South Island tour for holidays so darling I won't be home for Christmas or New Year

[DIN PELENDA]

After 20 years in NZ I finally planing to do tour around South Island, I heard how beautiful it is and was advise from lot of my biking mates to do it. It is bit hard to leave wife with 5 kids, so I will take one 8 yo daughter with me. Just the two of us. Be good for her to see and share experience of trip with me, as lot of you KB's know me I always take one of my kids on ride, trips and relies. On Wednesday 23 I'm finishing 12 hr last shift 6am from work and be leaving Auckland 7am to Lower Hutt staying night there with my workmate family. Was advise and planing to catch early morning ferry to Picton on Thursday.:woohoo:. like to get to top of South Island maybe stay in Motueka first night and do west cost first. We got more then two weeks to do it so it should be enough time and leaving R1 at home ST 1100 will do the job. I got NZ motorcycle atlas to help me and few advises, taking tent and sleeping bags if we get stuck for accommodation. I have read some advices on KB,like taking you own tidedown's for ferry but if anyone got any other advise like what to take with me, what not to take, places to see, places not to go to, cheep accommodations or anything that will help me be much appreciated. I will have no excess to KB :bye:no internet on ST1100 .
If any of you South Islanders or bikers down there see metallic blue ST1100 with distinctive visybike indicators on, heavily loaded and with small pillion at the back feel free to say hi.:niceone:
I'm looking forward to it, ride on :rockon::woohoo::banana::soon:
Din

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Good luck Din you will have a fantastic time the south island has some awsome views. You will have to find an internet cafe some where to sign on and let us know how you are getting on. Have a happy and safe Christmas and new Year.

Pete & Wendy

[YellowDog]

Great idea.

It may also help avoid the expense of a sixth child :)

[LBD]

20 years...bit bloddy over due!

And has your wife seen the South yet?

[crazyhorse]

Sure is a shame you cannot take your wife. Good on you taking a child along.

My kids have done lots of miles on the back of our bikes, and its a great experience.

Have a super time.

Merry Christmas to you and your family :hug:

[DIN PELENDA]

20 years...bit bloddy over due!

And has your wife seen the South yet?

No, we got no one to leave kids with.:crybaby:

[DIN PELENDA]

Sure is a shame you cannot take your wife. Good on you taking a child along.

My kids have done lots of miles on the back of our bikes, and its a great experience.

Have a super time.

Merry Christmas to you and your family :hug:

Nice of u 2 to take kids with you, they get to see country, meet lot of people, it is great experience and builds character in kids.:)
If I could take all of them on bike I would:chase:
Thank you and Merry Christmas.

[DMNTD]

You 2 will have wicked fun Din.
100% correct re taking your own tie downs though!! I would've been toast without mine.

Oh....pic's or it never happened

[DIN PELENDA]

Good luck Din you will have a fantastic time the south island has some awsome views. You will have to find an internet cafe some where to sign on and let us know how you are getting on. Have a happy and safe Christmas and new Year.

Pete & Wendy

Yes this will be bit of adventure for us, you are right if I found any int. cafe, I will keep you updated how we doing. It is views that I'm after not just roads, that is why I taking as longest as I can to do it. I'm hoping my wife can keep up with rest of kids.
Thanks guys, I hope you two have great holidays, take care:hug:

[DIN PELENDA]

You 2 will have wicked fun Din.
100% correct re taking your own tie downs though!! I would've been toast without mine.

Oh....pic's or it never happened

I hope we do mate:wari: .Tie downs is last ting I put in top box so it is ease accessible, is it better to put bike on center stand or side stand ?. Will take and post lot of photos:woohoo: , hope we catch up after all for Bourbon:drinkup:, have one or two for me over holidays, be no drinking for me. I'm gonna miss you.:bye:
Have safe one :niceone:

[nallac]

mate your keen finishing 12hr Graveyard then heading to wellytown.
Theres no way i would wanna do that after my 12hr G/Y shifts.

Ridesafe and enjoy your trip.Just wish my kids where up for a long ride like that.

