Finally a Pukeko Photo

While cycling around NZ I've been seeing many Pukekos (not sure if I'm supposed to throw on an 'e' and make it Pukekoes... but anyway. These birds seem to be everywhere except when you want to take an actual photo of them as they disappear almost immediately (well at least this is my experience).

UNTIL the other day in the Northland just down the hill from the Dragon Tree Lodge where I finally was able to snap this photo.

These birds can fly but look weird while in flight, perhaps due to their HUGE feet. Anyway, the quest is over... now I can appreciate them as I cycle up the coast from Dunedin.

Peace and Bicycle Grease.
Nathan:)

Northern Escape...

Someone famous once was quoted for saying... "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I did end up going where I was meant to be..." (or something like that).

Last week I decided to leave the rain and cold weather of the South Island and fly up to Auckland and go even further north with Yvon (whom I mentioned in a previous blog). The weather on the South Island has become more and more like autumn (and in the mountains they've already had snow to 1000metres).

So the journey north was well worth the money.

Yvon picked me up at the airport and then we explored Auckland - even went to see the NZ Ballet perform their show "From here to there"... almost ironic the title and my travels. The next morning we left the B&B and headed to the Dragon Tree Lodge in Waipu (pronounced why poo - I say because you might have too). Anyway, the B&B was beautiful and had magical views of Uretiti Beach - which was paradise - and so wonderful to be back in the water and not being attacked by sandflies.

Then we made the decision to head further north to Kerikeri and explore the Bay of Islands before heading even further to see Cape Reinga and Cape North (northernmost point of NZ). Unfortunately for us rain kept us from going to Tepotupotu Bay for the beach/camping area for a swim in what I remember was one of the prettiest beaches in the country. We did however end up at the Te Paki Stream giant sand dunes - hard work climbing sand hills the height of small apartment buildings.

The week was capped off by returning to Waipu and the Dragon Tree Lodge where we spent two more days on the beach before taking the scenic route back to Auckland.

Auckland provided the opportunity to do some souvenir shopping at Mr. Vintage t-shirt shop http://www.mrvintage.co.nz/ and other places around the City of Sails, even finding some bargains as I went along... we even ended up going up SkyTower (just like the CN Tower except not as high). The views were spectacular, an amazing way to see Auckland. We were even fortunate enough to see a few people do the Sky Jump from Sky Tower - a 192m plunge off the side... looked like fun to me! Don't worry I didn't do it dad.

Dinner was at an Indian Restaurant near Ponsonby Road with a friend of Yvon's named Daniel - another great swiss guy.

An amazing week overall - back to reality though with cold air being quite prevalent and southerly winds - hopefully they will help me as I travel up the east coast.

Rainbow Connection

I suppose Kermit was right... "why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side..." oh my I'm quoting a frog (what does this mean).

All I know is that after about 370km of cloud and 95km of that cycling in the rain - seeing the rainbow was just what the doctor ordered.

The rest of the weather even cooperated... the wind was from behind and pushed me up and down hills all the way to Wanaka past Lake Hawea (as is pictured).

Actually the journey from Haast to Wanaka was probably one of my most difficult both emotionally and physically. Emotionally perhaps because of the dismal weather on the Wet Coast (aka West Coast) and Physically because the sheer climb. Climbing the Haast pass was the first time (and hopefully only time) that I actually had to get off my bicycle and walk for approximately 1km before I could continue to ride.

Finally some amazing views of the stunning Southern Alps.

Wanaka provided a day of rest - okay so I climbed a mountain and it took me 2 hours to get to the top but the view from 1578m was 360 degrees of pure delight. Going down the mountain wasn't as much fun... but hey it was worth the pain in my knees. Feelin fit and ready for more fun!

Wild Foods

Kia Ora... just a very quick entry as I've been meaning to blog about the Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika (sorry no pics at the moment). Ended up getting a ride from Punakaiki to Hokitika and experienced the joy of eating the following items: mountain oysters (aka sheep testicles), chocolate covered grasshoppers - the wings didn't taste that good, hu hu grub, chocolate covered worms, mutton bird, and so many other things.

The festival itself is held in a small town on the West Coast of NZ and usually about 15,000 people end up coming and partaking in the crazy foods that are on offer. Of course there was a beer tent, an entertainment tent - where the NZ Army Band performed - and ROCKED the house - both in the afternoon and at the evening celebrations.

