https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/19532-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ Kiwi Biker - New Zealand motorcycle community en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:36:53 GMT vBulletin 20 https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/BP-Brown/misc/rss.jpg https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/19532-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1318-Time-to-Drive-North-Island-continued-September-Oct Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:57:08 GMT Time to drive. The plan was to go straight up to Waiheke Island, meet my friend the vet specialist and spend a few days and then slowly wind my way south back to Wellington. I had listed both the ute and the V Strom for sale on trademe. I figured if one sold, I’d unlist the other and finish my... Time to drive. The plan was to go straight up to Waiheke Island, meet my friend the vet specialist and spend a few days and then slowly wind my way south back to Wellington. I had listed both the ute and the V Strom for sale on trademe. I figured if one sold, I’d unlist the other and finish my time in NZ with the remainder, secretly hoping to finish the trip as I started on the bike…..I couldn’t take both bike and ute…easily.

Now in the States, I’d consider even a short car road trip about 5 hours, and many have been as long as 18 hours (from Northern California to Colorado for example). I considered ‘ALL THE WAY TO AUCKLAND’ a long trip for some reason; in fact, not really a big trip at all… about 6-7 hour drive (?). Before I knew it I was in Taupo, my half way stopping point. I stopped for the night, loaded up on some groceries, wandered town for a bit and parked the ute somewhere I could crawl in the back and sleep which is what I did…just a stopover. It was kind of nice in a refreshing kind of way to be in a car again. No wind, stereo…just a leisurely drive. I was enjoying it.

I got up the next morning and hit the road. With more time than I anticipated, I took the scenic route through Matamata (Infamous for its role in LOTR hobbit town set?) and then over to the road running North just West of the Kaimai Range. I stopped at the Wairere Falls and considered a tramp up to the falls, but was discouraged by the boy racer cruising the lot and signs warning against theft. Really a damn tragedy in New Zealand all the petty theft. I’ve had a number of discussions regarding the safety in New Zealand. I think most travelers have the perception that New Zealand is an incredibly safe place. Many young backpackers travel alone, hitchhike, even young women. And it does seem that some violence against tourists makes the news once to twice a year according to people I’ve spoken to; and I agree that for a small country this does seem like a lot. But for my part, I felt very safe in NZ and never once had a sketchy experience apart from a few meals with Wendy and Pete…ha ha. But the threat of petty theft did feel real, and you feel it traveling with all your worldly belongings…..it definitely made me think twice about parking my ute or bike unattended for hours or days while off on a tramp or to check out a site….I did miss out on some of those experiences because I did not feel safe leaving my vehicle unattended. YES, with a bit more planning I’m sure I could have arranged to leave valuables or even vehicle with someone in a safe spot, but there were many times when my planning was spontaneous, or a weather window was short…and so yes, the threat of petty theft in New Zealand is a bit of a downer. Not like that shit doesn’t occur in other countries, certainly it does….but in a small country like NZ, with 2 million tourists a year, I think travelers are a target that stand out and the petty theft is indisputable….and sad for such a wonderful country.

Headed up the road and caught some morning views of the mist tumbling over the Kaimai range and onto the farm paddocks…..truly gorgeous morning. The kind of scene you don’t often get to appreciate unless you are traveling….and seeing…and just going without a real schedule. That was half the beauty of my trip right there. Maybe ‘vacation’ is sometimes more about the ‘time’ you have—to think, reflect and really SEE things normally overlooked.

Continued north from there and caught an afternoon ferry from Half Moon Bay to Waiheke Island…..rain on the way. Onto Waiheke, late, but in time for some dinner at my friend’s, who had been visiting with her old friends in her parents home overlooking the water near the ferry landing. Good food, good wine, nice folks. Then off to theDOC campground at Rocky Bay. I jumped into my tent in time for the heavy rain. It poured and blew like crazy all night. I tossed and turned thinking my little tent was sure to get blown away with me zipped up inside. But that storm brought on its coat tails early spring. For the next 3 weeks it was absolutely gorgeous….I thought, “Spring in New Zealand, WOW!, this is awesome”. That was before I got caught in snow between Taumauranui and Turangi, already soaked to the bone some month or so later….that story to come.

New Blog

The Republic of Waiheke. I saw the bumper sticker stating such. The place definitely had that feel to it. Locals who have both a strong sense of community and pride about the region they have chosen to live, and probably a lot of pot growing in the bush behind their house….like Taranaki, Whangomomona, Northland…and even many regions in the States. I awoke after a night of big rains and wind to a beautiful sunny day. The Tuis were active early. I had camped under those trees with yellow flowers that the Tuis seem to love; and they were active and noisy. One of the first things I noticed was that this awesome campground was virtually empty. While it is nice to visit and meet other travelers, to have campgrounds and backpackers dorm rooms all to yourself is also nice. While I understand that Spring in NZ often brings lots of rain, this was the start of a fabulous September, and I had the roads, campgrounds and backpackers all to myself….a not so bad time to be traveling in NZ. I noticed that as each week passed, especially on into October, there were more and more tourists, mostly European.

I met my vet friend for lunch and we talked about the profession and career opportunities from her perspective; her experiences. Part of my education. I did some local sight seeing and bumped around Oneroa. The next day I drove the roads out to the Eastern parts of the island and fished at Man O War Bay for a few hours. No snapper, but lots of Kahawhai, some good size. Kept one and cooked it on the BBQ back at the campground…a bottle of wine to improve its flavor. I had about 4 days on Waiheke and the weather was great. The next day I picked some mussels which I cooked on my little burner in my Salvation army cook pot for lunch back at Man O War bay and then drove out to Orapiu for some more fishing from the Wharf. I met 2 women there (partners) who also came out for some evening fishing; they were pretty lit when they arrived and still drinking. We talked a bit and they kind of adopted me from that point on, coaching me ad nauseum while I landed a nice size snapper. They took me back to their place, cooked up the snapper and we drank beers into the night…now while I very much appreciated their hospitality and did enjoy their company, it was a bit weird being literally tucked into the guest bed and then hearing from the kitchen, “its kind of nice having a man in the house”…..I thought I might wake tied down to the bed, a character in a Steven King novel….I cleared out first thing in the am after leaving a nice thank you note. Another unique experience….really unique.