[_Shrek_]

I hope we do mate:wari: .Tie downs is last ting I put in top box so it is ease accessible, is it better to put bike on center stand or side stand ?. Will take and post lot of photos:woohoo: , hope we catch up after all for Bourbon:drinkup:, have one or two for me over holidays, be no drinking for me. I'm gonna miss you.:bye:
Have safe one :niceone:

put it on side stand then use your tie down on opposite side 1st untill just off centre then side stand side, then opposite bike should be free standing & in neutarl but I do leave side ste down so when you let presure off goes over onto stand

ps pm on way

[DIN PELENDA]

mate your keen finishing 12hr Graveyard then heading to wellytown.
Theres no way i would wanna do that after my 12hr G/Y shifts.

Ridesafe and enjoy your trip.Just wish my kids where up for a long ride like that.

You are right I thought about it, I be OK it is last night I get some sleep at work anyway :shutup:and probably finish orly and get few hr sleep.

[Goblin]

Good onya for taking a nestie. Will be a long haul to Welly after a night shift tho.

Interislander had a heap of brand new tiedowns a couple of weeks ago but Bluebridge had only rope ones.

Takaka Hill is a must if you stay in Motueka. There's the Anatoki Salmon farm where you can catch your lunch, fresh smoked while you wait. Bit further up the road is Pupu Springs. Biggest fresh water spring in Australaisa and worth a look. Then it's a short trip to Farewell Spit...

I dont advise Harwards Hole on a road bike as the road/goat track in there is 11kms of rocks, boulders, potholes and corrugations.:sweatdrop

On the East Coast there's the seals near Kaikura(lots of babies there atm), and you cant go past Cay's Crays...little caravan on the roadside just north of Kaikura.:drool: Some of the others are nearly twice the price.

We generally stay at backpackers down there and they all have internet access, so no excuses for not keeping in touch!

If you stay at Haast, the Wilderness Backpackers is fab! Say hi to Ollie for us.

Have a great trip Din!:sunny:

[DidJit]

Hey, watch out for :Police:, eh! Haha ;)
If you need someone to babysit the R1, I'm just down the road... :devil2:
Have a good trip, bro. Take lots of photos!

[Daffyd]

Could be a bed in the Catlins for ya if the timing's right.

Keep in touch.

[DIN PELENDA]

Could be a bed in the Catlins for ya if the timing's right.

Keep in touch.

Thank you so much for you offer, I was told not to plan to much ahead but I expect to be in Invercargill and Bluff sometimes after new year that is not to far from you, sorry but this is first time I herd of Catlins. Man I got loot to learn and see. Planing to go down West coast and see Wanaka, Queenstown and Milford sound before I go south. I my stay first night in Nelson with one of KB . Will keep in touch. I wouldn't like to be hassle to you or anyone at this time of year so even if you got just place to park bike and put up little 2 person tent, will be much appreciated . I was told that most of camping grounds and backpackers are fool .:soon:.

[_Shrek_]

I wouldn't like to be hassle to you or anyone at this time of year.

when the offer is made Din, it's not a hassle as i've found the biker community when tripping around, either down here (or when up in the norf) :laugh:
have a great trip & take lotsa pic's & hope to catch up when you're down this way

[Daffyd]

when the offer is made Din, it's not a hassle as i've found the biker community when tripping around, either down here (or when up in the norf) :laugh:


At this stage I'm not sure when I return to work, but should be home.
PM on the way.

[LBD]

No, we got no one to leave kids with.:crybaby:

Understand...Mate have a good ride....If you make it that far, then Milford is a must in fine weather....but cruise the road from Te Anau on, enjoy the scenery and watch for stupid tourists. Your daughter would be blown away by the mountains and valleys. My profile picture is between the divide and the Hollyford valley road to give you some idea.