Good times were had by all - thanks to Alex, Sylvan and Scott

Westport

After two amazingly beautiful days of cycling from Nelson (Richmond). I finally made it to the West Coast or should I say the Wet Coast (yes it already rained). Today, I cycled to Cape Foulwind and saw more seals (not nearly as close as those that I saw near Cape Farewell).

Apparently a weak Southerly is coming this way - so that means that the winds will be stronger and the weather wetter... fingers crossed that I can make it a bit further south and hopefully make it to the Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika - google it for more details.

Still missing travelling with others - Yvon in particular. That being said however at the moment I'm staying with a local guy named Scott Iremonger... who I met in Takaka. Kiwi's are definitely a trusting 'lot' as once again I have the keys to his house and have been told to make myself at home - so I did by making dinner for he and I last night - and then we were both attacked by sandflies. I'm sure I'll post something about sandflies in the near future as they will really start to bother me on the coast.

Anyway, autumn is almost here...and it's hard to believe that 2 months have almost gone by. My adventure has been heaps of fun so far.

Adventure is about pushing your own personal boundaries and exceeding your own personal expectations.

Kismet

When I left Motueka (well over a week ago) I had the daunting task of climbing from sea level to approx. 800m and then descending to the sea again... I was really worried, however the reward of going to Takaka and Golden Bay weren't only the spectacular views and weather but also the people.

Upon arriving I received a heroes welcome (well sort of)... I was staying at a place called Autumn Farm. Really beautiful place with lots of fresh citrus trees - lemons/lime/grapefruit etc... and met some wonderful guys who offered to take me to see the Farewell Spit (the top of the South Island)... not somewhere you'd want to be during a tsunami.

Initially I had intended to stay for 3 nights and then head inland and then to the East Coast of the South Island. Well after staying 7 or 8 nights (yes I can't even remember the number of days that is how relaxed I became)... I finally decided that I needed to move on.

A wonderful guy named Yvon Hochstrasser (Swiss French) had offered to take my bicycle panniers up the hill and allow me the opportunity of a lighter ride. He and I had been spending heaps of time together all week, chilling out at Doc's Beach, Wharaiki Beach, Cape Farewell, a river swimming hole, checking out the Grove, going daily to the "Fresh Choice" aka "No Choice" supermarket and even kayaked with me... OR I guess I should say - carried a kayak with me.

Yvon and I had quited the time kayaking. A new friend Pete drove us down to the water... providing us with all the gear and gave us suggestions of where to head out in the ocean kayak. Let's just say the sea was rough so we opted for an easier plan and just enjoyed a quick paddle and then a break - followed by a lunch break. I guess we were enjoying the conversation too much and totally didn't realize that the water in front of us was vanishing - as the tide was going out.

Picture two guys laughing - - - up to their knees in mud, trying to avoid little crabs in the sand, and desperately trying to reach the water... Then getting caught in the channel where the water was being sucked back into the sea. The story of course is better told in person...as it makes me smile just recounting the tale.

Sadly Yvon and I said our goodbdyes at the top of Takaka hill - he was super sweet and even brought me a little lunch including a Coca Cola (that was cold). I kept cycling and enjoyed the downhill journey reknewed.

The funny part is that we ended up meeting that evening in Richmond. Went out for a drinks and dinner. It's always great to meet a likeminded traveller and someone that you really connect with - the sad part - besides the fact that he was in a car, was the fact that he was heading to the North Island and I'm about to descend upon the south.

Currently I'm on a dial up connection... but I will post a picture of Yvon and I during the kayaking adventure.

From a Different Perspective...

Okay... so I've been neglecting the blog for a bit and I must apologize, however access to the Internet was expensive on the North part of the South Island and I was totally relaxing in an Oasis of sun, sea, and sand.

A silly thought came over me the other day as I was cycling... what would my bike (T1) say if he had thoughts or expressions (no I haven't lost it...and yes he's a male bicycle). Most likely T1 would believe that he is doing all the work and I'm taking all the glory. Likely T1 would also be a bit annoyed by the fact that at the moment there is a bit of dirt on the seat post from the continual summer/fall road works projects that I've had to cycle through. Also probably in a bit of pain from where some of the paint has been scratched off because of the heavy load.

All in all T1 has been great... a new chain was put on him a week or so ago... and riding ever so smoothly down the hills of the South Island of NZ.

Anyway, enough on the bike...
Nathan:)