Days 91-93 Riverton-Omarama-Christchurch-Melbourne

Last three days in New Zealand made me like the country even more.

First of all the people are unbelievably friendly and nice. Couple of examples: the ones who stop the traffic at road constructions tend to wave to vehicles passing by. The cashiers in shops and gas stations smile and practically always say a few words with the client. For me most talk much more as they realize I'm a foreigner. And people are smiling a lot! And saying hi to complete strangers. I was at "The famous Sheffield Pie Shop" one day. A truck driver walking to the shop stopped for a chat. "Nice day for a ride, ay? Where're you heading mate?" It seems everyone can be "mate" and mostly things are "no worries" or "I'm good".

And the roads! This is a biker's heaven! Good pavement, nice curves and corners, great views and 100km/h speed limit almost everywhere. They even mark the corners with signs telling how sharp the corner is. That's what I call service.

I started my Wednesday morning in Riverton near the southernmost point of New Zealand. I drove to Bluff, which is as south as you can get without swimming. Too bad it was so foggy. I didn't see a thing...

After getting down from the hill I headed east via the Coastal Route Andi told I should take. And he was absolutely right about that. The road was very nice. From the beach to hills and farmlands. A huge variety in views. After little lunch break I started to drive more to the middle of the country. Hills started to get higher and soon they turned into mountains until I reached my place for the night. A small backpacker's place in the middle of nothing. The closest shop was 17km away in a village called Omarama.

Thursday was the day I was supposed to return the bike to the rental company. I started heading north and the views were astonishing! Snow topped mountains behind a lake and beautiful rivers in the valleys. I felt I wanted to stop every couple of kilometers just to take photos and enjoy the view.

But all the enjoyment has it's end and I had give the bike away. Someone will definitely ask and here's an answer before asking: I wouldn't buy Suzuki V-Stom 650 myself (even if I had the money for new bike, which I obviously don't have). It's the kind of bike that tries to be good in everything and hence that it really good in nothing. It's too enduro to be a street bike and it's too street bike to be enduro or even real adventure bike. It's too small for riding standing on the pegs and 19" front wheel is too small for gravel. Of course the street tires can't handle any off-road either. And it lacks the spirit a bike should have. The feeling that certain bikes just have... It was good for occasional fun but going around the world with it - never...

Well. Finally I got to the hostel in Christchurch. I felt extremely tired so I fell asleep quite early. Friday morning I booked a flight away from Sydney in January 24th and planned my stay in Australia.

A massive earthquake hit Christchurch about 15 years ago and the renovation is still on it's way. Building boom is huge. There seems to be more people with helmets than without. Construction zones everywhere. And some of the buildings still have supports to prevent them from collapsing. Christchurch Cathedral is the worst. People say it'll take about 10 years to repair it.

Evening flight to Melbourne was ok. My first flight with Virgin Air. At the gate they upgraded me to emergency exit seat - again. Cannot complain about that!