[DIN PELENDA]

when the offer is made Din, it's not a hassle as i've found the biker community when tripping around, either down here (or when up in the norf) :laugh:
have a great trip & take lotsa pic's & hope to catch up when you're down this way
Tel me about it I know what you saying I was just on my way to work tonight start at 6 pm , was running bit late but before MT Wellington of ramp north bound was blue and white GSXR 750 late model 07 on side of the motor-way I stop even that I was late to work. Biker have got puncher in new beck tire only done 50 km he show me big nail so I ask how can I help. He told me that at Waipuna at 6.30 he is got ceremony, because he just graduated so he was leaving bike there and ask me to give him lift to Waipuna. I told him I will have to go home and get my beck seat, on R1 only got caver. So I did go home and back to give him lift to Waipuna. He left his bike on side of the motor-way and told me he will get it home after ceremony. So dude if you are KB I hope you got your bike home before dark:sweatdrop.I was 40 min late to work but that is OK, good thing will come beck to me.
Regardless of me being late to work I have to do it, as I see him there first ting come to my mind was "imagine if that was me on trip around SI"

Yes I know what you saying about bikers community I help lot of us and you guys help me. :niceone:

At this stage I'm not sure when I return to work, but should be home.
PM on the way.

Thanks guys for you PM and offers, I will keep that in mind and I wont forget .

[Jantar]

Room here in Alexandra as well. We are one hour from either Queenstown or Wanaka.

[DIN PELENDA]

Room here in Alexandra as well. We are one hour from either Queenstown or Wanaka.

Wow man, I'm overwhelmed by your response, what can I say, thank you all so much :rockon: One more night :wari:

[DIN PELENDA]

Hey, watch out for :Police:, eh! Haha ;)
If you need someone to babysit the R1, I'm just down the road... :devil2:
Have a good trip, bro. Take lots of photos!

I'm not even taking radar with me, be going ease and enjoying scenery not just roads. So you coming to pick up bike today :scooter: you welcome. Should be good trip. Have great holidays and see you in 2010:rockon:

[gijoe1313]

Hey Din, good on ya for getting out and doing the trip with one of your kids! It is an absolute pearler down there to be riding on two wheels of freedom. Gremlin and I did the trip last year and we had a blast (as well as not managing to kill one another!)

Here's the thread (if you can be bothered to wade through it) http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=89265

And yeah, after a graveyard shift, try to have a nap for a hour before leaving okay? :yes:

[DidJit]

I'm not even taking radar with me, be going ease and enjoying scenery not just roads. So you coming to pick up bike today :scooter: you welcome. Should be good trip. Have great holidays and see you in 2010:rockon:

Haha :) Must... try... to... resist... call... of... the... R1...

Have an excellent trip!

[DIN PELENDA]

Hey Din, good on ya for getting out and doing the trip with one of your kids! It is an absolute pearler down there to be riding on two wheels of freedom. Gremlin and I did the trip last year and we had a blast (as well as not managing to kill one another!)

Here's the thread (if you can be bothered to wade through it) http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=89265

And yeah, after a graveyard shift, try to have a nap for a hour before leaving okay? :yes:

Nice & long read thanks, will try to do something like that but don't expect that much story from me, I will take lot of photos tho . Be bit different to your trip because I got special pillion with me not just beck pack.
I'm at work now, finishing at 3 am home for neap.
We got place in Wellington for night , be like protest ride to Wellington that I done with you after work. Thursday catching Interisland ferry at 7.30 am to Picton and bringing some good weather south with me.:sunny:

[DIN PELENDA]

Just finish talking to my boos :oi-grr:and told him abouth my South Island tour and that if I my not be back on 11 & 12 jan to work . He told me I can take this to night's of and come beck on 18 jan. So now if I need I got 25 days to do tour.:2thumbsup
I can just about say "I'm moving to South Island":shit:

[R1madness]

Beds here in Christchurch for you both, a room each or bunk together what ever suits ya. You can put up a tent if you want tho... And a garage for the bike, and some tools for a quick mid trip look over if you feel the urge... Spa or sauna to unwind in... stay a night or a week its up to you...

[DIN PELENDA]

Beds here in Christchurch for you both, a room each or bunk together what ever suits ya. You can put up a tent if you want tho... And a garage for the bike, and some tools for a quick mid trip look over if you feel the urge... Spa or sauna to unwind in... stay a night or a week its up to you...

Much appreciated thank you. Leaving Auckland now.

