Post 10 - Half of New Zealand
It’s amazing to me how different the sense of time is on a trip from normal life. I look back on the last two weeks and it feels like so much time has passed.
These two weeks began somewhere on the tip of the South Island, with the first encounter with the Southern Ocean.
This encounter also included the first surfing session in New Zealand. The waves were great and it was fun to get back to surfing despite the freezing water.
From there, Yael and I drove to our hosts for the next two days (New Zealand has a large number of Christians who love Israel and they host Israelis with great love). Chris and Margaret welcomed us to their beautiful farm near Invercargill. When we arrived we also met Yaela and Yonatan, whom I first met in Rothenburg.
It was a great pleasure to stay in the luxurious house, eat great food and rest a bit from the last few days.
First surf session in New Zealand
With Chris and Margaret
Walk around the farm
Two days later, full and clean, we were ready to set off for our next destination, Curio Bay. On the way there, we stopped in Invercargill to see the Antique Motorcycle Museum (the largest motorcycle museum in the southern hemisphere).
The old motorcycles were very cool and I spent hours wandering around there like a kid in a toy shop among shiny Harley Davidsons and Royal Enfields.
I picked up a pie from the shop next door (my first pie in New Zealand, which was incredibly delicious) and we set off. When we got to Curio Bay, someone at the entrance said that some dolphins had just arrived. We put on our swimsuits and ran into the water.
In the water, dozens of cute little dolphins were waiting for us (the Hector dolphin found in this area is the smallest in the world). I tapped a couple of coins underwater to call these cuties, I don’t know if that’s why, but the dolphins circled us.
The next morning, we each split up and I set off on a journey along the east coast. I stopped at all sorts of beautiful spots on the way to my first night on the beach near Dunedin.
In the morning I went to watch my first cricket match. Ranjit, the Indian guy sitting next to me, explained all the rules and tactics to me. Interesting game although football takes easily.
Water from the barrel
After 6 hours, when I was already familiar with all the rules and after Otago’s loss was already clear, I headed towards the house of Betty and Robert, my hosts for the night. Robert is such a cute grandpa, one that reminds me of the character in the movie Up. The connection with him was quick, we talked about life and laughed a lot that evening. Maya and Shahar also arrived and it was nice to catch up.
I bought a surfboard, a wetsuit and now I’m ready for any scenario. I went surfing in Dunedin and it was a wonderful start. From there, after an impromptu shower, I went on a tour of the Speight Brewery. We were a group of Israelis who gathered at the entrance, we went through the tour together and finally got to the important part - free beer, we sipped on all kinds of beer and our heads started spinning.
Yonatan, Yaela, Shahar, Maya and I drove towards Omero and slept in a camp on the beach, it was really nice to spend the evening together. At 6am I lifted my head from the pillow and saw a great wave through the windshield - it was a great morning session. After that I went to look for penguins and indeed they were found alongside many sea lions.
The next destination was Omoro. I arrived at the next host (I really did a tour), Nikki. I went out to see penguins again in the evening, this time blue and not yellow. Timaru was another place I stopped at for no more than 24 hours, where I added cool drawers to the car.
On the way to Christchurch I stopped at a falafel. Finally I found real falafel and not a “Turkish” place that puts a few meatballs in a tortilla with hot chili.
Yellow-eyed penguins
Real falafel
In Christchurch there was a small closure, how many experiences happened between the first and second time in the city, incredible.
The stay in the city was light and pleasant, I met some Israelis in the camping and we spent the weekend together.
One day I accidentally broke the handle of the car. I went to a junkyard in the city, found a suitable handle and reassembled it, I couldn’t be happier after it started working again.
From the city I continued on my journey to Arthur’s Pass, a simply lovely area!
The door handle, in our hands
Castle Hill
Avalanche Peak
Now I’m sitting here in the Zola in Punakaiki, after two surfing sessions and a good shower. What can we say, life really is good.
I’m about halfway through my stay in New Zealand, eagerly awaiting the second part!
Really appreciate what I have, here and in general. A wonderful two weeks and may it continue like this!