Final stretch home

From Mt. Taranaki I drove east to visit a previous woof family near the coast>> my time with them consisted of a great deal of play with the kids: American football practice against the dogs, pool rugby, water park, chess, secret languages, cape kidnappers (beautiful coast run to observe the massive gannet (bird) colony, history museum, watching the Australian open, farmville, sold car, more wood splitting. From their place I got a ride to Palmerston North for the night crazy, fun dancing that night. The following day I hitched a ride to the Tongoriro crossing again. Again, rained out and gale force winds. I hitch hike with my backpack a day pack and golf clubs. Brian let me keep the clubs; I will drop them in Auckland for him to pick up at a later date. I guess it is not typical that hitch hikers are seen traveling with golf clubs, but then again, I wouldn't classify myself as a typical hitchhiker. If I get another 18 holes or so with of the clubs, i will consider it worth it. With exactly 7 days until departure home, my excitement builds.

Kiwi sayings:

"Good on ya mate" - "well done"
"She's pretty tidy, eh" - "she is quite attractive isn't she"
"Sweet as, mate" - "good deal buddy"
"choice, eh?" - "pretty cool isn't it"


togs - swimsuit
jandles - flip flops
nappies - dipers
wheelie bin - dumpster
tea - dinner
jersey,jumper - jacket/ pullover

New Plymouth>> Mt. Taranaki

I made it to the top of Mt. Taranaki though I was in a cloud at the top and without a view. No worries. The view is not the reason for climbing these mountains. Taranaki was my main focus for coming to New Plymouth so I hit the road today. I set my sights on Mt. Tongariro now. This is the sight in which Mt. Doom from Lord of the Rings was shot. It should be a great adventure.

While in New Plymouth I stayed at a beautiful beachside holiday park in my tent. So much more to report but I must hit the road.

Pictures

Marth is gone and I now head back to the north island

I spent 2 nights in wellington befor heading to New Plymoth
I am hoping to climb Mt. Taranaki which is an active volcano. However, I was turned away from the summit earlier today due to gale force winds. I will try again tomorrow. Taranaki is a 2518 meter climb and I only made it to around 1500meters before turning back. I greatly enjoyed my hike and couldnt help but feeling like a hobbit on a daring quest.

I have quite enjoyed New Plymouth. Last night I randomly came upon a model airplane show, live music, and a rock sculpting competition. Good times.

road pics

The Largest Holiday Park in the Southern Hemisphere

The animal theme continues in our trip. We found dozens of caged birds at our Holiday Park in Westport which is just north of Greymouth. After a song filled night, we hit the road east all the way across the country to the biggest Holiday Park in the southern hemisphere! It sleeps
3000 at full capacity. We walked on the beach, enjoyed a delicious Mexican fiesta, and watched a vivid sunset with hues of blue, yellow, and orange. We got back in the little white buggy and went for some sailing with Mike among the Queen Charlotte Sounds . We all jumped in the bitterly cold waters. We now head south along the east coast and plan on whale watching tomorrow. We are warn out after a fun filled sunny day at sail.

Avalanche Peak Rain Check

After our stay in Fox Glavier, we hit the road north. We missed our planned destination due to the fact that there was nothing there. So we left the township of Haast with population 62 and are now staying farther north in an animal themed old monistary style backpackers. Lets just say-monkey room last night and elephant room tonight...get excited! We were turned away from Avalanche peak which would have been an 1100 meter vertical climb due to 120km/hr wind gusts. We made the best of it and hit some lower elevation waterfall trails that were completely flooded. We even made up a new word: crail. A trail that is pretty much a creek. We will be having spaghetti for lunch and dinner (and in Smith's case breakfast as well) because we have a HUGE vat of it. As for the rest of our rainey day, we are warm and cozy, clean and showered, and watching "Flight of the Concords", only the best of New Zealands TV.