[gijoe1313]

Merry Xmas big guy! Hope you and your daughter are loving the road trip! Keep safe out there and enjoy, enjoy and enjoy! :yes: :ride: :scooter: :apint:

[DIN PELENDA]

Caught ferry from Wellington to Picton we stayed the night in Nelson - what a nice city thanks Ginie for accommodation much appreciated. Then we gone up to Golden bay for ride and down West coast, it was beautiful got to Franz Josef and stayed two nights cause of rain, left F.J. on Friday and gone to Wanaka and Queenstown got beer:apint: and Cordona Hotel and got to Te Anau 27 km North of town found nice camp by lake. This morning took ride to Milford sounds that was amazing, will down load photos later just don't know how to work this computer. from M.S. ride scenic route to Invercagill and Bluff tonight staying in top 10 camping ground in Invercargill I will try make up my mind which way to go if anyone got any suggestions please respond. My little girl and me having a blast and we fell in love with South Island:hug: please don't let us go back north:nono:

[Genie]

I'm so pleased you're enjoying yourself, sorry about the wet weather over the coast, it does happen from time to time. You're seeing more of this beautiful country than i ever have. Best i get out there. Was lovely to meet you both. Carry on with the blast. :msn-wink:

[DIN PELENDA]

I'm so pleased you're enjoying yourself, sorry about the wet weather over the coast, it does happen from time to time. You're seeing more of this beautiful country than i ever have. Best i get out there. Was lovely to meet you both. Carry on with the blast. :msn-wink:

Yes I hope you get that bike and get out,you need time for you self , if you on that nort island you know my house is open to you. Say helo to your kids and have happy New Year.:niceone:

[DIN PELENDA]

tomorow going Catlin way

[FJRider]

tomorow going Catlin way

Way to go ... :2thumbsup

[stify]

Caught ferry from Wellington to Picton we stayed the night in Nelson - what a nice city thanks Ginie for accommodation much appreciated. Then we gone up to Golden bay for ride and down West coast, it was beautiful got to Franz Josef and stayed two nights cause of rain, left F.J. on Friday and gone to Wanaka and Queenstown got beer:apint: and Cordona Hotel and got to Te Anau 27 km North of town found nice camp by lake. This morning took ride to Milford sounds that was amazing, will down load photos later just don't know how to work this computer. from M.S. ride scenic route to Invercagill and Bluff tonight staying in top 10 camping ground in Invercargill I will try make up my mind which way to go if anyone got any suggestions please respond. My little girl and me having a blast and we fell in love with South Island:hug: please don't let us go back north:nono:

sounds like cool trip, can't wait to do a lap of the south island in march, I'll catch up wit you for some tips/places to see

happy new year

[McJim]

I wouldn't fancy the Catlins in this weather....twisty and slippery (moss on the roads) best of luck. Gimme a shout if you need somewhere to pitch a tent in Invergiggle (have a nice sheltered back lawn - very flat and comfy for the tented people)

[Genie]

Happy New Year...have a wonderful 2010.

[DIN PELENDA]

Just like to post some photos from trip we really enjoy it, I have to say nicer Island and nicer people. Will do bigger story about it but bit busy at moment with family things.
1. Stop for beer
2.Waking up to view on lake Te Anau at Te Anau Downs
3.Stop on way to Milford Sound
4.Lake Wanaka

[Maha]

Just like to post some photos from trip we really enjoy it, I have to say nicer Island and nicer people. Will do bigger story about it but bit busy at moment with family things.

It is a nicer isalnd DIN but the people? come on mate, we're all Kiwi's, yes even you....;)

Look forward to you write-up when you get back.
We are off to the beach for two weeks on Sunday to do a whole lot of nothing.
Enjoy the rest of your trip mate, see ya when you get back.

You know th ole' saying eh?
''Dont leave town till you have seen the Country''
Looks like you are doing just that...:yes:

[Genie]

Hello there...nice to see you're still thinking of us. Looks awesomely beautiful down there.

Found some pretty pink sunglasses...will post them up home for you.

Continue enjoying the south island.

Karen

[_Shrek_]

Just like to post some photos from trip we really enjoy it, I have to say nicer Island and nicer people.

