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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for drinks that night, but very tired and went to bed early.
Currently sitting on the train to Picton from where I will get the ferry to Wellington. Main thoughts were about Alison I guess, especially because I think she would have loved the dolphin swimming.

16/3/00

Last days in NZ were good. After Kaikura went up to Picton and straight on the ferry to Wellington. Had major problems finding a room there, apparently it has been booked out for ages because of some rugby match, but in the end found a place that had some people not turning up. Did not really talk to anyone, just read Paul Theroux’s “Happy Islands of Oceania”, I like his idea of paddling around islands but find him too critical and pessimistic about his observations.

Next day went up to Turangi to start the famous Tongarero crossing the following day. Spent the day just chilling out and chatting to a chap from Otley who had just been to Australia for a few months and rates it highly. Also told me to drop in on Adam who works at the White Heart in pool, small world.

Started the crossing the next day in cloudy weather but as soon as we started climbing the Roratonga (?) volcano the clouds cleared and we had the best weather possible for the rest of the day. Climbing up the volcano was tough as you go up a step and then slide back ¾ a step, but we made it in the end and going down is real fun as 1 step carries you 20 yards. Passed by the Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake and made it to the car park after about 8 hours walking.

Spent the night at the hostel, just having some beers and watching TV (first time since Thailand I think). Next day got the bus to Auckland, meeting Heike in the bus as planned. She got picked up by her friend and they dropped me off at a hostel right in between two strip joints. Was going to meet up with Koby that night, but I did not ...