New Zealand

November - Disember 2016
  • Vander Wonders
Pengembaraan 31hari oleh Vander Wonders Baca lagi
  • Vander Wonders

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  • The Barn

    22 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    According to Isabel this is the best site we have been to so far. She was extremely impressed by the fact that they had a herb garden which was free to pick from and use. She picked origanum and used it in our veggie prep as well as our halloumni cheese snack.

    The site had everything you could think off in the kitchen, the showers were huge and it even had a TV room with more than 200 DVDs ready for us to watch.

    We opted for a nice dinner and wine and early to bed after a hot shower.

    {Roedolf}
    Baca lagi

  • Abel Tasman Day 2

    22 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Fueled up and hiked out from Totaranui, we turned around at Waiharakeke Bay just short of the overnight hut at Awaroa. We did not want to mess around with tidal crossings.The route is part of the Abel Tasman coastal track, another of New Zealand's great walks.

    Stunning beaches, the contrasts between the sandstone golden beaches and crystal turquoise blue waters are unique compared to the rest of South Island's rocky beaches. A relative easy walk with one massive hill, if the incline killed us on a day hike I am sympathetic towards the guys doing the full shebang it will be hard after 4 days of walking. A magical day with the outstanding natural landscapes. The climate and relaxed atmosphere made it a wonderful place to have quality time in the outdoors. We stopped for a delicious NZ pear, soaked up the atmosphere with some fellow walkers and made our way back. We got creative with some interesting photography, on Goat bay.

    We were back earlier than planned, so we decided to smash a workout. I went for a 5km run to explore the surroundings, I found the overnight huts for the multiday walk & saw the rest of the campsite . Roedolf did a 25 min workout. We embraced the Doc site's cold showers after building up a sweat - not 5 star but does the job ( I am getting good with this). Back to the windy road to where the road takes us next, we are becoming experts at planning en route.

    {Issy}
    Baca lagi

  • Running the Abel Tasman track

    23 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Running part of the first day of the Abel Tasman track cause according to Isabel walking takes too much time and its now getting boring.

    We wanted to see this side to at least experience 2 days of the 4 day track without actually walking the whole track and we did not have time to kayak or water-taxi and walk part of it because we also wanted to do some wine tasting before catch the Ferry to the North island.

    I am turning into a runner, NOT! But I do enjoy it for a quick workout and its good to quickly explore. A year ago when I started running I could not understand how anyone can run 5km non stop or without at least walking a couple of times and I can happily do that now, at my own slow pace.

    The Abel Tasman is a beautiful track and I would recommend it to anyone equally as much as I would recommend the Milford track, they are completely different but breathtaking in their own ways.

    If you only have one or two days I would recommend going to the north side of Abel Tasman is really the best part, however at the south side you can catch water taxis and kayak up north if that's what you prefer.

    {Roedolf}
    Baca lagi

  • Wednesday winetrial

    23 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We drove to Nelson via the wine region of upper Moutere and the Hills from Marahau, the bottom side of Abel Tasman.

    First stop is Neudorf Vineyards. The winery is hidden in a beautiful setting. The sommelier with a very distinct fringe serves us the Sauvignon blanc, Pinot gris , Chardonnay, Pinot rose and Pinot Noir. All their wines have a distinct texture and presence. The Chardonnay is aged in stainless steel for majority of the time so there is no resemblance of oak. My favorite was the Pinot rose, it tastes like summer in a glass, very crispy and refreshing. We got our cheese and olives out of the camper and enjoyed a picnic with a glass of the pinot rose. I love the free spirit& laid back attitude of the South Island, a world class boutique winery that let bring your own picnic goodies.

    Next stop is Te Mania who shares a tasting room with Richmond Plains. Te Mania has with the largest vine rugby ball in the world, which was made when the All- Blacks defeated France in the World cup Final. I tasted the Sauvignon blanc and the blanc de noir something unique in NZ. This winery is 100% organic and biodynamic. A very informative tasting by the dutch lady that served us.

    The last stop was Waimea, a very friendly cellar door tasting. I loved the sauvignon blanc. I also tried a Turkish delight and florally white, but that was a tad to sweet. We enjoyed talking to the Kiwi lady that also recommended a camp spot called Aussi Bay for tonight, she reckoned to drive through Nelson to the scenic Havelock and Marlborough sounds. Roedolf, skipped the tasting to be the responsible driver. We hanged out there for while, R had some tax work to do, so we had coffee. He tried the cheese scone,which is everywhere in NZ, they don't seem to keen on jam and cream.

    The Pinot Noir's in this region is a bit more full bodied with strong berry and cherry flavours, which I adore.

    Tasting the delicious whites of New Zealand was on my bucket list for South Island. The experience was amazing and I particularly liked Neudorf as it was quaint and not commercialized, they only produce 1000 barrels a year.

    {Issy}
    Baca lagi

  • Aussie bay campsite

    23 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Aussie bay, recommended by a kiwi lady, at the last wine tasting was a bit of a longer drive than I anticipated after a couple of wines earlier today, but it was a very scenic drive. The scenery was much different compared to before. The drive alongside Queen Charlotte sound almost reminded me of Bermuda's coast line without any houses.

    At the campsite we were lucky to get the last parking spot with a little bit of a view. The site is a DOC site with only a long drop (with Christmas lights around the toilet roof) and a tap with water that you have to boil or filter before drinking. It works on the honesty self help check in again, at $8 per person it is not bad considering the scenery and that it is located in a national park.

    We did not have change so the best we could do is to put $20 in the envelope. So glad we did that as a DOC employee came by not long after we set up camp to check everyone had already paid. He thanked us for our honesty and insisted that we take change.