:laugh: you know it :clap: cya when ya's get a baby sitter :msn-wink:


It is a nicer isalnd DIN but the people? come on mate, we're all Kiwi's, yes even you....;)


well just to let you know mate, my Aunty Tina wrote a song about me & said that i could dedicate it to those who live on the main land if i wanted to, you may have heard it "simply the best" :woohoo: :wari:

[DIN PELENDA]

Thanks again for having us there on first night Karen, even as we left your place I couldn't believe I was on South Island, we are back in Auckland now, my girl left her suny's but don't worry about it I use bit of black tape on her visor to stop sun going in her eye's.
Other thing is what ever happened to this KB site since I was gone , it is change for worse and I found it hard to work it out.

[Daffyd]

Did you get your tyre problems sorted?

[DIN PELENDA]

It is a nicer island DIN but the people? come on mate, we're all Kiwi's, yes even you....;)

Look forward to you write-up when you get back.
We are off to the beach for two weeks on Sunday to do a whole lot of nothing.
Enjoy the rest of your trip mate, see ya when you get back.

You know th ole' saying eh?
''Dont leave town till you have seen the Country''
Looks like you are doing just that...:yes:
There is no problem with kiwis on any island but I have to say is easer to found good one's on South one. Not being resist but it is just nice to see that Chinese and Indians are manly in tour buses and everyone is nicer on roads and more welcoming.

[LBD]

Mate ...so glad Te Anau turned the weather on for you and you Daughter after my sales pitch...sounds like you had a great trip.....

[Genie]

Thanks again for having us there on first night Karen, even as we left your place I couldn't believe I was on South Island, we are back in Auckland now, my girl left her suny's but don't worry about it I use bit of black tape on her visor to stop sun going in her eye's.
Other thing is what ever happened to this KB site since I was gone , it is change for worse and I found it hard to work it out.

yes...the KB site sure has changed. You'll get used to it...though I'm still trying to find smilies!!! It's the blonde in me.

Glad you both got home safely. Hi to Murina. Was a pleasure to meet her...such a darling young lady.

Hi from the kids...I showed them your pics and Daniel's all excited because it's din and murina!

[DIN PELENDA]

Did you get your tyre problems sorted?

No but I just got use to it and I did stop stop in Balcutha Honda shop and Christchurch shop all they say was back tire was different profile to front. You are right only good bike shop in Inverc.. is Yamaha. Honda shop in town charge me 100$ more for same tire and put wrong profile tire on it and I ride Honda. They try to say that tire from Yamaha must be old stock but I check it it was only year old.

[DIN PELENDA]

So I was saying how cool our trip was. Just some more photos. Do I have to say how windy was in Wellington. That road sign just miss my broke few metes from us.

[stify]

So I was saying how cool our trip was. Just some more photos. Do I have to say how windy was in Wellington.

glad ya had a good trip dude....oh and it's always windy in wellington..:)

[DIN PELENDA]

Have to say on Ferry streps were good and I didn't need my one, they mast of got new ones and is good ting to put big rubber wedge at back of bike back tire, some bikers don't notice is there. West cost was nice, but we tray to get through it in one day cos was looking is going to rain we got to Franc Josef and it rain.

[caseye]

Great pics there Din, she is a great place to go and see, all that there is to see right on our back door step.

[DIN PELENDA]

Riding south of Hasst was nice and as we got to lake Wanaka and Hawea it was stunning I have to say West cost roads are hard on tires.

[DIN PELENDA]

Riding those Cardrona valley roads between Wanaka and Queenstown was fun but there was some very windy roads coming down to Arrow Junction. You just have to stop and have beer in old pub.

[LBD]

Mate ...looks like a great trip...nice pics, I know most of the spots...makes me home sick

One photo op you did miss..... if your Daughter is anything like mine ...on the coast is a bridge over a river called "Windbag creek"...I have a series of photos of her starting at about 4yo in front of the sign...she is in her 20's now and has not changed a bit.

[DIN PELENDA]

From there we got to Te Anau ( far west ) to have lunch and as we were going north from town to Te Anau Down abut 25 km on way to M. Sound's we stay in camping ground just as you turn of road by Lake Te Anau biggest lake in South Island. We camp 10 m from water, lucky there was not high tide. It was beautiful sunset and wakeup by lake ,suggest for anyone to do it if you go there, 5$ per night camp is got toilet and million dollar view , just watch out for possums , that rubbish bag that we left outside tent was everywhere in the morning and they are nose neighbors.

