After two endless years, we are finally allowed to ride motorcycles again on New Zealand.  Everything will be prepared to then start in Christchurch

Nach zwei endlosen Jahren dürfen wir auf Neuseeland endlich wieder Motorrad fahren.  Alles wird vorbereitet, um dann in Christchurch zu starten

The adventure is about to begin!!! Our first day in the saddle .... as soon as we left Christchurch's morning traffic behind, famous Summit Road welcomed us with warm & sunny weather, the smell of spring and freedom, an endless sea of blossom and the most wonderful views one can imagine. Along the roads trough flat and fertile land, gorges and hills we head towards Twizel. And had the luck to see Mount Cook, NZs highest mountain in its full majesty mirrowing in the turquiose waters of Lake Tekapo. 

Summit Road: Leading round the crater of an extinguished volcano ... the most beautyful views all way round!

Andi & MIchael enjoying the first Photostopp of the Tour.

Hard Core Spring & Günther

Lee ... seeking words to describe the beauty.

First contact with the Maori Culture.

Roger? Roger! Connected ... to continue

Mount Cook ... simply jawdropping.

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapi.

Michaela!!!!

Boys & the Boys Toys!

The End of a perfect Day.

Today we leave Twizel and another exciting day awaits us.  Today is bungy jump day.  Let's see who dares to fall 43 meters into the depths.  But before things get exciting we drive through the "Orchard" of New Zealand and through the beautiful Karawau Gorge.  In the evening we will sit together over a beer in Te Aenau and talk about what we have experienced

Heute verlassen wir Twizel und ein weiterer aufregender Tag erwartet uns.  Heute ist Bungee-Jumping-Tag.  Mal sehen, wer es wagt, 43 Meter in die Tiefe zu stürzen.  Doch bevor es spannend wird, fahren wir durch den „Orchard“ Neuseelands und durch die wunderschöne Karawau Gorge.  Abends sitzen wir bei einem Bier im Te Aenau zusammen und sprechen über das Erlebte

Lindis Pass

Karawau Gorge

Ha ha ha ha 

Lee is so proud

Today we start early in the morning, because we have full program on our schedule. A wonderful road leads us from Te Anau through rainforest into the marvellous Milford Sound, a NZ Must See! Rudyard Kipling, the author of the "Djunglebook" described it as the 8th worldwonder - and yes its amazing: waterfalls, high snow covered mountains all around, rare animals. After impressive hours in the sound we return to Te Anau for a fabulous Picnic Lunch, Michalea prepared for the group. On straight roads we ride towards Queenstown, rush to the Hotel and prepare for another highlight: The Steamboat TSS Earnslaw ships us to our Restaurant on the other side of Lake Wakatipu and later in evening back to Queenstown again, where a long an impressive da has its end.

Michael

Günter 

Lee

Felix

... on our way to Milford Sound.

Michael in calm anticipation of the oncoming boat tour round Milford Sound.

Milford Sound: 14 Kilometres of WOW ...

182 days of rain in one year ... and we got flawless blue skies to admire the immaculate beauty of the place.

How to describe that? Come here, have a look!!!

Back at Te Anau Michaela surprised us with a perfect Picnic at the Lakeside.

We don't walking to the Dinner......

..... We have a Boot 

It’s one of the best ways to see Queenstown’s surrounding landscape – a cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic century-old coal-fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw.

A rest day doesn't mean that you can't ride a motorbike.  In the most beautiful sunshine we set off to cycle 150 km in a relaxed manner.

Ein Ruhetag bedeutet nicht, dass Wir kein Motorrad fahren können.  Bei schönstem Sonnenschein fahren  wir entspannt 150 km 

Lake Wakatipu

we wanted ....  in Arrowtown

Unforgettable ..... this day will be !!  we start in Queenstown to drive over the highest roadside in New Zealand.  The old coffee from 1932 is a great photo spot.  continue through fantastic landscapes , past Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea .  Breathtaking play of light in the water, the mountains are reflected in it.  we pass the Haast Pass and swing along the river towards today's destination.  BUT the day is not over yet.  We should still be impressed by what lies ahead of us.  we charter two helicopters to take us up Fox Glacier.  With an impressive snow landing.  We will never forget that !!

Unvergesslich ..... wird dieser Tag sein !!  Wir starten in Queenstown, um über den höchsten Straßepass Neuseelands zu fahren.  Das alte Kaffee von 1932 ist ein tolles Fotomotiv.  Weiter geht es durch fantastische Landschaften, vorbei am Lake Wanaka und Lake Hawea.  Atemberaubende Lichtspiele im Wasser, die Berge spiegeln sich darin.  Wir passieren den Haast Pass und schwingen uns entlang des Flusses unserem heutigen Ziel entgegen.  ABER der Tag ist noch nicht vorbei.  Wir sollten trotzdem beeindruckt sein von dem, was vor uns liegt.  Wir chartern zwei Helikopter, die uns auf den Fox Glacier bringen.  Mit einer beeindruckenden Schneelandung.  Das werden wir nie vergessen!!

