Since squatting in Kaikoura. I hitched to Kekerengu. Hitched to Blenheim. Bought a 1985 Nissan Bluebird for $380. Drove to Picton. Caught the Inter-Islander to Wellington. Stayed there for 2 nights. Watched Avatar. Saw The Books/Camera Obscura @ San Francisco Bath House in Cuba St. Drove to Palmerston North, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Kawhia, Raglan, Hamilton and had a car crash in Cambridge. Scrapped the car in Hamilton. Stayed in Hamilton for 2 nights. Watched a 20/20 cricket game between the Northern Knights and the Central Stags. Central Stags won. Got a bus to Auckland. Got lost in Auckland. Went to a comedy Show in Auckland. Heading to Paihia today.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Squatting in Kaikoura
Since Christchurch we hitchhiked to Cheviot, funnily enough we all got picked up by the same person. In Cheviot some guy invited to camp on his lawn for a night and chill round his, another great example of Kiwi hospitality. The next day we hitch-hiked seperately to Kaikoura. A woman in a winnebago picked me up, she was so nice and let me have a go in her kayak and also took me to a seal colony. In Kaikoura I went Whale Watching on my own which was an epic experience seeing 2 sperm whales, dolphins, penguins and albatross. Later meeting up with the guys we camped in the town for one night. We planned to leave Kaikoura the next day but in town we met Tom from Nelson who took us to his mate Brendans where we stayed for the day and camped nearby on some grass. The house is Jenni and Bianca- 2 girls from Miami with Brendan from Plymouth. They live on a terrace of one storey houses and the end few houses are empty as the housing is all up for sale. One of the doors was open so we've been staying in there for free using electricity and hot showers, kind of sketchy but we're gettting by.
Oh yeah.... and I got my head shaved... hahaha
Last night we had Pizza and Ice Cream night! Just a little party for the sake of having fun. Everybody was round, Andy from Nelson was over among others.
Oh yeah.... and I got my head shaved... hahaha
Monday, 4 January 2010
5,229 km covered, now backpacking time!
After our lovely time with the Tanners, 2010 was now looming. In the day we chilled about Nelson seeing what was happening when in the Woolworths car park some dude we met on Xmas saw us and told us to meet up with him up the skatepark. We spent the evening at Rabbit Island to have a New Years BBQ and take use of the outdoor shower and freshen up for the evening. We then met up with Andy, Olly and Tom at the Nelson skatepark where we parked up then rocked up to the City. There was a countdown thing with gymnasts and bands but we just kind of bowled about different bars and got very drunk talking to other drunk people. A good New Years!
My first 2010 morning was waking up hot, sweaty and hungover in a van parked in the suburbs. Feeling quite rough we drove to the beach and I went for a little swim in the sea which made me feel very fresh. We then returned to the skatepark to chill with Andy, Olly and Tom. We didn't actually do anything the whole day, Tom and Olly left and Andy went busking. When Andy came back we went for a skate then chilled outside the van with some red wine.
The next morning we popped to a greengrocers to become a member of WWOOF NZ (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) where you get the opportunity to live and learn on organic farms. Seeing that we give back the van on the 5th of January that'll be some good experience and you work for free food and accomodation. I'll be trying that soon. We also bought cheap tents as we'll no longer be able to sleep in the van. As we had to be in Christchurch to return the van in 3 days we left Nelson heading east towards Blenheim. Blenheim seemed a nice town and the sun was shining but we decided to pass through it and continue driving. The driving through these roads was some of the best, through beautiful vineyards and golden mountains (the grass is dried out by the sun). We ended up on the beach at Kekerengu and stayed there for the night.
Heading south the next day we ended up in Kaikoura which is well known because of the whales close to the shore around here. Inquiring about whale watching there was a waiting list so I'll have to do that back on the way up north. Typically we went in a supermarket where saw our first celebrity, well Kiwi celebrity. We saw Loren Horsley from the film 'Eagle Vs. Shark' which features Flight of the Conchords Jemaine Clement. This was pretty cool.