I caught the ferry out that day and made my way down to Papakura where I had dinner with another vet specialist. I strongly recommend Dr. Ruth Youmans if your pet ever needs major surgery…she is an excellent person and a certified specialist in Surgery. Really nice meeting her and gaining some more perspective. After dinner, I drove south and parked and slept in the back of the ute near Ngaruawahia for the night. Checked email at the library the next day and then drove out to Raglan by way of the Waingaro hot pools…I made a point of stopping at every hot springs in my path in NZ.

Raglan was too quick a stop over. The surf too big for my beginner surf skills, and a bit too cold for me to want to go to the effort of renting and organizing myself. Raglan a cool little town, but a bit slow in the ‘off season’. I think I stayed 2 nights and then went back to Hamilton to meet with more vets; a group who incorporate some specialty medicine into their practice…wasn’t too impressed with their aggressively protective posture. Who knows, my first impressions are often wrong. ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1318-Time-to-Drive-North-Island-continued-September-Oct https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1202-Leaving-Wellington-Ute-trip Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:48:29 GMT Winter in Wanaka.
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As I have mentioned, I was given an opportunity to speak in Wanaka at a week long veterinary educational conference which meant a nearly all expense paid week in Wanaka including skiing.
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I gave 7.5 hours of lecture on various topics in veterinary neurology/neurosurgery. Quite a bit of work preparing the powerpoint lectures to do this, but worth it for sure. There were about 40 vets from NZ and Oz attending. It is an annual conference; a week to ski, eat and booze under the guise of continuing education. The lectures began at 7:30, ended at 9:30 so folks could go ski and then began again 5:30pm for another 2 hours. Surprisingly, attendance was very good, even early am. My flight was paid for so did not take the bike down, instead flew into Queenstown. It was a little unnerving to descend through heavy cloud cover with mountains all around. You could see the tops above the clouds all around, but had no idea where they went as the plane descended through the clouds…gulp. Accommodation was right on Lake Wanaka and was outstanding…
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better than the backpackers and campgrounds that I have been staying in as I travel for sure….I felt like a rockstar with a big suite all to myself. Although it had been a good snow season, by mid August they’d had 2-3 weeks of very warm weather which made for a lot of snow melt and some avalanche conditions. After finishing my lectures early in the week, I skied Treble Cone for 2.5 days, but about ½ the terrain was closed ½ of the time. This was my only skiing in NZ. I have skied since I was 5 yrs old and lived in Colorado for 9 years; this doesn’t make me an expert, but I have skied quite a bit. I was very impressed by the terrain at Treble Cone and imagine it would really be awesome with great snow. Although the terrain was limited, I very much enjoyed it. The days were crystal clear and warm; like Spring skiing in Colorado, with awesome views of Lake Wanaka from the mountain. I had been in Wanaka during my summer travels, but it was a magical place to view in Winter with snow on the surrounding peaks.
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The entire week was beautiful clear sunny warm days. Good weather, good food, excellent Pinot Noir and good people with new found friendships and an open invitation to visit, fish and hunt in Tasmania!! Sweeeeeet!!!

Winter in Wanaka reminds me of Colorado! Freakin’ beautiful. An awesome week.


Ute Roadtrip

Work now behind me and the Wanaka conference done, it was time to begin exploring the North Island. I moved out of my flat in Wellington, unwilling to pay rent just to have a place to store my stuff while I was traveling. My dilemma was my belongings. I’ll tell ya’, material belongings are nice, but accumulation of things a pain in the ass. There is definitely something to be said for the ‘KISS’ principle….’keep it simple stupid’….less can be better. One of the great things about traveling NZ by motorbike is the simplicity….you necessarily must simplify your life. I never really thought having so FEW belongings could be so gratifying. Suddenly, ready to hit the road again, I felt burdened by my accumulations….sounds like a lot, in fact it was still hardly anything, all of which I could move in a single trip with my ute…hardly anything at all really, but still too much to carry on a motorcycle. I listed a few things on Trademe to sell (largest of which was my futon) and gave the rest away to the Salvation army; and a few things Brazilian kid backpacking/woofffing. Good luck Pablo!!
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I wanted to take a reconnaiscense trip regarding vet specialty med. I needed to meet and speak with a few different vet specialists. The only one from the South Island with whom I needed to speak was going to be on Waiheke Island, so I set a North Island itinerary for a 2-3 week trip around meeting and speaking to various vet specialists and/or vets who had employed or might consider employing a vet specialist. I still had both the bike and the ute at that time and debated which I would take for the trip. Where would I store one while I was gone with the other? Where would I leave my ‘material accumulations’? What vehicle did I WANT to take? All things you have to think about when you are homeless. Truth be told, I had hardly driven my ute. Even in a relatively small city like Wellington, driving and finding parking was infinitely easier on the bike as compared to the ute…so the ute stayed parked most of the time…why I even had a ute is a good question, but another story in itself. Anyway, after 7-8 months of being on my bike almost daily, I was kind of sick of it, and just wanted the luxury of traveling by car where I could lock everything inside, have heat, not have to wear all the gear all the time, etc…and I threw my futon in the tray under tonneau cover, so could carry my bed with me!
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The bike, a few spare things and one large piece of luggage stuffed to the hilt I left in a shed on a friend’s farm in Upper Hutt. Off to Waiheke Island on a non-motorbike road trip! This was at the end of August 2009. ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1202-Leaving-Wellington-Ute-trip https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1088-Wellington-wrap-up-and-on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:20:29 GMT So, third attempt here at wrapping up my time in Wellington. Two times already I’ve finished my narrative and then lost the document. This time I will be smart about it and put it in a word document first, then cut and past to the site blog. I don’t really know where to begin now. I feel kind... So, third attempt here at wrapping up my time in Wellington. Two times already I’ve finished my narrative and then lost the document. This time I will be smart about it and put it in a word document first, then cut and past to the site blog.