    The site was only 11km from Picton which gave us time in the morning to enjoy a nice breakfast with a view and say goodbye to the South Island before making our way to Picton.

    We enjoyed seeing the troubles our neighbours had to endure in a very primitive camper van compared to ours, actually similar to the one we booked before we got upgraded. We don't have it bad at all!
    {Roedolf}
    Baca lagi

  • Killing time in Picton

    24 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Our ferry from the South island was delayed because of the earthquake damage. We arrived pretty early in any case, as our campsite was a close drive to Picton. We explored our options from the the i-Site, after looking at the aquarium. We opted for a walk along the sound, booked our flights to New Plymouth on a bench on the trial. This after researching many options on multiple airlines. I focused with my NYC trick to book singles with two different airlines. (Jetstar and Air Nz in this case), this was cheaper than renting a car or taking a longggg bus trip.

    We called bluebird & the ferry was delayed for another hour. We went for lunch at Le Café with stunning harbour views, Roedolf tried whitebait (tiny little fishies) a NZ speciality, and I picked the fresh green Marlborough mussels. We walked around town and got a coconut slice and carrot cake from the award winning Picton Village Bakkerij.

    Made our way to the ferry. After queueing for a quite a while I decided to make my way to the terminal for a SECOND time to get a pamphlet of Wellington. The camper vans started driving onto the ferry as I had my back towards it, once I realized, I sprinted to make it, but the marshall told me I should rather get on the bus with the walk on ferry passengers. Obviously Roedolf was a stress ball... I had my phone so messaged him everything was fine, and I have a new boarding pass . He is (was not) impressed with me at all. I had my phone, my purse, my trainers to sprint and my remarkable brain that can make plans. My experience was that everything is in control and I was laughing.

    Clearly the opposite of Roedolf's experience. We rendez-vous on board the ferry with some comfy seats and free wifi. Not exactly the welcome I expected 😂I thought it was hilarious, him not so much.

    An eventful day in the beautiful little town of Picton. Happy I made it onto the ferry😛.

    {Issy}
    Baca lagi

  • Picton to Wellington Ferry

    24 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    The trip on the ferry ⛴ was an experience to say the least.

    It started off with a delay of 2 hours then a 30 plus minute wait to drive on the ferry after check in. Just before we started boarding Isabel decided it would be a good idea to leave the van and disappear. The marshals told me to drive on or stay and that Isabel had to make her own way on to the Ferry by buying a new boarding pass if she does not have hers. Both our boarding passes was on the dashboard so I knew she did not have one, also we already packed backpacks to carry on to the ferry and hers was in the car with presumably her wallet and ID. To make matters worst I only have Isabel's whatsapp number which only helps if shes on wifi (cause she already used all her pay as you go data), note to self when ever we buy pay as you go sim cards save each others numbers before you do anything else.
    Long story short I drove onto this massive ferry and parked as close to other campers and lorries as anyone would feel comfortable with. Not knowing what she will do. When I finished parking the van I got whatsapp's from her saying she's fine and she will meet me onboard.
    She thinks its a big joke but for a good 10 minutes I was really worried and she does not seem to know why. Anyway moving on swiftly...

    The ferry boasts with free wifi onboard, and I thought this would be a great time to do some last minute tax filings for clients to kill the 5 hours we had on the ferry. The only thing I could say was the wifi was free alright, but all it really got you was wifi bars on your device but zero connection to anything. In the limited occasions that it did connect, it took ages to load and then would not save anything on the SARS e-file website. I basically completed a tax return twice from scratch and gave up after that, very frustrated as I know I only had tomorrow, to find a wifi spot to submit this return before the filing deadline.

    I never want to have the ferry ride again!

    So don't be mislead travel aren't always sunshine and amazing experiences, sometimes it's extremely frustrating as you just don't have complete control of things you would like to be able to control.

    {Roedolf}
    Baca lagi

  • Wellington @night

    24 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    As we approached the North Island, Wellington with its high-rise buildings and busy port immediately strike as the complete contrast of Picton in the South, you can sense the hustle and bustle. When we got off the ferry around 8pm we made our to Cuba street, to find a dinner spot as Wellington is considered to be a foodies delight with more than 750 eateries to pick from. We walked up and down, looked at the menus, and I reviewed the ambiance with criticism. I picked Cin Cin, a buzzy Italian spot. You will see why... I would love to own a place like this. I still consider my 2 and bit years as a waitress as my most fulfilling job. I love people and being around them.

    Ps. I was slightly underdressed, I pretty much looked like I just ran- but who cares I am embracing the lifestyle of tramping, where Vogue outfits is not first on my priority list. (I still had my sumptuous extreme mascara it will be hard to leave Esteé)

    "Make today so awsum that yesterday gets jealous"

    {Issy}
    Baca lagi

  • Motorhome Park

    24 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Nothing fancy about this site. It was about an hours drive from Wellington which is not to bad and its free.

    Public toilet across the road which came in handy and free wifi from the public library next door, a big plus as I still had to submit a last tax return after the ferry wifi debacle.

    Second night without a shower, not sure why but it feels like we are the weirdos who want to at least shower every second day while others goes 4/5 days without. Who knows if we will get a shower tonight as most of the campsites where we are heading are free, but at least tomorrow we have already booked a full facility campsite in Rotorua before and after the half marathon.

    {Roedolf}
    Baca lagi

  • Road to Napier

    25 November 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Over 3 hours drive from our last campsite to Napier where we plan to stay the night. The weather was miserable and not much to see and do on the road, so we stopped for a long awaited KFC lunch.

    At least KFC in NZ use only locally produced chickens with no added hormones or steroids, so not as toxic as in the US.

    {Roedolf}
    Baca lagi