New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

The black art of moving from A to B on foreign soil
DavidS
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by DavidS »

Are you going to Akaroa? We found it by accident as we hadn’t got it on our original draft itinerary.
South east of Christchurch, it’s an old volcano that’s opened into the sea.
Fantastic twisty mountain roads or along the coast that makes a great loop. Lovely coves to visit on the outer coast that we couldn’t because the lanes were too narrow for comfort for the camper.
Look out for a nutter on a Suzuki that overtakes on blind corners!
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OnHellas
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

Akaroa was mentioned to us the other day. It’s on the list. We don’t have a plan as such, but we do have the luxury of spending 6 or 7 weeks on the South Island.
It looks as though we maybe heading to Invercargill for the Burt Munroe Rally.
We’ll see.
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

Our usual leisurely start to the day saw us yet again check out a few minutes before the 10am cutoff. I don’t think many places are overly bothered about 10 minutes or so but it’s a good game nonetheless.
Our destination for the day was Franz Josef Glacier and a more luxurious room with the promise of a restaurant dinner.
We try to mix things up with regard to where we stay. Today we fancied something nicer.
The ride was brilliant. Another day of ‘this is why I ride a bike’ kind of ride. I think that I’m going to be feeling that quite often in NZ.
We found a tea stop along the way, a very quirky old place. There where lots of signs, lots of humour, lots of stuff. We also watched a short film on the history of Deer in NZ from the introduction for sport hunting, to them overrunning the place, through hunters being paid per head to cull them and using helicopters to take them out of the remote areas. Some of the methods probably wouldn’t meet current health and safety rules. Jumping out of the whirlygig onto a running stag anyone??
No? Me neither!!

We rode up a dirt road to see the glacier. There was a 10 minute walk at the end which was worth it for the photo.
The sky seems to constantly have a helicopter or three on it ferrying tourists to the glacier and other ‘must see’ sights.
We have declined so far, but.....maybe.

The accommodation, apart from no power sockets beside the bed and the worlds smallest wash basin in the bathroom it was very nice. A proper comfortable bed.
The restaurant didn’t disappoint either. Yum yum.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

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OnHellas
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

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Bruce Bay.
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

From luxury to the tent....via superb scenery, superb riding and a good laugh.
Another day on the road for Sarah and I.
Some of the route was a bit twister on the way to Wanaka (yeah, yeah, we keep reading it that way too😂).

I don’t really know what to say about the ride. It’s just stunning. Although some of the other foreign visitors keep you on your toes so to speak.
Some of them don’t seem to have any idea of how to operate an automobile. It’s actually quite scary to watch them. Especially those in fairly large motorhomes.
Get swiftly by or stay well back.

Wanaka turned out to be Tourist central. It was very busy. We stayed on one of the campsites that we have a discount card for. Kiwi Camps I think (we’re at another one tonight too), 10% off helps a tad and it gets a good chunk off of the ferry crossings between the two islands too.
Anyway, Wanaka. The campsite was full both nights. So different from what we’ve been experiencing. Hey ho. The new tent is working out well, easy to put up and pack away so that’s good. No tantrums with it.... so far.

Another gourmet dinner is being served, a tin of chilli and Uncle Bens rice so I’ll just add that it’s....

Two happy people, two happy bikes...still.
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

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OnHellas
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

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Looking out from Wanaka.
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

Post by OnHellas »

Bringing our journey up to date, it’s Wednesday the 6th and the high class dining experience of tinned chilli and good old Uncle Bens is done.

Wanaka to Invercargill. Wow! Parts of the route today were amazing, if not a bit chilly. The temperature went as low as 8 degrees this morning over a mountain pass. Worth it though, it wasn’t to bust either.

We followed a sign to Historic Arrowtown. Once we’d found the old centre, it wasn’t as obvious as you’d think as the signs ran out.
Anyway, it was a very pretty street we’re lunch was taken. Most people seemed happy spending their holiday wandering in and out of shops looking at stuff that they didn’t know they wanted until they’d seen it.
Yes I know I’m sounding like a miserable old git again and yes when Sarah was having a haircut yesterday I did the same. I didn’t buy anything.

The rest of the ride was nice, the mountains ever present and the temperature just about made it to 15.
Getting in to Invercargill was the end of our riding day. We’d booked a campsite and the receptionist tried to charge us ‘tourist’ price. It took ages to sort out and she didn’t look overly impressed with the discount card on presentation.

Tomorrow sees day one of the Burt Munro Challange. Four days of events, a beach race, a hill climb, speedway, street racing.
We only found out about it a while back. They expect 3000 people to attend and that’s the main reason we chose not to camp at the official event campground. Beer, bands and loads of people would probably equal no sleep.

I’ll let you know how we get on.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.
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Re: New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

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