I don’t really know where to begin now. I feel kind of like a drunk, retelling my story over and over…anyway, back in the States I’m a vet specialist which means that I spent an extra poorly paid 4 years after graduating from Vet school, in academia to get accredited as a specialist—my specialty is neurology and neurosurgery of companion animals. There are only 2 or so existing vet hospitals in NZ staffed with certified specialists which are exclusively specialty hospitals. There are no practicing neurology specialists. Specialists in specialty hospitals see patients by referral only, and this is how I have been working in the states for the past 14 years. I applied for positions at these hospitals, but for a variety of reasons, no go. My backup plan was to take a general practice job and that is how I landed in Wellington; a 6 month locum for a vet going on maternity leave. You might think, easy, he’s a specialist and now he will be doing the routine stuff. Well, truth is I’ve never been in practice doing the ‘routine’ stuff. I’ve done nearly 1000 neurosurgeries, mostly spinal surgeries, but have probably only done 4-5 spays in my career, and none in the last 14 years. So the first few spays I had to do were a bit scary….pulling an abdominal organ out through a small hole without causing life threatening bleeding….at least with spinal surgeries I can see what I’m doing. And then came the rabbits, rats and alopecic mice with itchy skin…….itchy skin, gloppy ears, vaccinations ad nauseum. Suffice to say, I’m glad I chose specialization. The experience was a good one overall though, for a number of reasons. Least of which was the work schedule, which was erratic, weekends, shifting hours…sometimes starting at 7:30 am, sometimes finishing 7 pm. It didn’t allow much time for social life and so I did not have much opportunity to meet new people. When weekends came, if I wasn’t working, or playing Saturday Soccer for an over 35 men’s team, then I was exploring the region (Wairarapa, Cape Pallisar, Kapiti coast, Makara). I had also arranged some lectures in vet neurology which took me on a few weekend trips---Rotorua, Auckland, Christchurch and finally a ski week in Wanaka. I also spent the long Easter weekend tramping in the Tararuas and another long weekend in Nelson at an Irish Music festival or sorts. I hit the Courtney place bar and club scene once……just once was enough. Another weekend took me to Napier and back via back roads with a group of Kiwibikers from the region. That was the only time I managed to get away for a weekend organized ride.

I lived in two places in Wellington, both with flatmate(s)---which was a first for me since I was 27—apart from living with partners. The first place was perpetually cold and damp, and just as winter was getting really cold, I moved into a place with central gas heat---well the flatmate on the lease programmed the central heating incorrectly and heated the place to 18 degrees each day all day while we were all out working----$750 power bill. So much for the central heat, it was off virtually all the time for the remainder of my stay there…at least it was dry though.

