New Zealand Trip

Still under major construction

In November of 1998, I visited New Zealand's South Island. I met a friend of mine (Greg) in Honolulu who flew in from Los Angeles only hours before. We departed Honolulu (HNL) at 0100hrs to Sydney, overnigted, and then flew on to Christchurch.

Now in Christchurch, Greg and I rented a van and made our way up to Picton to meet two more friends (Troy and Ruth). Now remember, these guys drive on the left side of the road. I'm driving a five speed van (shifting with my left hand) on the "wrong" side of the road in a foreign country. YIPES!! Right turns are horrifying. I always want to look left and figure I'll just merge into traffic. OH NO!

Anway, so Troy and Ruth flew into Auckland a week before. They toured the North Island and caught the ferry over from Wellington to meet Greg and I in Picton.

We met Troy and Ruth somewhere around 1830 hours and somehow managed to pack all of our stuff (Four people, four mountain bikes, four peoples' luggage....You get the idea) in and be off to Kaiteriteri. this would be the North tip of the South Island (Nelson area).

Click on button forimage and description:

Nelson - Kaiteriteri

Our first ride was Rameka Track.

Franz Josef

How about some glaciers in the south Pacific?
While in Franz Josef, we stayed at the Waiho Country Stable Stay. Contact Alex and Suzy Miller at waiho@minidata.co.nz. See some pictures of their place. Their place features majestic views of the Southern Alps, with its peaks, glaciers and rainforest. Their place also features a garden with large rocks and native plants. They have developed a natural wetland habitat to encourage wildlife ecosystems.

Queenstown

Troy and Ruth Atop Fernhill.

Troy descending at the end of Fernhill Loop.

Christchurch

Our hosts in Christchurch at the end of our ride.