Home » New Zealand » Asia Tour 1999-2000: New Zaeland

Fed up with after not even two years of employment I decided to quit my job and go travelling for a few months. This travelogue is a personal account of the trip, but it also includes some general information on things to do and places to go. It was the first time I travelled on my own, but as it turned out, travelling on my own did not mean travelling alone...

Asia Tour 1999-2000: New Zaeland

Andreas Mayer
2005-12-04 12:10:56

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fellow in the Pig&Whistle who just came back from Antarctica where he had spent the last few seasons.

Next day went on a 10 hour bus trip to Christchurch, was OK as I was lying on the 5 seats on the back of the bus thinking about travels and shares. In Christchurch went to Cokers, not the best place in the world, hardly slept at all. Next day on the train to Kaikura met Hada (Israeli girl from Queen Charlotte Track) and we had a chat. Checked in to Planet Backpackers, which is a pretty cool one-room hostel. Next met Italy (Piera) while walking down the only street in town and we had a chat about the good old times at Praadiso. Went for a walk along the peninsular but not that nice as there is sheep shit everywhere and there is a real danger of steeping in a sleeping seal.

25/2/00

There was quiet a good group we at the hotel, Dutch and Finnish girl, Swedish guy and Berlin girl + Swiss guy and we talked a lot about travelling and work. Swedish guy was very similar to Anders, 33 years old, worked for Ericson for 8 years, 2.5 of those in Beijing (now hates the Chinese), currently he is a IT consultant in Stockholm. He was cycling and highly recommended it as a mode of transport while travelling. Also met a nice English girl who gave me her email and said to meet up for a drink in London.

Next day could not get on the official Dolphin swimming trip, but a friend of the guy who ran our hostel said he would take us out for $40. So we rented wetsuits and snorkeling gear and set off on this 300HP fishing boat. Spotted lots and lots of dolphins and swam with them but a little disappointed as the visibility was poor and the dolphins tend to get bored easily and just piss off. Next went swimming with the seals, which was better as they tend to just ignore humans rather than swim away.

Met Heike once we were back in town and went for ...