2 weeks after I finished work I delivered 8 hours of lecture in Wanaka at a week long veterinary conference. 5 days after that I took the ute up to Waiheke island and then made a slow drive South over about 2 weeks visiting Waiheke, Hamilton, Raglan, Tauranga, Whakatane and a drive around the Coast of the East Cape to Gisborne, Napier, Palm North and then back to Wellington; actually upper hutt where I was staying with a friend…room and board free in exchange for some work around her blueberry farm…did that for a week while I was trying to sell some items on Trademe…one of which was my ute. I dropped the Ute off in Auckland yesterday, got on a flight back to Wellington this morning, picked up the V Strom and said goodbye to Wellington….here I now sit and type in New Plymouth, where I’ll spend a few days. I have about a month to see some of the bits I have yet to see, Northland in particular. So October will be a month of touring on the bike; ending my New Zealand adventure as I started. My residency application is pending. I have a return flight to the States that I will lose if I don’t use. I fly out of Auckland on Nov 7 and will spend holidays with family. I’ve lined up a bit of work already, and I will spend a lot of time contemplating how I can make it professionally here in NZ working for myself. Maybe working hard for at least half a year in the States, and then months of the year back here in NZ enjoying this beautiful country…that sounds like a plan….we’ll see. ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1088-Wellington-wrap-up-and-on https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/554-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:43:30 GMT Eager to get to the West coast I watched the weather while spending a few days in ChCh. When it looked like the winds were changing and the West clearing I picked a day to go, but had a day to kill. I decided on an overnight trip up to Kaikoura. The ride up was sweltering, record temps recorded... Eager to get to the West coast I watched the weather while spending a few days in ChCh. When it looked like the winds were changing and the West clearing I picked a day to go, but had a day to kill. I decided on an overnight trip up to Kaikoura. The ride up was sweltering, record temps recorded in Canterbury. I drove to the mouth of the Hurunui R. because it was known for Salmon and trout fishing. I almost spent the night there, but some folks camping there knew nothing of Salmon, so decided to head back out. Kaikoura, although beautiful is a tourist trap and therefore a big disappoint for me. It is known for its beauty because the snow capped mountains kiss the sea along the Eastern coast here. The sea depths drop off quickly here and there is an abundance of sea mammals which also make for a good tour industry.....”whale watching, dive with dolphins, diving, seal tours, etc.”. So the natural beauty, the sea mammals and the crayfish (lobster) make it quite the tourist destination....and so it was. Everything overpriced, the accommodations full, a tent site for $32! Traffic, and tourists everywhere.....swimming with dolphins twice the cost in Akaroa. Kaikoura, another destination on the tourist trail. It felt like some grand kiwi is herding tourists with limited time along this trail, seeing the most famous sites in NZ.....”OK, now you’ll all stop here, fill the hotels and campgrounds, swim with the dolphins, pay too much for the seafood, say hello to the whales and seals....you have 1.5 days....GO! and then they’re off again to the next stop on the tourist trail. The place did not have a good feel to me. I did not want to compete with the Japanese and the Europeans as to who could pay the most for a tent site or dolphin tour.....it was beautiful, reminiscent of Monterey Bay, but it didn’t feel like NZ, and that is what I am really looking for. Funny, when I first came over on the ferry, I camped at the DOC campground in Pelorus. I met a chatty kid there interested in my motorbike. He was from Kaikoura, and his family came to this campground every Christmas for a week. At the time, I’d read about Kaikoura and thought, why do they leave Kaikoura for a holiday, its supposed to be so beautiful there?.....now I understand. Had a beautiful sunset from the campground 6 KM out of town....$12 instead of $32!
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That was 2 days ago. I had ridden to Kaikoura up Hwy 1. I rode back by the inland road, a bit out of the way, but far fewer cars, more rural, more beauty.....I felt a sense of relief leaving and traveling back to ChCh by a road less traveled. I stopped and fished and napped on the Hurunui R. for a few hours: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...ictureid=14470
before getting on to ChCh where I spent the night at a few English Pubs with Kenny and Margarita and some mates of Kenny, then slept at their house.....Thanks again guys! Noodle makes me miss my dog Murphy. The next day I awoke to clouds and some rain from the West. Hit the road, despite the soft rain and clouds, Arthur’s pass is beautiful, alpine.
View from Bealey Hotel, just E. of Arthurs Pass: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...ictureid=14466
Amazing that nearly as soon as you hit the summit and start down to the West the landscape changes. On this day, the clouds gave way to blue sky and sunshine, and the barren hillsides on the East side of the pass became lush green growth on the West side, with waterfalls here and there....Pretty cool.
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Short of the pass, I stopped for brunch at Bealey Hotel. where i noticed a handwritten sign....”Kumara race day, Yeeha!” Once a year rural horse races at Kumara....betting, drinking, lots of locals, very few tourists....in contrast to Kaikoura, this sounded perfect, and off I went.....and a great day it was. Worth the people watching in and of itself. Live music,
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10 races,
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and loads of people having loads of fun on a beautiful sunny day.
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I took quite a few photos, they tell the tale. I made 5 bets on 3 horses in 3 different races.....I picked the horses purely based on their names: ‘Born in the States’, ‘McDreamy’, and ‘PeterPorter’. Each horse ran second in each race and I won 3 place bets....enough to pay for my food and drink for the whole day.....the karma continues to roll. The environment was great, no gate fee, no parking fees, reasonable prices for food and drink....nothing to make you feel like someone was trying to make money from you, just provide the tools for a fun day. People of all ages, families with picnic blankets or tents, women gowned up as it attending the Kentucky Derby. I tented on the grounds for the night, then left the next morning......Good day....no more Kaikouras for me until the off season. I’ll take a day at the local races any time.
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I'm out of time: See the rest of the pics here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...p?albumid=1353 ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/554-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/552-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:44:25 GMT First, some consistencies I am finding in New Zealand: The people. Friendly with a spirit for adventure. If not including me in the things they like to do (be that watersports, fishing or enjoying a scenic motorbike ride), they seem to be wishing they were coming along with me when I mount the... First, some consistencies I am finding in New Zealand: The people. Friendly with a spirit for adventure. If not including me in the things they like to do (be that watersports, fishing or enjoying a scenic motorbike ride), they seem to be wishing they were coming along with me when I mount the fully packed bike again. The Chai tea. As you may know or have heard, Kiwis seem to hold fond appreciation for a nice cafe and coffee; they are both readily available in even the smallest stops (so far in my travels). I am not a coffee drinker, but occasionally treat myself to a chai latte----consistently good, much better than anywhere I used to get them in the States. The public bathrooms. First, it is very nice for a traveler like me to pull into a small town and have an easy to find public 'rest room' available. There seems to be very helpful information centers and public toilets in close proximity to each other, again, in even the tiniest little places towns.....a cafe, an info center, a dairy (local small grocery) and a public toilet.....but what amazes me is the cleanliness of the bathrooms in this country. IN the states, the public toilets (if you can find them) can be a terrifying experience....usually you are trying to poach some time on the throne of petrol station toilet....and they can be downright disgusting. In NZ, this goes for the cafe/restaurant/bar/campground toilets as well.....immaculately kept...and almost always with a sign posted suggesting that the toilets are cleaned regularly, but if you find them not so tidy, please alert staff or management.....nice. OK, some simple observations recorded, now on with the story.
I am having trouble embedding photos, but am still working on it, now with some help, but I think the story is more enjoyable with pictures to reference so I'll stick with links for now. The drive on the Rainbow road was particularly nice for me....remote, very few people, new and different scenery, nice trout river....
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some pics with the bike...this is a motorbike enthusiast site. This site was still in the northern to mid section of the road, it was a slight narrowing section of the river. I peaked down about 3 meters to the water, and there was this huge brown trout feeding in a small eddy. I was tempted to pull the rod out and throw a fly, but decided just to keep going.
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I stayed one night in Hanmer springs at the over capacity Pines campground next to 2 couples from the UK touring the South island on tandem push bikes. An adventurous way to go, and quite an achievment (sp?), but kind of limiting in terms of time and the ability to be spontaneous in terms of your route or plans....I think the motorbike offers more options although not as good for the heart. Hanmer springs is a natural hot springs set in a kind of Alpine little town that reminded me a lot of Colorado in many ways. It used to be an alcohol rehab center, a slow and sleepy town. Now the pools are more commercial and the town a tourist destination...and it was full. On the morning I was leaving, I got a hold of a vet in Christchurch who I had previously contacted about a possible locum (short term) position in his vet clinic. We learned through emails that we are both avid fly fishers and he invited me to a family BBQ on his brothers farm and some salmon fishing, then to his mountain 'batch' (vacation cabin/house) for some Canterbury high country fishing. He and his brother (both now in their 60s) grew up fishing on a farm near the mouth of the Rakaia River, and his brother owns and works a large farm in the same vicinity.
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I was treated to a really nice meal with 3 generations of family from each side out on the lawn in the shade of some beautiful trees. The old farmhouse pictured above was 130 years old and a part of the local history. It used to be the largest house in the area and housed many of the workers on the farm in the late 1800s. They no longer lived in that house, but the interior wood trim was amazing.
That evening, Selwyn, Trevor and I went down to the mouth of the Rakaia for some salmon fishing....me and 2 60 something Kiwi farm brothers throwing flies at the mouth of the Rakaia for salmon and/or sea run brown trout....unfortunately no fish, the river was really dirty from the recent rains in the high country.
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I stayed the night as a guest on the farm and then followed Trevor and his wife Lorraine back to ChCh where we packed up and then took off for the high country. His batch is near Coleridge Lake, an amazing turquoise color large lake. The lake is in the Rakaia valley with views of the Southern alps.
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The upper Rakaia was still blown out from runoff, so we fished some of the local small lakes into the night. At 10 pm in the pouring rain, after only one fish (caught by Trevor), we quit for the day. We spent 3 days fishing the smaller lakes, battling the winds most of the time. On the last day my NZ fishing curse was broken. The sun was out the wind was smaller and I caught 4 beautiful rainbow trout, the last being about 4 lbs, the largest I've ever caught.
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the big one: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...ictureid=14161

