Radioman Rides the World.......

Thanks Vic. I know for me sharing the everyday thoughts and realities for me is important in many way. Thanks for the encouraging words!

Thank You. Guess I will keep writing and riding!

Awoke to the wonderful sounds of crashing waves on the beach just outside my room. Enjoyed a cup of coffee on the deck taking in the sunrise!

Once I was packed up again, I rode out to Hokitika Gorge to take a little look. The water has amazing color from the glaciers.





Just a short walk through the forest...





As I rode through the coastal road, then it turned inland with great twisties undulating and winding through the hills toward to towns of Franz Joseph, and Fox Glacier.

25 years ago, I hitchhiked and backpacked through NZ, and I remember taking a Heli flight on the Glacier here....... So as I rode through I decided to repeat this adventure! The sun was out.... Why not!!



Here comes our ride! just outside Fox Glacier



The pilot giving us the flight plan



We load up, and then are off to see both the Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers, as well as Mt Cook the highest mountain in NZ




All geared up.



we flew right up the fox glacier



Amazing look at the glaciers



soaring up above the mountains





Note the red hut on the mountain.



Wahoooo. Standing on the Franz Joseph Glacier. What a view!



The photos do not give the scale of how big this is. But it was awesome!









Then Mt Cook. Note the "cloud" on the rock face. It was actually a large rock slide.



As we flew back down the mountains you can see the path of the glacier out to the sea.







All done. It was an awesome way to see the area!!

Just catching up Mark, dude......your killing me... NZ but in a good way.

Absolutely beautiful.

Please do. Writing introspectively is what really endears at least me to the report and makes me feel like I'm there. I know iDave asked the same question and everyone agreed that his personal thoughts were part of the story.

Have fun in NZ!

Looks like you're having a great time.

I've wondered lately if when you get home, if you'll end up with one of those BMW Sponsored Speaking Tours as a source of income? I'd pay to see you talk! (And consider myself lucky to have been able to hear some of the Adventure firsthand in my kitchen and have a short ride with you!)

Hope that you continue to enjoy your adventure!

Mark, More great photos, everytime I think you have done it all it can't get better you seem to prove me wrong. This is one time I enjoy being wrong, thanks again for sharing.

The huts are for mountain climbers. We saw several along the way up the glaciers. Would be a great place to stay the night !

Good stuff, keep it up! A dry run on the west coast is a thing to be savoured.

If you go to Mt Cook Village on the other side of the mountains in your travels ask about Mueller Hut at the info centre. The track goes straight from the village so you should be able to find somewhere that would look after the bike. Over summer there's not usually any snow on the route so it's an easy overnighter if you have the means to carry your sleeping bag, warm clothes, some food & utensils. You absolutely need good weather though.

Cheers
Clint

+1

Sam Pete

Had a great ride down the coast then turned inland as I headed for Queenstown.

More blue sky and sunshine





Last beach town on the west coast. Haast Beach



Had to go down and take a little walk on the beach



Isolated beach... no people around at this time. Peaceful!



Then up along the river and heading to the mountain pass.





Along lake Wanaka



Through Wanaka the town, and down through the Crown Range and a steep grade down into Queenstown



Nice warm day....



Arrived queenstown and found my friends Dick and Diana who are generously taking care of me at I travel NZ .... It is wonderful as I meet up with them in different places in NZ

A view from their deck! The Remarkables in all their glory!



So wonderful to connect with Dick and Diana again. Here is a photo Dick took of Diana and me in Karamea!! All smiles to see each other again



We went to lunch at one of their favorite wineries. Wonderful food and conversations!





Then a stop to watch the Bungy Jumpers....





Looking down from the bridge!



Funny little bar....



Yesterday evening I met up with Arnout who was one of my shipmates when I went to Antarctica! He is from the netherlands and is still traveling as well. Are schedules aligned so we were able to have dinner together!



Nice dinner of Blue Cod grilled. We ate at Fishbone in downtown Queenstown.





Then stopped for a terrible game of pool..... It was great to see Arnout again and share some travel stories!

Yo Mark since I am a little late to the party I am only at the point in your story where you are doing the Trans Lab and wondering about the surface. Do they do things similar to what they do in Alaska? Meaning mixing calcium chloride in with the dirt and gravel to make a good hard surface that makes a MESS of your bike. It's been almost a year and my bike still has that stuff in places. I don't remember the gravel/dirt roads in western Canada being as messy as those in Alaska but it's only because the bike was already so grubby. Just wonderin', thanks and continue to enjoy your journey!

so did you bungy jump ????? rj

I can picture the "Radioman Jump" on the end of a rubber band

I can also hear the photographer saying "Oh wait, I didn't get the picture, can you do it again"

The surface was gravel only I think. Was dusty but I do not think they had added anything else! Enjoy the reading, wow Translab was so ling ago!

no bungy jump for me.... but maybe something else! it's the land of outdoor adventure options!