our Catlins map for other accommodations. Yes there were quite a lot so we moved on. But we weren’t successful at all. In short terms, we found just cabins, cottages or not even that, so we drove back to the second backpackers and asked there if they could phone another hostel. I had a déjà- vu, were we in the same situation on our Easter trip in Akaroa, but now with a bit more fuel left. Unfortunately no-one picked up the phone and so we were left alone again. We drove to the next bigger town and found there finally a backpacker or even better a house. Nobody was there, but there was a message left, on which was written that we could choose our room and they will come over later. One of the rooms was a dorm room with four beds – perfect.
We prepared dinner and were eating when the owner popped in and put on the heat pump. Afterwards he came again and we paid him for the night thirty bucks each.
On the next day it was freezing cold in the living room. I knew that the word insulation is not known in New Zealand, but 9.5 degree inside the house was too extreme. However, we ate our breakfast quickly and drove to the coast to take some pictures of the sunrise. Later we drove to the cathedral caves, which we could visit only during low tide. They were amazingly high and situated on the edge of a huge sand beach.
The last point on our list was Nugget Point, the last place in the Catlins. Although we wanted to see the sunset from this point, we drove back home earlier. The reason was, what else, the weather which sent us some clouds. At least it didn’t rain on our way back to Queenstown, where I drove everyone at home and parked the car in front of my home stay. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.
This should be the last trip on the south island. On the next weekend is the speaking exam and the writing will follow on Wednesday.
Dienstag, 14. Juni 2011
Stewart Island
(As usual) I left school at this Friday (3. June, sry guys I had to study ;-))in the lunch break, rented a car and drove with Anna, Anja and Ivan to Invercagil. There we bought spaghetti, tomato sauce and other things for breakfast, such as coffee, bread and jam. Just in time we arrived at the ferry terminal to check in and later we could go on the boat, which can carry up to ten tonnes or 100 passengers with luggage. It took us almost one hour to set over to Stewart Island, the first destination on our weekend trip. It was there at the backpacker when I realised that I forgot my camera. On this point I want to apologise for the poor quality of the pictures, which I took with my smartphone, and say thank you to Ivan, who took really good pictures during this trip (I will highlight them).
It rained the whole saturday morning so we didn't take a longer walk, we took a bus tour instead. Althoughon the island are only 27km of roads, almost every one of the 300 permanent habitants have a own car. We were driven around and had a look to the nearst beaches, which are beautiful. Our tour guide also told us about the daily life here and why "smith" is a typical (maori) name here.
However, due the rainy weather we decided to leave the island on the next day's morning and head up to the catlins.
In the next days my report from the catlins will follow, but I just haven't found the time lately, because I study hard (or sth like that). My next report will be presented from the north island, where the weather should be a bit better and warmer.
Cheers
It rained the whole saturday morning so we didn't take a longer walk, we took a bus tour instead. Althoughon the island are only 27km of roads, almost every one of the 300 permanent habitants have a own car. We were driven around and had a look to the nearst beaches, which are beautiful. Our tour guide also told us about the daily life here and why "smith" is a typical (maori) name here.
However, due the rainy weather we decided to leave the island on the next day's morning and head up to the catlins.
In the next days my report from the catlins will follow, but I just haven't found the time lately, because I study hard (or sth like that). My next report will be presented from the north island, where the weather should be a bit better and warmer.
Cheers
Mittwoch, 1. Juni 2011
Hike and fly
Sorry guys that you had to wait for such a long time until I post my last weekend.
For those who are frequently on facebook might have seen my comment about hike and fly. Here follows the full explanation about this trip.
Although I went out on Saturday I got up at half past nine, picked up my glider and took the next bus to town. It was a bit windy, but not to much, so I was sure I could fly today. Surprisingly, when I walked up from the gondola to the take off place, I could hear the wind in the tree, which is a no-go for flying. Indeed, at my start place, there was a strong crosswind, even too strong for ground handling. I waited for about fifteen minutes and couldn't see any change, so I decided, instead of waiting I could go hiking. I had follewed the ridge until I came to the walking track, which goes up to Ben Lomond saddle and top. On my way to the saddle I crossed many hikers, but none of them had a bigger backpack.
Surprisingly I walked quite fast and reached the saddle after one hour fifteen. The wind up there was at least as strong as at my start place, which wasn't a surprise because I walked the whole time against the wind.
Wrong direction and maybe a bit too strong ;-)
However, once at the saddle I thought why shouldn't I go to the top as well? So I went on. I stopped my time, because I wanted to know how long it would take me compared to the last time. After 45min I was on the summit, with only eight minutes longer than without my glider!
I didin't rest for a long time up there because of the strong wind and walked down again.
Finally, after 3 hours 45 minutes, I was back at the take off place, where the wind was ok to start. Although it was a bit turbulent in the air, I could enjoy the flight and landed five minutes later on the rugby pitch in Queenstown. It wasn't the best flight ever, but a great reward after all that hiking.
For those who are frequently on facebook might have seen my comment about hike and fly. Here follows the full explanation about this trip.
Although I went out on Saturday I got up at half past nine, picked up my glider and took the next bus to town. It was a bit windy, but not to much, so I was sure I could fly today. Surprisingly, when I walked up from the gondola to the take off place, I could hear the wind in the tree, which is a no-go for flying. Indeed, at my start place, there was a strong crosswind, even too strong for ground handling. I waited for about fifteen minutes and couldn't see any change, so I decided, instead of waiting I could go hiking. I had follewed the ridge until I came to the walking track, which goes up to Ben Lomond saddle and top. On my way to the saddle I crossed many hikers, but none of them had a bigger backpack.
Surprisingly I walked quite fast and reached the saddle after one hour fifteen. The wind up there was at least as strong as at my start place, which wasn't a surprise because I walked the whole time against the wind.
However, once at the saddle I thought why shouldn't I go to the top as well? So I went on. I stopped my time, because I wanted to know how long it would take me compared to the last time. After 45min I was on the summit, with only eight minutes longer than without my glider!
I didin't rest for a long time up there because of the strong wind and walked down again.
Finally, after 3 hours 45 minutes, I was back at the take off place, where the wind was ok to start. Although it was a bit turbulent in the air, I could enjoy the flight and landed five minutes later on the rugby pitch in Queenstown. It wasn't the best flight ever, but a great reward after all that hiking.
Abonnieren
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