We noticed this dragonfly in the grass as we were eating lunch one day.
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he/she/it was alive, was not moving with much vigor.
Thanks to Dr. Trevor and Lorraine for incredible hospitality...again. I really enjoyed Trevor's little slice of heaven. Someday I'll have something like that batch in a beautiful playground such as that...one of my lifelong dreams. And the fishing curse has been lifted!
While in Christchurch, where I have been for a few days, I have been walking the town including the beautiful botanical gardens, and making some veterinary connections and learning the local veterinary politics. My trip in NZ is first and foremost a holiday and an adventure, but also a reconnaiscence (sp?) business trip of sorts. I am a veterinary specialist trying to get a feel for the market for such a thing in NZ. I have learned that there are very few, incredibly few, vet specialists in all of NZ and only one in ChCh who i met yesterday. She invited me to be part of a brain surgery on a dog in a few weeks, so I may partake in that. Anyway, that is what I have been doing for the last 2 days; learning the veterinary lay of the land so to speak.
I have met another KBer though and his partner, who also happens to be a vet. He took me out to Akaroa yesterday. It was beautiful, but hot. We did about 200 km, winding around the hills and valleys on sealed and gravel. We stopped for some breakfast at the 'Hilltop', for a walk around Akaroa, and then a cool drink in Little River (I think). We were out for about 6 hrs all together. Afterward I went for a run in the park near the gardens for a few miles. I haven't been sleeping well lately, so wanted to be really tired...didn't work, too hot for sleeping last night.

Photos from the day trip to Akaroa.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...ictureid=14322
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...ictureid=14327

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...ictureid=14325

Tomorrow looks like rain, then 4-5 days predicted sun on the West Coast. Today up to Kaikoura for the night and some sights, then back to ChCh for friday night, then off to the west for some fishing and camping/tramping on Saturday....sounds like a plan! ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/552-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/551-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:13:17 GMT [/IMG]http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/album.php?albumid=1353&pictureid=14176 trying again with pictures....test. Can't do the image thing, and am sufficiently pissed off now and out of computer battery...]]> [IMG][/IMG]http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/al...ictureid=14176

trying again with pictures....test. Can't do the image thing, and am sufficiently pissed off now and out of computer battery that I don't feel like writing. Wish this was easier.



