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Pancakes Rocks & Blowholes In Punakaiki

By on 31. March 2008 in New Zealand
Truman Trail at Sunset, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Truman Trail at Sunset, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

On our way up the west coast, Hokitika, New Zealand’s jade capital, was a must stop-over. Carefree, we toured the shops because having a car makes souvenir hunting so much more irresistible. What will we do with the ever growing box of artwork, jewellery and knickknacks? The latest idea was sending it from Hong Kong to Bangkok, our very last stop before going home, because the costs for sending such a heavy parcel to Europe are frightening.

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Driving Up The West Coast

By on 30. March 2008 in New Zealand

 

Steaming oceans accompanied us going further north towards Westport, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Steaming oceans accompanied us going further north towards Westport, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Leaving Wanaka behind, we travelled straight up the West Coast enjoying the very scenic route. First, the road follows the shore of Lake Hawea, then turns and embraces the northern shore of Lake Wanaka. The steep slopes of mountains bordering these lakes all show the typical “furrows” carved by the glaciers. Continue Reading →

New Zealand Farming News

By on 29. March 2008 in New Zealand
"Grand View" Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone... South Island, New Zealand

“Grand View” Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone… South Island, New Zealand

Among the many interesting things we learned about farming, one blew our mind: New Zealand farmers do not receive any subsidies from their government anymore. Needless to say that they are not happy that these eventually ran out, but for us it was the living proof that the criticism of the European Union’s farming policy is more than justified. Continue Reading →

Staying On The Kane Farm In Wanaka

By on 28. March 2008 in New Zealand

 

"Grand View" Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone... South Island, New Zealand

“Grand View” Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone… South Island, New Zealand

How did we end up staying on a farm with the loveliest family? Way back, when we travelled through Bolivia, we met Julie Kane from New Zealand. She was on that same horror flight to Rurrenabaque at Bolivia’s Amazon basin, which took two attempts and two days to get us there. Continue Reading →

Two Hours In Queenstown

By on 27. March 2008 in New Zealand
Queenstown;s scenic backdrop (Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu), South Island, New Zealand

Queenstown’s scenic backdrop (Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu), South Island, New Zealand

From what we had heard and read about this small town, it was clear to us that a very short stopover would do, just to see for ourselves what New Zealand’s adrenaline-activity capital was all about… Continue Reading →

Energy, Environment & Economic Interests

By on 26. March 2008 in New Zealand
Sailing the Doubtful Sound, South Island, New Zealand

Sailing the Doubtful Sound, South Island, New Zealand

The West Arm of Doubtful Sound is also the location of an underground power station that was built in the late 1960s to supply energy for an aluminium smelter (!) near Invercargill. The idea behind the project was to use the 167 meter difference in altitude between Lake Manapouri and Deep Cove near the ocean. Continue Reading →

Overnight Cruise On Doubtful Sound

By on 25. March 2008 in New Zealand
Sailing the Doubtful Sound, South Island, New Zealand

Sailing the Doubtful Sound, South Island, New Zealand

If the name Doubtful Sound seems weird: Captain Cook wisely refused to sail into the sound, since there seemed to be no easterly winds to take the boat back out again. He thus named it Doubtful Harbour. The Doubtful Sound, at the very heart of Fjordland, is absolutely massive and to do an overnight cruise was the wisest decision ever! Continue Reading →

Spectacular Milford Sound

By on 23. March 2008 in New Zealand
Sailing the Milford Sound on the MV Friendship, South Island, New Zealand

Sailing the Milford Sound on the MV Friendship, South Island, New Zealand

In Te Anau, the gateway to the Milford Sound, we stayed at Rosie’s Homestay (one of the highest rated BBH), which we only can highly recommend. The first afternoon, we just went on a two hours walk around Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay to move our lazy bones after spending hours and hours in the car. Continue Reading →

Working Our Way Along The South Coast

By on 21. March 2008 in New Zealand

 

Sea Lion (Zalophus Californianus), Waipapa Point, the Catlins, South Island, New Zealand

Sea Lion (Zalophus Californianus), Waipapa Point, the Catlins, South Island, New Zealand

Before we reached our last overnight stop in the south, Colac Bay, we stocked up at a huge supermarket in Invergarcill. We mention this, because it was an experience in itself. After seeing only beauty for the last few days, we now felt like being on a different planet when shopping in this commercial hub of 50.000 souls. To put it mildly, the city has a rough edge that can be seen in people’s appearance! Continue Reading →

The Catlins: Finally Catching The Vibes

By on 20. March 2008 in New Zealand
Deserted Beaches, the Catlins, South Island, New Zealand

Deserted Beaches, the Catlins, South Island, New Zealand

The morning we left Dunedin, we spontaneously decided to change plans. Instead of going north to do some cycling on the Otega Rail Trail, we went south. It was the accounts of two people that convinced us the Catlins cannot be missed. What a lucky decision! Continue Reading →