Challenge

Ever caught a Snapper in a Sound?
Ever seen the sun in the north?
Ever met a Black Cap or an All Black?
Ever surrounded by penguins?
Ever passed Gore and Clinton on the same day?
Ever seen a Shag Point indicated on a beach?

Come to New Zealand and experience it all. There is so much to see and enjoy but take a deep look in our travel hearts and all you see is Asia. New Zealand didn’t give us the breathtaking amazements we expected. This statement probably says more about us than about New Zealand. After lengthy discussions in team Intwin we have to conclude that we miss something here. But how to define ‘something’?

Maybe we are just too Asia orientated. Fascinating cultures, vibrant street life, Asia’s smells and noises in short: the attractions of societies which are totally different from home. New Zealand is probably just a bit too familiar; it could be a European country. It’s pleasant, easy to travel, neat, organised and for that reason not surprising or challenging.

So was our time in New Zealand a bit disappointing? No, not at all. The long lost aunties, uncles and cousins have been absolutely wonderful to us. Amazing really, a hospitality that reminded us of our days in the Middle East. They opened up their houses, provided meals, looked after the car and organised a lot. What a great help! Especially the outdoor activities were fantastic. We always thought that fishing is as boring as watching paint dry. Well, it isn’t in New Zealand. Out on the turquoise waters of the Marlborough Sounds fishing is actually exciting. After a speed course “how to bait up” and ‘how not to make a bird nest of your line”, the hook goes under the water surface. Almost immediately the fish start to nibble. It’s so thrilling when the line starts to run and the rod bends. Got ya!
The Sounds in New Zealand are like the fiords in Norway. Steep massive rock faces and deep waters with a lot of fish. Surprisingly big fish, though all we caught were small Snappers. The hilarious company of the ‘Three delightful little angels’ (as these first cousins once removed labeled themselves) with a fart and ‘Connect four’ obsession, made our stay in the Marlborough Sounds an unforgettable experience. Besides that, the Snappers tasted yummie.

The same area (northern part of the South Island) also boasts of a staggering amount of vineyards. Though more travel connoisseurs than wine connoisseurs we gladly accepted the recommendation to dine out in a top winery. And top it was. From a distance, the Highfield Estate looked posh. A place for the smooth, savvy and sophisticated. So before we even entered we digged up the credit card already. We had a lunch in a superb setting, great food and wine for a very reasonable price. Unfortunately the bill was a bit higher than necessarily. After we paid, but before the waitress collected the money, the wind picked up and our notes disappeared in the vineyard.

The weather conditions turned for the better the moment we started to tramp. Tramping is Kiwi-slang for trekking, a favorite pastime for New Zealanders. Jump in the car, head for the mountains and walk for hours. New Zealand is incredible tourist friendly. Hundreds of tracks are well marked and equipped with huts and even toilets. Again under the warm wings of the family we hiked through native bush and along riverbeds. It’s slightly embarrassing to find out that your senior family members (by 20 years) are in a better shape than we are. The sixteen hours of walking (spread over two days) were a great way to catch up. And not to forget, the cheese cake at the end of a long day was more than welcome. Truly five star tramping in New Zealand!

Finally, at the very end of our Kiwi-experience we have to face a big challenge. Not really the type of challenge we were hoping for. No bureaucracy, corrupt policemen, blocked passes or unavailable visas. No, it’s the car or to put it precisely, how to sell it. During the last week small talk with fellow travelers who bought their vehicle at the Backpackers car market in Auckland didn’t make us happy. This organisation isn’t that independent as they claim to be, the people who work there are not that honest either. In other words: we were ripped off. Anyway, selling turned out to be a lot more difficult than expected. People with a flight to catch end up pretty desperate and just abandon their car at the airport. Luckily an other first cousin once removed offered to buy the car from us. Hopefully our old Ford treats her as well as it did to us.


Roads travelled:
Sanson – Lower Hutt – Wellington – Boat crossing to Picton - Marlborough Sounds – Kaikora – Hanmer Springs – Lyttelton – Christchurch – Cragieburn Forest Park – Greymouth – Punakaiki – Fox Glacier – Haast – Jackson Bay –Wanaka – Queenstown (family reunion) – Mount Cook – Christchurch – Akaroa – Dunedin – Papatowai (Catlins) – Manapouri – Milford Sound – Gore – Waimate – Rangiora – Christchurch

Plane to Hong Kong – Ferry Macau – Plane Manila Clark (Philippines)