]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/551-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/545-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:26:00 GMT Time flies.....I’ll just pick up from the present and look back over the last few days for the highlights. I’m sitting here on my yellow waterproof bag because the grass is already dewey. Its about 9:30 pm and the sun is finally setting. I lose track of the time because of the long days. I... Time flies.....I’ll just pick up from the present and look back over the last few days for the highlights.
I’m sitting here on my yellow waterproof bag because the grass is already dewey. Its about 9:30 pm and the sun is finally setting. I lose track of the time because of the long days. I find myself doing stuff until late...then the shops are closed...Oyy! Its not that summers aren’t long in the US, but its Winter! I am in a hippie camp in Takaka, Golden Bay. The rap around here is free living, kind of hippie-dom, and it seems true to that. Beautiful beaches, the greenest green pastures contrasting the blue-est skies and water....at high tide. The tides are extreme because the bay is shallow, and therefore mud flats when the tide is out. I’ve ridden up to the top and then over to the west coast for a peek. All narrow gravel roads, tight blind corners...as one local said, the roads are OK, “the users make it dangerous” , and this time of year there are loads of holiday travelers about. All the motels and backpackers and campgrounds are full; mostly with NZers on holiday, but an abundance of international travelers as well; mostly European and mostly young. A local to Golden bay says yes, the European women travelers are a summer bonus around here, 75% of which are single or dont seem to remember their boyfriends back home, according to James. My first peek of the west coast was beautiful. Limestone cliffs and formations, green paddocks, and still rural---sheep and cows. In short order I’ve learned NZ seems first and foremost a rural agricultural country.....all the space in between is farms....and there is a lot of in between. So, I’m camped tonight practically under a bridge over the Takaka river. Its a free camping area, one night only, and it too is almost full with camper vans filled with young hippies doing god knows what here....maybe for the New Years festival outside of town?...a 3 days music gig sounding something like a Woodstock type scene...camping, music, revelry....drugs? Anyway, near guarantee I am the oldest one camping here tonight. Takeaway fish and chips for dinner, and some Victoria Bitter, which I haven’t had since Queensland Australia over 20 years ago. I fished today all day on some of the upper reaches of the Takaka river. I was on private access water (I think). Beautiful clear river with some awesome stretches and holes that definitely should have had fish....but I saw nothing and did not even get a bump...hmmm. I know in fished it well, and used some very generic tried and true flies. As said, I didn’t even see a fish and I was in the water all day...nothing even spooked. Did see a large fresh water eel...that’s a first
Checked my spam Google email and found I had missed some messages from Roy the Nelson Wine tour guide, still on for fishing Tuesday, but messages 2 days old...called him, he has to work...gave me some tips and said, maybe next time mate....its all good. Yesterday I left Collingwood early and drove north. I stopped at a pullof at an awesome stretch of beach at high tide at about 11 am. The sign said private, no camping, so I felt obligated to stop and go to the nearest house and ask permission to park and sit on the beach. I drove up to the house and knocked on a few doors, but no answer. then a car pulled up, and a younger fella got out carrying a long screwdriver and looking like he might stab me. He asked what I wanted..”do you live here?” I asked..” whats it to you” he said. Not the NZ friendliness I had heard of. I told him I just wanted to ask permission to access the beach from his property. He asked if I was named Raleigh....a trouble making American the law was after.......he had a skeptical look and then said it was OK to use the beach after I told him I wasn’t the infamous Raleigh, also from California. Damn, that was not a very friendly encounter....but after about 30 minutes on the beach, along he comes with 2 ginger beers in his hand. Sorry mate, want a ginger beer, didn’t mean the misunderstanding back there.....what evolved was me wake boarding with James (29 yr old local, 3 rd generation farmers) for most of the rest of the day, and an invitation to fish and have a few beers after I was back from the west coast. After wake boarding for a couple of hours we had lunch at the Schoolhouse Cafe, actually the school James’ Dad went to when he was a kid. Turns out James’ family owns quite a bit of land right there in that area...papakura? Shit, could be resorts and condos some day. Hate to see that happen in this beautiful place, but seems inevitable. The campgrounds are full summer after summer, someday a developer will come along and a farmer will trade his heritage for cash. Don’t let it happen NZ!
I stayed in Collingwood one night at the campground. Met a couple from Wanganui; Sam and Roni. Sam was about 60, don’t know about Roni who was Maori. They seemed a very compatible couple, had driven over on their Suzuki Bandit 1250 packed to the hilt with all their camping gear (and as many beer bottles as Roni could stuff in, as she said); pretty adventuresome couple. He was a trucker in NZ and Australia, she has her own greeting card business, and together they own about 7 properties they rent. They love to live life doing stuff, they fish and travel and camp; he used to run a fishing charter. Had a few beers with them at the local bar and played some pool. They invited me Marlin fishing with them in March up North of Auckland....awesome, if I can get off of work for it. Sam was pissed by the end of the night, but still very insightful and seemed to have a lot of simple wisdom. As pissed as he was, he listened carefully to everything I was saying.....overall, seemed to have a good read on life for a simple man.
The 2 days before my drive up to Golden Bay (the 26 and 27th), I had driven up the Motueka Valley, which is another beautiful valley filled with fruit, hops and vineyard. I fished a tributary river of the Motueka called the Baton, about 15 Km up a dirt/gravel road. It was a relatively small river and I saw some big beautiful Brown trout, but had no luck catching. The sandflies ate me alive, in spite of the repellent I had (no DEET!). After fishing, I drove out to a Recreation area along the Motueka, south of the Woodstock bridge and camped there for the night after another hour of fishing. I had about half a bottle of Pinot Noir leftover from Christmas, and in spite of having been opened and sitting in my pannier in the sun, it was still delicious----Rumi (I think) vineyard, Motueka valley. I think it was bread and sardines for dinner. Fished again the next morning....nothing, but saw a huge one...getting closer to understanding these fish and these waters..won’t be long before I have it figured out....maybe I’m just impatient. In any event, it was a beautiful sunny day and I found a nice private deep swimming hole to shed clothes and take a swim, then bake on the rocks for a bit. From there, it was up to Collingwood for the night as above.

After my night in Collingwood and day with James including a jaunt on gravel over to the West coast for a peek, I spent a night in Takaka at the River Inn--camped on the paddock. Next day fished the Takaka river, the free camped at the hippie camp.

I woke up this am in the hippie camp, seems like ages ago, ready to leave Golden Bay...but after a quick tourist stop at Pu Pu Springs, the largest natural springs in Australasia. Pretty cool sight, a whole river just pushing up out of the ground; the clearest water I have ever seen in an area experiencing come back and regrowth after extensive Gold mining in the very early 1900s (sluice mining).
Hit the road. Drove down to Murchison where I got some lunch, and some internet time. Also contacted Hinny to learn that I could probably catch his group in ChCh for New Years. So I back tracked to St. Arnaud and got on a gravel road called the Rainbow road. It goes from just outside of St. Arnaud south to Hanmer Springs; about 112 Km with maybe 6-8 wet fords, one deep one. Again, very happy with the bike. Some of the road had real loose rocks, not even gravel, and the one ford was kind of deep, so it was sketchy at times, but by 50 km into the ride, I found myself cruising along at a good speed....like anything else, you just kind of have to let go, and keep looking far down the road. It was an awesome drive through this valley, taking me up pretty high at times, above tree line, and traversing parts of the Molesworth Station; the largest cattle station in NZ. Im camped here on the bank of the Clarence River, just North of Hanmer springs. No one around, the wind blowing pretty good. A more barren, but nonetheless beautiful spot, and decided to save some $$ on accommodation again. Will fish this river for a few hours in the morning, then hit some of the hot springs in the morning for a soak, then try to catch up with Hinny’s group near ChCh. Battery on the computer almost out.....caught up, just need to add some pictures. later.....

