New Zealand

New Zealand
Arriving in New Zealand was a culture shock to say the least. From leaving the poorest country in Latin America and arriving in one of the cleanest and least populated countries in the world, to be honest, it was a shock but also a welcome break.



Leaving Bolivia on December 19th and arriving on the 21st, i was picked up by long distant family member Brian Knolles, and i was grateful to him. It was 4am. I spent a little time with Brian and his family that day, and very welcoming they all were, before taking a bus to the West coast to surf. Raglan beach. Famous for its consistent decent waves in New Zealand.





Raglan
Raglan is a small, very friendly chilled out kind of town, famous for its surf, with the nearest surf beach being five minutes away. I found a really great hostel in Raglan, i rocked up at 6pm, asked what time it got dark, they said 9.30pm, also saying i could take the hostel car and go with surf board and wetsuit to the beach for a few hours. Game On! Just what i wanted. Along with a couple of others at the hostel i took the car and surfed a few hours that evening, watching the sunset in colours of red, violet, blue and orange. Caught some great waves and just soaked up the big nature. I stayed at Raglan for three days before returning to Auckland for the families Christmas day and Boxing Day festivities. I felt so welcome and at home and i am truly thankful to Brian and Delia for my days with them, very relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you.




South Island, Queenstown





From Auckland in the North island where i spent a week (far too short) i visited the south island for two weeks, flying into the majestic lakes and mountains of Queenstown. Queenstown, perched on a huge lake with mountains all around is a lively fun town with many outdoor adventure activities. I rented a mountain bike a went cycling in the nearby forests. Hardcore tracks to say the least. The forest in Brussels is a walk in the park compared to the steep hills me and a mate had to deal with. Also went river surfing which is basically body boarding down a river with rapids. I have to say i still prefer white water rafting the original way, but it was fun. Ashamed to admit it but i didn't have the nerve to do a bungy jumpy, its just not my thing and i never managed to arrange a sky dive. That being said if i had to choose, it would be sky dive, although i am not mad on either. Give me a wave any day.


Below some pics of the New Zealand landscape of the South island.











Milford Sound Fjord
Once settled in i managed a visit to the famous Milford Sound Fjord. After taking the bus there i boarded a boat and sailed down the fjord with its 1000m high rock faces and waterfalls on either side. The water being an emerald green, the rock faces a dark gun metal grey black. To be honest i find it hard to describe this astonishing beauty, i hope the photos help to set the scene.




The fjords did remind me of the fjords i saw in Norway many years ago. Just magical.




I came back to Queenstown for New Year, had a blast with the fellow travellers in my hostel then headed up the north west coast to visit the glaciers.

Franz Jozef Glacier
Franz Jozef is one of only three glaciers in the world (one other Fox Glacier, is 20mins down road and one in Patagonia) that actually reach temperate climbs of 300m above sea level. This was a special experience and i know i am very fortunate to walk on a glacier.

We were given all the equipment and boots and crampons to wear. We walked almost 1km up the glacier, it went on for another 13km! I saw a blue crystal like colour in the ice and its walls. I saw water gushing like waterfalls within the glacier. The guide told us that in fact the glacier was not shrinking as we all thought might be happening with regards to global warming but in fact was in a healthy condition.





Arthur's Pass
From Franz Jozef i took the scenic train from West to East across the south island stopping at Arthur's Pass, one of the many big walking areas in New Zealand. The next day the weather wasn't great but i told the local tourist board where i was going so they were aware. I walked for about 2-3hrs uphill to get to the top of Arthur's Pass mountain. I reached the snow level and had a cold windy picnic at the top. No one around at all. Again pics don't do it justice but hey, its better than nada. I don't think one could do this kind of walk in winter. the top was very precarious, loose rocks and gail force winds.



Finally after having spent only three weeks in New Zealand, just enough to get a flavour, i found the country and its nature huge, awesome and breathtaking. With quality of roads that they have everywhere all nature was made easily accessible. The Kiwi's are just fun loving friendly people, many a time i hitchhiked here and enjoyed the conversations we had.



Anyway from here i flew to Sydney before going on to Asia and i met my parents for 4-5days in Sydney. I was so happy. Remember that i haven't been away from home like this ever before, to not see my family for 6months was a long time. We had a wonderful few days together in beautiful Sydney. Visited some of the sights, walked through the botanical gardens and stayed at a very plush huge penthouse apartment. Pure luxury. I loved it and the time i spent with them. Thanks Mum and dad for coming out that way, holidaying in New Zealand making it possible for us to spend some time together. It was great. Thank you both.





The view from our apartment terrace of Sydney at night.