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We left Kerikeri for
a road trip. Sky was crying for us and I was driving in light rain. We stuffed
all of our junk into Serena van. When I tried to start the engine the battery
wasn’t working. Well, nice beginning of a trip. Tony helped us out and we left
with a smile on our faces.
The very first minute when we came to the highway, police
stopped me. I was driving too fast. Well, he was a nice guy and he realized how
sincere, stupid and humble we are and let us slide without a fine. Their speed
limit is only 100 km/h. But, my heavy foot
could be expensive. We found petrol station with the last fumes of
petrol so we knew the adventure is on.
First night we slept in Raglan. Surfing paradise. We parked
in front of surfing club and in the morning we got fine for sleeping there.
Well, unbelievably it was still cheaper than paying for the camp.
I tried surfing for the first time. It was quite difficult
because my surf was a bit of a gun not suitable for beginners. But it was lots
of fun. And watching all those who really know how to do it is also exciting.
Another few nights we slept in DOC camps. They are great.
One, we found deep in the forest, another one in paradise beach north east of
Wellington. I tried to contact a friend that is leaving in Wellington but
unfortunally we missed.
Well, I hurried to be on south island as soon as possible.
As I thought I will pick up a glider and go flying. In Nelson I couldn’t t get
the glider Teddy promised me. Because Glenn, he is suppose to have it said I
cannot fly it until Teddy comes and checks it out. Well the weather wasn‘t the
best and I wanted to see some flying spot. We headed to Queenstown and had a
stop in Wanaka. This little town blew me away. It is so nice, colors of the
lake are amazing, restaurant with homemade beer and beautiful mountains around.
We went paddling Wanaka Lake.
Didn’t like their safety talk and the
idea you can’t leave their visual horizons. They also equipped us with an
emergency mobile phone... We went
paddling and had competition of our own since that lady claimed we can’t manage
the distance to Ruby Island in less than 20 minute. Proving her wrong, we did it in 15 minutes.
For dinner I prepared asparagus in creamed sauce with pasta. Very budged but
also very good.
Because we were only
few hours away from Queenstown we drove there. After Wanaka my expectations
were huge and I have to say I was little disappointed. Totally touristic place,
it is beautiful, but the town impulse didn’t work for me. We found a nice DOC
camp near the lake and fed bloodsucking sandflies and mosquitoes. Another day I
went to Flying Park where Lisa tried very hard to arrange a glider for me.
Again without luck. This night we were sleeping almost on the launch at Lisa’s
and Johns place. Had a great time with some nice paragliding and hang gliding
pilots. Hopefully I will get the Mars
glider tomorrow.
First thing when I woke up, I texted Ian not
to forget my glider. When I came to launch I realized again I am without luck.
John and Lisa found a nice solution and called some pilots in Dunedin. They welcomed me with open hands and had a
glider for me. That is great, but to Dunedin is more than 3 hours drive and it
was already noon. We rushed to great little town, with the most delicious salmon burger, near landing called Arrowtown so that Jost
left his CV in one of their restaurants.
And from there straight to Dunedin. Where we found the best club in New Zeland as they
like to say. And they must be, because they remind me on my club. Funny, likes
to have fun, loves flying and great sense of humor. I think my flying luck is
getting better and better. Now let’s pray for the weather or even I will start
to think that I am the witch that brings rain everywhere she comes...