New Years Eve! Its never been a big occasion for me. yesterday was a great day; loved the remoteness of the gravel Rainbow road and my private little campsite right along the Clarence river. Big fish teasing me again this am. The holes that should have fish but I can’t see any yield nothing to my flies, although I am ill equipped in terms of fly selections. Then I walk skeptically up to a new hole, right to the edge and peek in, and sure enough I see at least one fish...and spook it at the same time. I’m starting to believe as I’ve been told, that the rivers here in the south hold big fish, but few of them...thus the sight fishing. I have also learned that the bike can easily manage the gravel and reasonable fords, and I like exploring off the beaten path....the Hema book says this road was for most experienced gravel navigators and “definitely a road less traveled” I will be looking for more of those with rivers along side. What beautiful unspoiled country side...with a bunch of untested trout! AWESOME. I came down into Hanmer Springs this am. I can’t believe the number of outdoor enthusiasts this county holds. Every car and camper has kayaks or bikes strapped to them. I see numerous long haul push bikers on the roads, and many even in unlikely places like the Rainbow road. Sweet! Had some breakfast in town and then to the hot springs. Very nice, but built up a bit. Pools and little ponds of varying temps. I sat back in a 36 degree pool and started to laugh, thinking about people I know back home......Life is Good! I spent about 2 hours there, now typing in a pub, having a beer and recharging computer and iPod so I can have tunes on the road again. I think I’d like to stay in this little town for New Years; it has a Colorado ski town feel to it. We’ll see what Hinny and his group are up to. I’d like to be around some people tonight. I love the time by myself, but sometimes feeling more social

Pics here (will learn to embed later!): http://www.yourvet.org/Site/Photos.html ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/545-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/543-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:17:12 GMT I don’t even really know where to begin. Its been a pretty amazing few days. The most unbelievable yet simple circumstances have unfolded for me in the last 2-3 days. Up to now I have been torn between trying to have ‘a plan’ and just letting go and seeing what comes...my mantra now.....'Stop planning your life, just live'...I rolled into Wellington, greeted by Kari. I was welcomed, fed and given a place to sleep as if I was family. She went out of her way to help me including taxi-ing me around Wellington to get my tasks done....which I did. Without her help I probably would not have achieved what I wanted to.
I then met with my veterinary employer and the hospital manager (and my soon to be new flatmate) and got a look at the clinic I will be working at....it may be a very different experience than I am used to, but I am looking forward to it. The vet clinic I worked at in the states was huge with all the latest equipment, large surgical suites, CT scan, digital radiography, large staff of highly trained vet nurses and readily available MRI--it was a referral specialty clinic with 24 hour emergency and general practice all rolled into one. My new clinic is a much smaller more traditional vet practice; not unexpected by me...but seeing is believing. The staff and vets there were very friendly, and I am really looking forward to the change that is coming for me professionally. I'm hoping for a more relaxed and collegial atmosphere. And bonus, my new flatmate seems super nice with a pleasant and warm welcoming smile and a good sense of humor. Double bonus, our interests outside of work seem to be in sync--she is a soccer player and the recreational league starts in Feb when I get there.... and she has a good friend who sounds like an active adrenaline junky..."I think you two might get along" was the message I got--welcome to Wellington!
Her really nice little flat is in a perfect location to commute from in this lush quiet suburb---near to work, near to downtown Wellington....the moral of the story....9 years in California and not once did I feel part of a community there outside of work. Less than 48 hrs in Wellington and I know I am there...part of the community. If that isn’t enough, Sue and I dash off to immigration to submit my work permit and then I’m off to catch the 3 pm Bluebridge ferry, the bike re-loaded with more things left behind for the trip south. My 3 PM ferry in fact turned out to be a 3 AM ferry, for which I am now 11 hours overdue. :doh: The smiling redhead elf at the Bluebridge counter says no problem, performs her magic and in a matter of 10 minutes has me on a competing company’s 6:15 ferry....at a cost of $17 to their company.....completely unheard of in the States or anywhere else for that matter in my experience. Merry Christmas she says with a big smile...is this a dream?....I was nearly brought to tears.
Now I have 2 hours to kill before the 6:15 Interislander departure. So I search the streets of Wellington for a New World market, buy some food for the ferry and a small bouquet of roses for my Bluebridge elf/angel. Then to a local bar for a beer. A group of six (3 men and 3 women) came in and sat at a table near the bar. After one beer, one of the guys walks over an says the others have bet $10 he can’t beat me arm wrestling....the guy is buzzed and obviously (it seems to me) the macho type, appearing to be trying to impress prettiest girl of the three. I say what the hell and we have a good go, nearly toppling a table in a drawn out match.....the ending with me sitting with them all talking and laughing and shouting me two more beers.The team leader of their group (they are all employees at an ad agency) was from the UK but in NZ for 16 years now. Telling me about how great it is living in NZ, and by the way, we’ll have to introduce you to Natalie, she owns a vet clinic on such and such street.....karma? or NZ? more instant community. Again, is this a dream?
The ferry ride was gorgeous. Not always the case I understand, but that day a beautiful day. Chatted with two other bikers, both with new bikes. James from AKL with a Kawi 1600 cc cruiser and another bloke from Blenheim with a Suzuki GSXr 1250 something or other, boots, helmet and jacket to match--he said he made the young Suzuki salesman's day....both super nice fellas, neither of whom had ridden in like 15 years. It was near dark by the time we unloaded at about 9:30pm in Picton and I headed due West on the Queen Charlotte drive, finally pulling into the Pelorus Bridge campsite at about 11 or so. Put up my tent, went to sleep, up at 7:30 the next day and out after paying for campsite ($10) and buying a fishing license.
This is where you need to pay attention again because that NZ karma comes back into play. I have been anxious for days about where I will be for Christmas...maybe feeling lonely and away from family, not 100% sure why I've been anxious, but it has been a little unsettling..."what will I do for Christmas? Where will I go? Who will I be with?". Finally I decided on Nelson, reputed to be a very liveable, fun, active place...on the bigger side for the south Island. Maybe I could find some fun there. Didn’t want to camp and didn’t want to do a back packers, I drove about aimlessly just looking for some signs, maybe a Bed and Breakfast. Stopped at the first, no vacancy at a rate of about $120 per night. Stopped at the second, $150 per night and would only book for 2 nights...third, about the same........called the 4th....."$65 per night, stay one or two, its up to you".....nice little well kept clean B&B with community bath and shower, internet, breakfast....perfect. I thought I would come to Nelson frankly because I didnt want to be camping alone some where for Christmas, but I didn’t really know what to do with myself either now that I was here. Checked in at about 10:30 and mucked around for about 2 hours.....then decided I’d go out, get some flys and fishing info and maybe find some wineries. You have to realize this place is another adventure capital....kind of .....so many things to do, you feel compelled to try them all which also makes it hard to decide which to choose.....overwhelmed with choices. So I went to town looking for the fishing store.....asked some kid on a scooter who began to explain, then said...follow me and rode off and took me right to the store....Thanks pal......no worries mate. Salesman at the store gave me a good chat, 11 all around flies, a small box and a warm feeling....like there was a fisherman’s connection, not just a sale...NO bullshit. More good karma? Then I decided to explore the wineries in this region. Hesitant to do it on wet roads (on and off rain all day) and with the very strict drinking/driving laws in this country, but thought I’d stick to just 2-3 wineries, take my time and just take small tastes. Wandered around, not really having a map to guide me just some general direction...just looking for wineries or signs to them. I found the first, a big winery and cafe. Had some tastes, bought a bottle. Big place, kind of commercial, but nice girl pouring. Then off to another place, also big, but empty. Then a third....and voila...small tasting room, served up some bread and home grown and made olive oil...and a local tour group there. The tour guide and the owner seemed to take more interest in me and my bike than the group. The tour guide, Roy, gave me a local winery map, some tips as to the best wines. I had been chatting with the woman pouring the wine and when I told her I was a fly fisher she said, “oh, Roy (the tour guide) is a fly fisherman too".....next you know, I have his card and an invitation to fish with him...just call, we’ll get on the river together. Karma?....NZ? In an instant my plans for the next few days have materialized. I knew the South Island was renowned for the trout fishing, but didn't even know there was some good fishing locally around Nelson. Turns out, the average size brown trout in these waters is about 3 lbs.....on up to 10-12 lbs! The biggest trout I've ever caught in the States out of a river is about 2 lbs!

