New Zealand

New Zealand is probably one of my favorite places to Road Trip, unfortunately i can't speak on the whole country, but I'm pretty confident to say that i have covered as much of the South Island as any non-native traveler has. Unfortunately this great country comes with its major downfall and it has plagued me since the first time I arrived 10 years ago.... RAIN. this trip was no exception as Jill and I got hosed for 9 of her 10 days in the country, and I finished up the last 8 days being blanketed with rain and mist, but as all good trips end, my dive to the airport was nothing but blue sky's and rainbows, none the less being in NZ is always a great time no matter what the Weather.

This Years Road Trip in the South Island: Renting a van "the Spaceship" in Christchurch, jill and I took off charging towards Aurthur's Pass and headed straight for the west cost. Approaching the mountains the sun was outstanding with colors of red and pink, the southern alps were lit up in all their splendor.... 20min. later the rain slowly began to come.

We held up the night in Jackson, a very very small Town/B&B eating or first Kiwi Pie and I sampled Whitebait for the first time which is little mini transparent fish cooked in an omelet served on white bread. I hoped the rain would hold up knowing the landscapes we were about to be driving through but as we pushed on it kept getting harder.

Up to Pancake rocks, and then back down the west coast, the most lush green, rugged, raw landscapes i have encountered, it truly is a favorite place of mine. Living there is completely out of the question due to the lack of population but the drive through farm land, coastal towns, lush deciduous rain forests, and ending up at 2 massive glaciers is really a fantastic drive. being blessed with morning sun jill and i hit up a lake hike but were forced back to the car as the clouds pulled in and mt. cook was covered in white.

Wanaka was next on the list, another spot that i can almost call home, it was great to have jill with me to show her around, hitting up the Doughbin, a favorite pie shop (who recently "sold out and went commercial" which angers me), the oh so accommodating 60 Warren st., along with holding up for 2 nights with Si Meale, Bridgy, and Tal. Familiarity after being away from home for so long was a real nice thing to have.

The rains kept coming and jill and i kept driving, down to Milford sound which was blocked by an avalanche, out to the fiordlands where we got soaked in rain, down to bluff where we found some very rugged seas, back to Queenstown for some brief sun shine allowing jill to get in Bungy Jumping and Sky Diving packed into probably the most exhilarating 3 hours of her life (or many peoples for that matter). From Qtown, up to Mt. Cook for some glacier viewing, Lake Tekapo, and on to Moraki. The last stop for jill was Dunedin where we got a stay with some great friends and relax on her last night in New Zealand.

For me, it was one more Ruckus night with Andrew, Emma, and the crew, a easy going Sunday with Sue and Pete, and a solo drive to Jimmy's Pies in Roxbrough where i managed to stuff 3 (meat) pies down my throat in a glutinous act that still disgusts me. Camping at Lake Tekapo for one more night and up to christchurch where i got the pleasure of staying with Emma a great friend and a passionate traveler.

A flight to Auckland and a week with Gary and 2 solid days with Sam P. Jones, where way too much beer was consumed, there was a fair bit of Canadian Club which found it's way into my cup, that was fllowed by lighting quick leg kicks, spins, hip shakes, and air splits all of which were performed at bars which did not even posses a dance floor. Spending time with good friends was fantastic, it was a sad good bye to New Zealand and everyone i visited.