Through the West Coast

On Tuesday 25th of November I continued my cycling from Greymouth which is the starting point for the West Coast. The distance from Greymouth to Queenstown was around 600km, including a couple of MTB-detours.
All the books and people were saying that West Coast is known for being very rainy region - in some places it rains over 6 meters per year! The past few days before Greymouth had been very beautiful and sunny, and as I started to cycle from Greymouth, it started pouring rain. Of course.

West Coast Wilderness Trail was my first detour, which went through couple of small towns and beautiful landscapes. It is difficult to describe how the views were, but at least I tried to capture them on several pictures. Just before a town called Ross I had major problems with my route. After riding 12km on a difficult road, it ended to a bridge without floor. I saw the town on the other side of the wide river, but I couldn't cross the river even though I tried it hard from several places. In the end I ended up crossing the dangerous bridge, and hoped that I wouldn't fall. On the other side of the shore I noticed that my bicycle computer had lost, so I went back searchin for it. After an intensive search in the bushes and in the mud I found the computer. What an adventure!

Just before arriving to Franz Josef glacier town, I suffered my first flat tyre. The next morning I noticed that also the front tyre had gone flat. What is this s***t? The problems continued, it turned out, that in the rear tube was a manufacturing problem, so the tube kept on cracking from inside. After repairing and inflating the tyre for several times, I ran out of trying, so I hithchiked from Haast Pass to Wanaka, to get new inner tubes. Did you know that on NZ West Coast you can travel from Hokitika to Wanaka (420km) without finding spare tubes? -Well I know now.

All in all, West Coast was an awesome experience, even though it was raining almos every day. I cycled typically 60-90km per day, which wasn't bad at all.
During the trip I made several new friends, which I have seen later on in different towns.

Cycling from Greymouth to Haast Pass, and then a car ride from Haast Pass to Wanaka

One of the several easy rive crossings in West Coast Wilderness Trail

A view from Cowboy Paradise

It is pouring rain outside!

Where is the track disappearing?

Only a fool would cross this bridge...

2 hours later, after trying to find a detour without success

Franz Josef Glacier

Flat tyre - again

Thanks for these guys for giving me a ride from Haast Pass to Wanaka

Nelson Lakes

From Nelson I jumped into Carina's car and we headed south to a little city called St. Arnaud. Lake Rotoiti lies in 90km south from Nelson. The lake is surrounded by mountains, so Carina and I went to see how the life looks from Mt. Robert which is on the western side of Lake Rotoiti. A steep path up took 1,5 hours and opened astonishing views at the altitude of over 1500 meters. Going up was easy and nice, but the way down started hurt my toes, like I guessed.

After Nelson lakes we head to Greymouth with Carina and from there I continue cycling down the Westcoast. The distance from Greymouth to Queenstown is around 600 km, and should take from me about 10 days. Let's see how it goes - I've read that West Coast should be called Wet Coast because its raining a lot.

Camping in Kerry Bay, St. Arnaud

View from Kerry Bay. On the right: Mt. Robert

Climbing up, Mt. Robert

On the top of Mt. Robert

A view to south

A week in Marlborough and Nelson regions

The South Island bicycle tour started from Picton where I arrived on Thursday 13th November. The three first days I spent in Queen Charlotte Track, which was a challenging mountain bike track in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. The route was: Picton-Anakiwa-Resolution Bay, and from Resolution Bay I took a weter taxi back to Picton

Sunday and Monday were dedicated for wines by visiting a couple of wineries in Blenheim which is the capital for NZ Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines. After tasty moments in Blenheim I took heading towards Nelson, where we were planned to meet up with exchange friends. The route I selected wasn't the easiest - Maungatapu Track climbed up to 750 meters and gave a good ride after reaching the saddle!

From Nelson we went to Abel Tasman national park, and hired kayak for three days. The views were astonishing and we saw some wildlife, like seals. After the intensive kayaking was done, it was time to head to the northernmost point of South Island, Cape Farewell, where the weather was quite windy, actually so windy that the roof of our campsites' bathroom flew away!

Feeling good in Queen Charlotte Track!

Tasting a wide range of Cloudy Bay's great products

Visiting Clos Henri winery

Johann Graas, the Cellar Master, gave me a great tour in Clos Henri's production facilities

Pelorus River

Maungatapu track: a steep "shortcut" from Pelorus Bridge to Nelson

Kayakin in Abel Tasman National Park for 3 days

A meetup with exchange friends!

Sunrise in Abel Tasman's Tonga Quarry Bech 6am

Anchorage Bay

Saturday morning in Collingwood Campsite. Wind was blowing >30m/s and the roof had to surrender

Cape Farewell, the northernmost point on South Island

The journey begins

I had my last exam on Tuesday 11th, and I took a bus to Wellington the same night.
Today I'm taking a ferry from Wellington to Picton, and the 2-month-journey begins.

First I'm visiting Queen Charlotte Track, then a couple of wineries in Blenheim, and after that I'm heading to Nelson, where the Abel Tasman national park is located. Some kayaking and hiking there!

Vague sketch of my planned route

Queen Charlotte Track will be the first place to try mountain biking with the trailer

 Trek X-Caliber 29" and a BOB Ibex bicycle trailer - that's all I need

Miscellaneous from Auckland

During the past few weeks I've done plenty of miscellaneous things around Auckland. Wine Tasting, Birthday Party, Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, Sky Tower, Halloween, Music, etc.

The school is almost over: my last (and only!) exam is on Tuesday 11th Nov, and then I'll start my trip to the South Island. Actually I will have precisely 2 months of time to travel before my flight leaves back to Finland. I'm totally amazed how quickly the time has passed. WOW.

  

Tasting the new Salon 2002 Blancs de Blancs

Celebrating Pierre's birthday at WSA Student Apartments. In the picture Elena and Henje from Norway and Finland

Auckland Art Gallery coffee shop

Visiting Auckland Maritime Museum with JC

Going for a dinner to the Sky Tower the day before exam period starts

On our way up in a KONE elevator!

AUT University City Campus in the middle

Biking in Western Auckland

I think this is the car we had about 20 years ago when we drove to France from Finland. Historic!

Typical Auckland: a foggy and a rainy day. Can you spot the Sky Tower from the middle? 

It's Halloween!

Halloween party in Golden Dawn. It was amazing!

Haa! It's 1st of November - like a local Wappu ;)
We are enjoying take away food in Albert Park

A great gig in Golden Dawn by Richter City Rebels

Paintball with Henje, JC, Nicoline and Raphael, and it cost only $10!