Days 87-90 Arthur's Pass-Christchurch-Oamaru-Wanaka-Riverton
Ups... It seems I'm falling behind in my blog. I have to write more often. But when I'm meeting such interesting people in the evenings I have no time to write.
Waking up to a frisk morning in Arthur's Pass was great. I had slept like a little baby all the night. I didn't even hear any other entering the dorm during the night. It was cold, only 8 degrees but taking a little walk made me feel great. By the time I got my gear packed and I was ready to leave it had already gone up to almost 15 degrees.
On that day (Saturday) I only had about 160 km to go. I stopped to have lunch at Sheffield Famous Pie Shop. And man... That pie was good! A pie filled with beef and sauce is nearly impossible to beat...
I had found a motorcycle museum in Christchurch. Jack Pero Motorcycle Gallery is focused on Japanese bikes from 70's, 80's and 90's. There were a few really interesting bikes. Like these Honda Monkey Special Edition, CB 1000 R and Honda Motocombo.
I had a nice chat with two older gentlemen running the place. And I also got a hint for next day's Classic Motorcycle Race in Tiamaru.
The rest of Saturday I spent at Marko's place. He is a fellow Finn who has been living in New Zealand already for some time. We had such a great time.
On Sunday I took the Inland Scenery Route towards south. The scenes were pretty but not nearly as pretty as the ones near Arthur's Pass. Riding was easy and it was hot. For some reason I had a brilliant idea to ride without gloves. How stupid can a man be? Of course the wind cools down the skin so much that burning sun doesn't feel hot at all. But I got to the motorcycle track as I planned.
It was way too hot to stay long at the Motorcycle Race. I only watched one round at got on to Oamaru where I had a booking in a hostel. And besides, I wanted to see the Victorian District Colin recommended. It was definitely worth seeing.
In the evening I had an interesting conversation in the hostel lounge with Fran who works as a tutor in Salvation Army. These kinds of encounterings are among the greatest things of my whole trip. With these kinds of discussions one can learn so much about other cultures and countries.
Monday morning started warm and bright. I walked to the shore to take some photos. Then I hit the road towards Wanaka, a town quite in the center of southern inland. On the way I met a group of travelers from Portugal, Spain and Brazil. They were on their way northbound as I was heading more south.
In the evening I arrived to my next tent-space place. I had a privilege to be hosted by Two Moto Kiwis I.e. Andi and his lovely wife Ellen. We ate freshly shot rabbit for dinner and talked about traveling (surprise) and motorcycles (even bigger surprise). They are planning a trip to Scandinavia and Russia next year. I'm sure we'll meet again!
It seemed Tuesday wasn't going to be as hot as the previous few days when I left from Wanaka having Invergargil as my destination. Or actually I had booked a bed in a hostel at Riverton about 30 km east of the southernmost town New Zealand. I got there quite early in the afternoon which ment I had perfect time to catch up with the blog.
Waking up to a frisk morning in Arthur's Pass was great. I had slept like a little baby all the night. I didn't even hear any other entering the dorm during the night. It was cold, only 8 degrees but taking a little walk made me feel great. By the time I got my gear packed and I was ready to leave it had already gone up to almost 15 degrees.
On that day (Saturday) I only had about 160 km to go. I stopped to have lunch at Sheffield Famous Pie Shop. And man... That pie was good! A pie filled with beef and sauce is nearly impossible to beat...
I had found a motorcycle museum in Christchurch. Jack Pero Motorcycle Gallery is focused on Japanese bikes from 70's, 80's and 90's. There were a few really interesting bikes. Like these Honda Monkey Special Edition, CB 1000 R and Honda Motocombo.
I had a nice chat with two older gentlemen running the place. And I also got a hint for next day's Classic Motorcycle Race in Tiamaru.
The rest of Saturday I spent at Marko's place. He is a fellow Finn who has been living in New Zealand already for some time. We had such a great time.
On Sunday I took the Inland Scenery Route towards south. The scenes were pretty but not nearly as pretty as the ones near Arthur's Pass. Riding was easy and it was hot. For some reason I had a brilliant idea to ride without gloves. How stupid can a man be? Of course the wind cools down the skin so much that burning sun doesn't feel hot at all. But I got to the motorcycle track as I planned.
It was way too hot to stay long at the Motorcycle Race. I only watched one round at got on to Oamaru where I had a booking in a hostel. And besides, I wanted to see the Victorian District Colin recommended. It was definitely worth seeing.
In the evening I had an interesting conversation in the hostel lounge with Fran who works as a tutor in Salvation Army. These kinds of encounterings are among the greatest things of my whole trip. With these kinds of discussions one can learn so much about other cultures and countries.
Monday morning started warm and bright. I walked to the shore to take some photos. Then I hit the road towards Wanaka, a town quite in the center of southern inland. On the way I met a group of travelers from Portugal, Spain and Brazil. They were on their way northbound as I was heading more south.
In the evening I arrived to my next tent-space place. I had a privilege to be hosted by Two Moto Kiwis I.e. Andi and his lovely wife Ellen. We ate freshly shot rabbit for dinner and talked about traveling (surprise) and motorcycles (even bigger surprise). They are planning a trip to Scandinavia and Russia next year. I'm sure we'll meet again!
It seemed Tuesday wasn't going to be as hot as the previous few days when I left from Wanaka having Invergargil as my destination. Or actually I had booked a bed in a hostel at Riverton about 30 km east of the southernmost town New Zealand. I got there quite early in the afternoon which ment I had perfect time to catch up with the blog.
What's missing? Oh... Smaug already destroyed the Lake town...
The southern shore of New Zealand
Some really curvy roads
A perfect place for a little nap
Town of Riverton
Kommentit
Lähetä kommentti