Nelson to Queenstown Couchsurfing

In Nelson, the oldest town in New Zealand with a nice flair, I tried again Couchsurfing for 3 nights and I had a great time with this local and his dog. Very good talks, story exchanges and lots of laughs. I explored meanwhile the Abal Tasman Park and tramped 6 hours through forests and beautiful beaches.

Some days later I joined an Italian Lady to Franz Josef Glacier situated on the Westcoast. It was a beautiful walk,  but the Glacier is because of the climate change left very short. From this small village, leaving with some Rugby knowledge, I headed down to Wanaka. 

The bus drive was incredibly beautiful and I arrived in Wanaka with so much Energy and Love for New Zealand that my time in Wanaka was just amazing. My host from Couchsurfing was a perfect host and I gad a lot of fun with the whole house. I also explored the ski areas once over hitchhiking and once with my host.  First time in my life hitchhiked - and I was so lucky,  I had a fun day with some Australians. I went biking through Nationalparks and explored the wonderful surrounding areas.
From Wanaka I travelled by bus to Queenstown where I met my next host. Also a very positive experience and lots of fun in the mountains with him.

10 great helpX days at a Horse Farm

For 10 days I was staying at a show jumping ranch and helped the rider with the daily duties in exchange of food and accommodation.  It was great fun,  surroundings beautiful and horses a challenge. Cleaning,  feeding,  riding for more then one week - loved it.

Oamaru to Lake Tekapo

After Dunedin we travelled to Oamaru.  Special little place, felt like we have been travelling back in time. The whitestone townscape of Oamaru contains some of the best-preserved heritage buildings in New Zealand. In the late 19th century, the town prospered through goldmining, quarrying and timber milling. Some of the wealth was spent on elegant stone buildings made from local limestone. The Harbour-Tyne Street area is particularly special.

Oamaru Harbour is home to a colony of little blue penguins, and you should could also see yellow-eyed penguins from a special hide. Unfortunately we were not lucky at penguin viewing, despite we tried hard.

From Oamaru we travelled to Christchurch and did some sightseeing.  Christchurch was hit by a earthquake in 2001 very badly.  185 people died and lots of buildings and infrastructure were destroyed.  Christchurch is still struggling with the consequences.

We left Christchurch to Lake Tekapo where we spend some beautiful days hiking and relaxing.

Te Anau to Dunedin

From Queenstown to my next point of interest took 3 hours by bus. Milford Sound - I was pleased with fantastic weather.  Such a gorgeous spot,  definitely worth every cent. In Te Anau where I stayed at the youth hostel I met a nice young lady from Austria. We decided to catch up at the next opportunity.

So I travelled to Dunedin to catch up with her including quick overnight stop in Invergargill. 

Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. The harbour and hills around Dunedin are the remnants of an extinct volcano.

Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, is the world's steepest residential street, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
A short straight street a little under 350 metres long, Baldwin Street rises from 30 m above sea level to 100 m above sea level at the top, an average slope of slightly more than 1:5. That is, for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the elevation changes by 1 metre.

New Zealand has three species of penguin, two of them we luckily saw.
On the land penguins have an ungainly waddle, marching upright like self-important little people. But in the water they take on a new grace, diving and swooping with acrobatic agility.

Of New Zealand's species, the korora, or little blue penguin, is the world’s smallest penguin. The rare hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, is distinguished by its vivid yellow eye band. We were lucky to spot them on the Otago Peninsula, just south of Dunedin. We had a really nice experience there to have a close up view on the penguins, sea lions and fur seals.

Rotorua and back to Taupo for Skiing

Rotorua Area is famous because of her horrible egg smell and volcano activities. The whole area is covered in steam and lakes in beautiful but toxic lakes.  Really impressive countless geothermal attractions and some of the best ! 

Rotorua is also the place to discover the Maori Culture and find out more about this native tribes. The Māori originated with settlers from eastern Polynesia, who arrived in New Zealand in several waves of canoe voyages at some time between 1250 and 1300 CE. Over several centuries in isolation, the Polynesian settlers developed a unique culture that became known as the "Māori", with their own language, a rich mythology, distinctive crafts and performing arts. The arrival of Europeans to New Zealand starting from the 17th century brought enormous change to the Māori way of life. Māori people gradually adopted many aspects of Western society and culture. Initial relations between Māori and Europeans were not really good, and with the signing of theTreaty of Waitangi in 1840, the two cultures coexisted as part of a new British colony. Māori tribes have their own TV channel, are integrated in society, mostly friendly and pretty people. Sure their are still big land ownership issues and the population is not united.

From a culture and geothermal Experience I went back to Taupo amd managed to find a local to bring me up the Volcano for skiing. Such a lovely day on the slopes and incredibly intressting to be on a Volcano skiing. 

New Zealand Flight to Wellington and stunning Busdrive to Taupo

Off to a new experience - me and New Zealand. 

From Melbourne Australia to Wellington New Zealand. 

Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and its quite cute. Nice bars, shopping streets and a really great Museum about NZ Science and History.  From Wellington I tavelled 7 hours by Bus to Taupo.  The Busdrive to Taupo takes you through beautiful green sheepy landscapes, Vulcanos covered in Snow and small to big lakes. 

Taupo is situated in the middle of the North Island and is my favourite place in New Zealand so far. A lake as big as Singapore and views on three snowy Volcanos, surrounded by natural hot pools in lakes and rivers. What can u wish more. Sailing, mountain biking,  skiing on a Volcano and swimming in hot pools.  

Australia coast-line Trip

I have to apologise my friends,  I was completely lost in our travels this time, that I don't even thought about staying up to date here.

Quick resume about our last weeks in Australia as follows:

After arriving in Carnis, discovering the really northeast part of Australia including Cape Tribulation and Daintree rainforest where we definitely decided to not like rainforest trekkings. This isolated piece of paradise retains a frontier quality, with road signs alerting drivers to croc warnings that make beach strolls a little less relaxing.

Followed by Port Douglas were we all nearly get court because of indecent behaviour. After some days without a shower we were desperate for one and took advantage of a beach shower and enjoyed a naked shower. :)

After those adventures days, we arrived after hours of driving and sleeping next to a crocodile beach and lots of sand flys and mosquitos in Arlie Beach. Trust me I can never wear a short dress again, my legs look like they have been in a war. Somehow all those little insects love me and Corinna particularly.

On South Molle Island we celebrated our last days with Nicole and Federico, while camping, enjoying the beautiful nature with one of the amazing sun and moon rises I have ever seen. It was so lovely to have them around, we are missing you a lot.

In Arlie Beach we catched up with Mitch,  who we met already in Gili T. He is a laid back, awesome guy from Western Australia.  He is addicted to Australian Football so we get into this Culture Element quite quickly. He travelled with us for 5 weeks. We enjoyed the Whitsunday Islands,  some of us sailing around,  some camping on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Whitehaven Beach - just epic ;).

One of our favourite places was also Carnarvon Gorge, a beautiful place with lots of walking treks.  Unfortunately our beloved friend Stefanie had a accident while walking in the evening to our Bush Camp Side.  She hit her head on a slippery stone in a river. We were all very worried. But after 2 weeks she was fine again, thanks God for that.

One of my favourite places in Australia is Frazer Island.  Just a perfect Place to escape. Accessible just by 4 x 4 Cars.  Beautiful lakes and Beaches. The whole Island is out of Sand and trees are growing out of the Sand.

On that point I would like to introduce you to my family in Australia, traveled to Australia in 1940. Wim my Granduncle came by ship, travelling over 6 weeks.  I did not meet him before and I was excited to meet my Australian Family. In Brisbane I had the chance to meet one part of it. Nervously knocking on the first " Family" Door and hoping they do know who I am, i was deeply touched afterwards how they locked us all in thier hearts.

We travelled through wonderful and funny places as Surfers Paradies,  Byron Bay, Newcastle and enjoyed our last beach and surfing days. In this time also my wish to see a whale came true, in Coffes Harbour jumped one surprisingly out of the water. Also a dolfine was jumping happily around. Perfect sight, loved it :)

In Sydney we had the Chance to stay with a friend of Mitch, happy that we do not have to camp anymore as it was getting really cold at night and our camping heart was getting a little low. One freezing night before we had a lovely day at Hunter Valley,  feeling like champions because of the wine field surroundings and a glass of Sparkling Wine. Completely awesome to taste it after such a long time without it.

After a lovely time in Sydney, Sightseeing through the City and watching a Dolfine jumping out next to a Surfer,  we travelled to the Blue Mountains.  Gorgeous surroundings of mountains.

Next stop was Canberra were we stayed with my Granduncle and Grandaunty. Canberra is the capital city of Australia. The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities. 

From Canberra we made our way to Jindabyne.  A lovely place in the Snowy Mountains, where I met an other part of my family.  Enjoying my family and some horse riding,  it was one of my favourite places in Australia. Unfortunately our beloved car Charlie died on the way to Jindabyne. What a sad moment. He was such a good old boy and a lovely home for 2 months.

Nevertheless, we travelled by Bus to Melbourne and enjoyed one week of Home feeling at a friends house of Jonathan and enjoyed the city of Melbourne and surrounding of wines and the Great Ocean Road.

On 17th July we had to sadly say goodbye to Stefanie anf Jonathan.  They moved on to Burma for some weeks before going home. On 19th July I was waving Corinna at the Airport flying to Home Sweet Home. Such a strange feeling to see them go, 24 hours a day together during amazing and adventurous 10 months. Unforgettable memories.

Before I left Australia I enjoyed the Australian Mountains, Mt. Hotham, and snowboarding with Mitch.  Such a great place and surprisingly good snow conditions.  Thanks Mitchy for organising such a great weekend and for winter paradis feeling.

Note: By the way,  i did not get friends with the Aborigines.  One girl hit me in Cairns without any reason, while I was on the phone.  Such a shame, as I am really interested in history and native cultures. I just can say they do really nice Art Works.