Hotel Cardona 

Lake Wanaka 

Lake Hawea 

Tasmania sea 

Fox Glacier 

Günter is so happy 

Lee - on the top -Fox Glacier 

Today we left the Land of the Glaciers behind and headed from Fox via Franz Josef to Harihari, where we visited Avial Pioneers Guy Menzies Memorial - in the early 30ties Guy flew over to NZ from Australia in a tiny Plane ... 13 hours! After a nice rest in Hokitika we rode up the wonderful sweeping road up to Arthurs Pass. At the Coffee Stop up there we had the luck to get in contact with the Clowns of the mountains: the rare Kea- Birds! Via Strongman Mine - a Gold Miners Memorial - we arrived at Punakaikis Main Atraction: the breathtaking Pancake- Rocks!

Pancake Rocks 

Cape Foulwind

kindergarden for seals

Gunter is still looking

main attraction

Buller Gorge

Lunchstop Murchison 

breathtaking views of Abel Tasman Bay

Today we had a DeTour-Day - means: the planned Route between Nelson and Picton am d the Queen Charlotte Drive was closed due to a Landslide, that washed  parts of the road away. So we headed down South again and than found our way via Kikiwa and Saint Arnaud to Blenheim and finally to Picton -on lovely sweeping roads through the Marlborough Wine Region. After a nice Lunch in Picton we entered the Ferry to Wellington and in the bright Sunshine we sailed over Cook Strait, leaving the Southern Island behind and were welcomed by the Northern Island.

Picton, Ferry harbour for Wellington.

Waiting for the Feryy ....

.... and waiting ...

... and finally boarding!

Queen Charlotte Sound.

Cook Strait.

Welcome to ... WELLINGTON!

What an amazing day in and around Wellington. The busy Capitol of NZ lays smothered between gentle green hills and lovely ocean bays. Our hotel is located in the very center of the town - an excellent base to exploring the city. But the most of our group decided for a motorcycle ride: first on curvy roads out of town, then on curvy one lane roads to Johnsonville, further along to the beautyful shores of Kapiti Coast to Paraparamu and the famous Southward Car-Museum - one of the Worlds largest Car-Collections. From there we took the challenging Akatarawa Road - a ride full of surprise: one lane over  more than 20 kilometres, with oncoming traffic, stone, branches and blind corners - our short rest at Staglands Nature Reserve was more than earned! Back in Wellington we climbed up the Victoria Lookout to enjoy the fabulous view and finished this day in town with an icecold beer at a stylish brewery.

In the early morning we bid adieu to Rotorua and its special, healthy sulfuric smell by visiting the hot springs and mud pools in the city Park. We made our way via Tauranga and Katikati  to Waihi Beach, and were impressed by the amazing coastline and sometimes rough Pacific Ocean. From there we reached the famous Coromandel Coast at Tairua - wonderful winiding roads up- and downhills. While having a Fish'n'Chips Lunch, the first rain of the day went down and luckily stopped before we left. Scenic roads brought us to Thames and Kawakawa Beach and finally to Auckland - in heavy rain and traffic jam ... But what a wonderful city this is: We had a short walk in town and afterwards Dinner on the Top of Auckland: the City Towers 360° Panorama Restaurant - 170 metres above the citycenter - simply jawdropping. But we also had to say "Farewell" to Lee - his NZ-Experience ended here in Auckland, as he spends some more days on the Islands for fishing. Thanks Lee - we had a wonderful time with you and looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Hot mud pool at Rotorua City Park.

At a Kiwi-Farm.

Coffeebreak at the seaside.

Auckland: exploring the City.

Hard to believe: it's nearly Xmas time!!!

Impressive Auckland City Tower.

Fine dining ... 170 metres up the ground!

WOW!!!!

Even more WOOOOOWWW!!!!

Here we are on another "restless" Restday-Ride: From Auckland to Pukekohe and further to the most beautyful bays of Raglan and back. 350 Kilometres of pure joy! Or should we better say: 330 km ... why? For the last 20 km on the Motorway back to Auckland the skies opened all floodgates and sent us a monsun-rain without compare - none of us had experienced such an amount of water from above before! Soaked but happy we arrived at Auckland again.

At lovely Nikau Cafe with ... 

... with its delicious Carot-cake!

And charming Daniela, originally from Bitterfeld/Germany. She and her husband own a farm nearby the Nikau Cafe and she thaught Günter everything about sheep-farming.

Wonderful country-roads ...

And wonderful bays at Raglan! A real Surfers Paradise ...

... isn't it?