[DIN PELENDA]

In the morning we have some fish for breakfast, courtesy of couple from Christchurch that camp next to us and we were on way to Milford Sound.

[DIN PELENDA]

Milford Sound say it all and what a ride and road to it !

[Lucy]

Not being resist but it is just nice to see that Chinese and Indians are manly in tour buses and everyone is nicer on roads and more welcoming.

Great ride, great pics, great write up, but I gotta say, in that sentence you actually are being racist.

[Jantar]

Great ride, great pics, great write up, but I gotta say, in that sentence you actually are being racist.
When it comes to the tour groups, that comment isn't racist, its culturist. For some reason many of the aisian tour groups are downright rude, and Din is correct when he says that its better that they are mainly on the busses.

[Genie]

Absolutely awesome pictures. You two had so much fun and saw so much beauty. Thank you for sharing.
Did you get a call about the R1? Alan really wants it!!!! Posted to sunnies up too so you should get those either today or Monday.
I'll be up your way later this year so I'll give you a call and come meet the rest of the Pelenda family.

[DIN PELENDA]

Great ride, great pics, great write up, but I gotta say, in that sentence you actually are being racist.

All good as long as is not many of you driving on roads is South Island I be happy , being hit twice in Auckland by Asians in Auckland, I spouse You become one !

[Genie]

and sorry to say....but Auckland is full of asians.....I'd never seen so many. If you lived in Nelson you'd be hit by the Granny's.

[DIN PELENDA]

On second thought I cant be racist, I did have Asian girlfriend good in bed and kitchen, noting against them , but not good on the road !

[yungatart]

Your write up and photos are awesome.
What a wonderful trip for your daughter...you and she have created memories together that time will never dim...she is a lucky little girl!

[scumdog]

Riding those Cardrona valley roads between Wanaka and Queenstown was fun but there was some very windy roads coming down to Arrow Junction. You just have to stop and have beer in old pub.

Ah, hate to break it to you but we ride on the left here in NZ - see first picture!

(And the ticket for crossing the yellow line is in the mail:nya::lol:)

[stify]

Ah, hate to break it to you but we ride on the left here in NZ - see first picture!

(And the ticket for crossing the yellow line is in the mail:nya::lol:)

opps.....................

[DIN PELENDA]

opps.....................

2'nd that, and officer the road was straight with no on coming traffic , that yellow line mast be mistakenly put there and I wont do it again promise .

[DIN PELENDA]

Absolutely awesome pictures. You two had so much fun and saw so much beauty. Thank you for sharing.
Did you get a call about the R1? Alan really wants it!!!! Posted to sunnies up too so you should get those either today or Monday.
I'll be up your way later this year so I'll give you a call and come meet the rest of the Pelenda family.

No to bad photos considering I only got cheep , old, small digital camera , I got some photos of all of us from the day we gone to swimming pools but not posting that, just got red fairings on R1 is looking Good , didn't have to worry about sunnies , o girl it will be really nice if you do come up hire , you more then welcome Karen my house is open for you and anyone else that we stay with like Malcolm (Jantar), Keith (Shrek), Dave (Daffyd) , R1 Madness I really apritiated... even you scum dog as long as I don't get that ticket. Because if you guys don't come up here, bugger I will have to come to see you again,... even you scumdog .

[nadroj]

Would you like a road map from Auckland to the Naki? You know you have beds here.....

[DIN PELENDA]

Would you like a road map from Auckland to the Naki? You know you have beds here.....
O nice one mate I love rides down forgotten highway , and I always take ST around Mt Taranaki and make to Wanganui or Ohakune. One day I'm going to take R1 for long ride and I my need bed .:niceone: Photo from last time going down in July with group of KB's.

[LBD]

That Photo with your daughter and sunset cloud is a corker...

[crazyhorse]

I bet your daughter had a ball, and the family survived the time apart. Looks like a great time

[_Shrek_]

great pic's & write up Din :niceone: