Hi everybody. In this thread I'm starting to show you country where I have chance to live and study now. Today happened what had to be happened: I've bought my first motorcycle in NZ It's BMW K1100LT '92 and our first 160 km has been burned today. Seems like good bike, hopefully it will be long and strong friendship between rider and his bike. Got the video- and photocamera, got the bike. See you on the NZ roads ;-)
Welcome to the forum. Nice looking older Beemer you have there (flying brick). Look forward to seeing some of the countryside. It's a beaut country.
Lucky lucky lucky! I toured around New Zealand for a couple of weeks earlier this year. Now I'm spending all my time trying to figure out how to get back there...
Nice! Lots of great roads to explore here, have fun! Send me a PM if you are travelling down Rotorua way & call in for a coffee/beer/meal. Cheers Clint
thanks for kind words guys! I will be glad to meet local advriders here, it would be awesome )) Looking forward nearest weekend ))) By the way, it seems the man who sold me this "flying brick" () also reads advrider forum. Small world ))
I've always said, "If your going south, I'ts gotta be new zealand " live to ride......ride to live :huh
Previous Monday I need to visit Russian embassy in Wellington for some paperwork. For sake of that I sat on motorcycle and left Auckland Sunday morning. Here is the route: Through Rotorua and Taupo (road 1), and way back trough road 4. It's actually impossible to show all these beautiful places by camera, especially as simple camera as mine. So I was lazy enough to make lots of pictires and preferred to enjoy the views by myself ) First shots near Rotorua, around Rotoiti Forest. I've made short stop there to visit Clint, who's on this phorum as well. What a shame, I've forgotten about camera and have no pic with him! All right, better luck next time.. This is Taupo, couple of shots from local scenic view point: Then I've followed the road around the lake and landscape has begun to change. Ruapehu Mountain on the right side (west from the road 1). It's get colder Ground has brown colours there, same with bushes and grass - no green stuff at all! Later I've catched rainy cloud, put my camera into the pocket and didn't touch it that day anymore; it's get dark soon. To organise sleeping place I've found campground in Paekakariki, <a href="http://g.co/maps/22g5k">here</a>. I've reached this campground about 8:30 pm and it's office has been already closed. Rump was closed too, but at least there was enough space to go through for motorcycle! I've done what I did in US travel in 2008 once: chosen place for tent by myself and decided to manage payment next morning. But I left campgound more than hour before office open, so finally that was free. Well... I didn't find any particular box and envelopes for cash which I would find in some american campgounds, so not my fault... Here is the morning, time to go to Wellington Came to the city, found consulate and stopped around there. Russian consulate is so Russian! When I've came there, secretary said they can't make paperwork that I need. In fact, they could one week ago when I've arranged time for visit, but now they don't. They said "we are sorry you came to Wellingtom from Auckland for nothing". Well, actually I've cane not for nothing. I had awesome ride across beautiful places and going back through them - so why I should feel that ride was for nothing? )) No, I'm actually glad I went to Wellington. It would be worst if they called me to say not to go: I really was looking forward that short trip, so everything was fine ) All right, now time to find place with nice view of the city and them to go back to Auckland. While looking for entry to the scenic view I've met new friend... ... and finally found vista point. Happy Dog, my partner in travels since 2008 Made some shots of Tui birds... <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/30339159?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="398" height="224" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe> ... and turned back to Auckland. Ruapehu on the right side again, but now from the road 4. Then was as always: rainy, dark - so no photos ) I left Wellington 12:00 and arrived home in Northcote at 11:45 PM Non-stop rain last 4-5 hours, despite the rainsuit I get wet )
Looks like you had a great trip to Wellington! It was great to meet you, and you are always welcome back - especially if you bring more Russian chocolate. We are already half way through the current shipment
2 Rosie! hey, thanks a lot for company! Unfortunately I have no chocolate anymore, but hopefully soon I'll have a chance to treat you by own-made beer ;-) Although I need a few weeks to understand was that made properly or not )) 2 the Darth Peach: Rivka, you must go here, you'll definately will like it! Here are many beautiful roads...
Mmmm... Beer... It was nice to meet you Alex, as summer comes hopefully you will be able to see more of NZ without being rained on! Cheers Clint PS. We are having a campout at Minginui 5-6 November if you need another excuse for a ride. PM me for details.
Thanks for meet me in Rotoiti, Clint! Hopefully next time we'll have more free hours for some beer too ))) I've sent PM to you
after few months of the "rest" I'm on the road again. first day are not so inspired though )) <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/38215380?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="398" height="224" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> Got the XTZ 750 Super Tenere '96 (European version) and gopro camera. Looking forward when this bike actually will work properly ))
Hey Alex, I spent a few minutes today on Advrider catching up with your travels. NZ sounds great. If you make your way back to Chicago, give me a shout & I'll return the favor from Vladivostok. :)
Kia Ora; Enjoy your stay in NZ. It is a wonderful place if you like the outdoors. Lived there for 3 years and loved it. Just keep doing what you are doing and the place will grow on you big time. The people are very kind and will help you immensely. Tyr some sail whilst you are in Auckalnd and have a crack at following some rugby.
When you get settled and want some more places to go, try The Bay of Plenty area,Whakatane up to the East Cape. While in the bay area try the helicopter ride out to White Island - magic ! Enjoy N.Z. Regards......................tobuk ( recently left those shores )