From Kaikoura we headed to Akaroa where we stayed on the most sublime place ever. We were parked on a mound named Devils gap which over looked a peninsula mountains and the whole Pacific. The next day was to be our last whole day with the camper van. We entered Akaroa where everything was written in French with French flags. We found out this was an old French colony but we didn't stay too long as me and Ian got killed by Hayfever here. We left for Christchurch to start packing our bags and tidy the van. As it was our last night we decided to go out for a meal. We ended up in the American chain 'Denny's Diner' which was pretty good for some cheap priced meals. Then as we were cheap asses we went to Pak'N Save where we bought a huge tub of vanilla ice cream with a pack of oreos and mixed it up together! Way bigger and cheaper than what they were selling hahaha. Our last night was spent in a car park just out of the city, it was sad to think this would be our last sleep after 35 days with the van.
Waking up the next morning we sorted our stuff and went to clean the van, as we didn't want to get fined we paid a modest price to get the van cleaned in and out. Just as we were returning we saw a drive-thru Subway (restaurant)! We thought this is the best way to say goodbye as I've never seen a drive thru Subway, it's was a bit of hassle with the talking box but totally worth it. Dropping it off we were apparently a day late which sucks, so had to pay a bit extra. We returned the van having driven 5,299 km which was rad. So now we have just been chilling around Christchurch staying in the Base hostel. Tomorrow we head north with all intentions for the North Island, in particular Wellington!
It's been 40 days since I left home, yet thats gone so quick!
My first 2010 morning was waking up hot, sweaty and hungover in a van parked in the suburbs. Feeling quite rough we drove to the beach and I went for a little swim in the sea which made me feel very fresh. We then returned to the skatepark to chill with Andy, Olly and Tom. We didn't actually do anything the whole day, Tom and Olly left and Andy went busking. When Andy came back we went for a skate then chilled outside the van with some red wine.
The next morning we popped to a greengrocers to become a member of WWOOF NZ (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) where you get the opportunity to live and learn on organic farms. Seeing that we give back the van on the 5th of January that'll be some good experience and you work for free food and accomodation. I'll be trying that soon. We also bought cheap tents as we'll no longer be able to sleep in the van. As we had to be in Christchurch to return the van in 3 days we left Nelson heading east towards Blenheim. Blenheim seemed a nice town and the sun was shining but we decided to pass through it and continue driving. The driving through these roads was some of the best, through beautiful vineyards and golden mountains (the grass is dried out by the sun). We ended up on the beach at Kekerengu and stayed there for the night.
Heading south the next day we ended up in Kaikoura which is well known because of the whales close to the shore around here. Inquiring about whale watching there was a waiting list so I'll have to do that back on the way up north. Typically we went in a supermarket where saw our first celebrity, well Kiwi celebrity. We saw Loren Horsley from the film 'Eagle Vs. Shark' which features Flight of the Conchords Jemaine Clement. This was pretty cool.
From Kaikoura we headed to Akaroa where we stayed on the most sublime place ever. We were parked on a mound named Devils gap which over looked a peninsula mountains and the whole Pacific. The next day was to be our last whole day with the camper van. We entered Akaroa where everything was written in French with French flags. We found out this was an old French colony but we didn't stay too long as me and Ian got killed by Hayfever here. We left for Christchurch to start packing our bags and tidy the van. As it was our last night we decided to go out for a meal. We ended up in the American chain 'Denny's Diner' which was pretty good for some cheap priced meals. Then as we were cheap asses we went to Pak'N Save where we bought a huge tub of vanilla ice cream with a pack of oreos and mixed it up together! Way bigger and cheaper than what they were selling hahaha. Our last night was spent in a car park just out of the city, it was sad to think this would be our last sleep after 35 days with the van.
Waking up the next morning we sorted our stuff and went to clean the van, as we didn't want to get fined we paid a modest price to get the van cleaned in and out. Just as we were returning we saw a drive-thru Subway (restaurant)! We thought this is the best way to say goodbye as I've never seen a drive thru Subway, it's was a bit of hassle with the talking box but totally worth it. Dropping it off we were apparently a day late which sucks, so had to pay a bit extra. We returned the van having driven 5,299 km which was rad. So now we have just been chilling around Christchurch staying in the Base hostel. Tomorrow we head north with all intentions for the North Island, in particular Wellington!
It's been 40 days since I left home, yet thats gone so quick!
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