Day 12: Rotorua to Auckland: THE END

Corrugated iron buildings in Tirau

Coffee break at the Cabbage Tree Cafe

Gary takes a nap

The group lines up for lunch at Kaiaua Fisheries, home of the southern hemisphere's best Fish&Chips...

A Red Snappe before...

... and after being turned into a meal. Öjen and Werner could hardly get enough!
The last departure

And what are the chances that we celebrate 3 birthdays on the last day of the tour?! Happy birthday Werner; alles gute zum Geburtstag!

Valerie also celebrates her birthday today

And Brad; youngest in spirit!
Day 11 - Napier to Rotorua

In the Art Deco capital of the world, and ready to ride!

Trikes only

Gary & Valerie at the Bluff Hill Lookout

Trish & Stacey looking out over Napier Harbour

What's Gunther up to?

Harold at the Huka Falls

The Geothermal Borefield in Taupo

The Maori Chief lays a gift for the foreign tribes men & women

Bob, the elected Edelweiss Chief picks up the gift

The Haka

Chief Bob touches noses with the maidens

The Poi Dance

Short stick throwing

And now it's our turn

Lights out


Time for the boys to have a go

Day 10 - Wellington to Napier
It was a windy day out there on the bikes today, but still a great one - we covered some fantastic back country roads with almost no traffic on them and the weather was kind to us the whole way!

Gunther listens intently at our morning breifing

Plenty of wines to choose from at the Martinborough Wine Cellar

Snack sized meals at the Pongaroa Pub!

Not a bad place to stop for lunch though

The world's longest place name

Just try pronouncing that in one go!
Day 9: Rest day in Wellington

Fiona and her followers, high above the Kapiti Coast

Gary and Bob looking very small inside the Southward Car Musuem

The forefathers of some of the bikes we're riding today!

Back to the Future!

A V8 motorcycle. What a beast!

View of the city from Mt. Victoria lookout
Day 8 - Motueka to Wellington

Along famous Queen Charlotte Drive


The whole group lines up to board the ferry

Admiring the scenery as our ferry sails out of Picton

Our bikes are on there somewhere too

Doing NZ proud

Happy Birthday Michi!

Cheers!
Day 7 - Punakaiki to Motueka
After a day of average weather we were greeted with a fantastic sunny day on the beach for our ride to the northern end of the South Island. And tonight, not a hotel but a home stay with the locals of Motueka!

Werner is completely relaxed on the beach

Dana soaks up the rays

The whole group together on the beach

Gunther and Michi at the Pancake Rocks

Look closely and you can see Gunther and Jeff enjoying the views

And here's Bob, Margitta and Vera

Walking between the rock formations

Some shameless marketing

The fantastic view up the Westcoast

Seals lazing on the rocks at Cape Foulwind

We stop for a break along the incredible Buller Gorge Road

Gunther inspects a fry

Stacey is getting studious - he has to find his own way to the homestay tonight!

The beast in its resting state

Bob makes sure he's on top of the directions

And they're off. On their own!

Harold has a nifty trick for directions - writing them in pencil on his wind shield!
Day 6 - northward up the West Coast to Punakaiki
It was a wet and wild day today, a typical day on the West Coast! But it wasn't without it's thrills, and thankfully the weather cleared up for our ride along the coast into Punakaiki

Tom gives us the briefing for the morning

We caught a glimpse of some Tuataras at Franz Josef Glacier

Vera tries on some local handicrafts

All the beauties lined up in a row

Werner looks comfortable in his wooden chair!

A fantastic view of the West Coast

Ojen and Werner enjoying the view
Day 5 - from Queenstown to the West Coast

Shotover River

Heading down to the jet boat jetty

Tony, looking gorgeous!

Ready for a thrilling jetboat ride!


Shade seekers

The Cardrona Hotel

The West Coast's rainforest


Grumpy bird says hello...
Day 4 - Queenstown
Our first rest day for the tour in Queenstown. We started out with a half day ride, and followed it up with some luge action!

Looking out over Blanket Bay, Lake Wakatipu

Margitta, a budding photographer

Jeff and Arla hit the road!

Michi and Gunther

Fiona, our K1600 - the star of the show at the top of Coronet Peak!

Helmets on...it's luge time!

Ready, steady, go!

Spectacular views over Queenstown

Now that's what I call a beer

Expertly poured

Pizza and Indian, all in one

Anybody for dessert?

Yep, we've got some takers

The giant ice cream
Days 2 & 3: Manapouri, Mildord Sound, Queenstown

Oh what a beautiful morning!

Waiting for the green light at Homer Tunnel





Ted's getting artistic!

Michi and Gunther enjoy the views across Milford Sound

Simply stunning

Bob and Brad - look closely in the background and you can see a few seals sunning themselves on the rocks!

Bob's about to get wet!
Time for a shower



The aptly named Mirror Lakes

Is that a drink or a dessert?

Günther and James are doing it! Proudly they show off their weights which, obviously, include those heavy, heavy boots and pants....

3....2....1....

And here he goes! This must be a b-score of at least 9.3, maybe even 9.4!!!


The well deserved boot-beer in front of our Manapouri hotel. What a location!!!

Next morning, 6:20 AM. If you wake up to THIS, what can possibly go wrong? Milford Sound is calling and 16 bikes heed the call of this awesome ride

As we approached Mt. Cook it's peak gradually appeared between the clouds. It was visible for a few minutes, enough to take some pics. There's a reason why the Maori call it Aoraki, the Cloud Piercer.
Day 1 - Christchurch to Twizel

Werner prepares for the first day's ride

Giant Tom gives us all the info for the day ahead

Arla looks ready to ride!

Brad, wearing his extra layer of plastic!

Harold looking smooth all in black

Jeff's smile stretches almost from ear to ear!

Tony gets to ride Fiona today

Michi is ready to brave the rain too

The rain is nothing to Margitta and Henning

Gary and Valerie all set and ready to go!
Welcome to New Zealand!