What really amazes me is this. I do have some notion of what I personally want from this trip, but I’m just trying to keep it nothing more than a notion, only vaguely defined at best. Trying hard not to create an itinerary more than a day or two in advance. Trying hard not to create expectations for this trip......and when I seem most lost in terms of what I should do next, things come together....with such uncanny serendipity that it is downright scary...I know Kiwis are reputed to be some of the friendliest people on this earth and in just short of 3 weeks, I can attest to that wholeheartedly....but there is something else going on. I am a stranger in a new place....and if I stay open to it all, with honesty, sincerity and curiosity... and as little to no fear as possible...I am confident the adventure will continue to grow and continue to be enriching and enlightening.

....back to the B& B, I spend 45 minutes on the porch talking to a Japanese fella traveling and working in NZ to improve his English...not a life changing encounter, but eye opening for sure. Now what? its Christmas eve, and I’m hungry...walk downtown, drawn to pizza and chinese (memories past--it seems our family was always doing some last minute shopping, tree decorating or gift wrapping on Christmas eve, so we often just ordered take-away for dinnner:clap:) I settle for very cheap Chinese...'full' is what I’m after, not paying for small portion good taste. Mission accomplished for $7. Hmm, Christmas eve, a $7 chinese take away dinner, now what am I going to do, wander the streets of Nelson alone? So I wandered up to the top of Trafalgar St...cool area. The main drag just kind of dead ends at the base of this hill, with steps up to the large cathedral overlooking the town. Its quite a trendy location with brick paved streets and a little square with top end bars and restaurants...and this is the happening place....lots of people out on Christmas eve....and now more and more...and families...hmmm...people are gathering here....again, I’ve arrived without knowing it. Soon the whole square is filled with people, and they are stacked on the steps and hills up to the cathedral, very many in santa hats, most holding candles, a town band assembles and begins to play, a local international choir singing international Christmas hymns begins, and then an array of traditional hymns to which the whole square is singing along.......nothing short of AMAZING....100s of people gathered at the edge of the quaintest part of town at the base of these steps leading up to huge cathedral....so pissed (angry/frustrated...not drunk) that I did not bring my camera with me; I thought I was just going for a bite to eat. The event was about 8:15 to 9:30, sun setting about 9:10, shortly preceded by a rainbow in the sky above the band after gray and rain all day:sunny:. And when dark, people everywhere holding candles and singing Christmas carols. The sense of joy and community in the place was amazing, and so refreshing to me that I really can't explain it. Amazing. One of the best Christmas eves I've ever experienced.
Its hard to imagine what I’m feeling, like I’ve been let out of prison.... back into the real world.
And in the hour I have been sitting here on the front porch of this B&B typing this all up, on Christmas eve, I have heard passersby and or/neighbors speaking....Italian, Spanish, German and English....in one hour on Christmas eve on a quiet neighborhood street in Nelson, NZ. This place is pretty awesome. Merry Christmas!
More pics here: http://gallery.me.com/neurosurgdvm#100039 ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/543-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/541-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:41:23 GMT OK, I think this is going to work better than the thread; thanks to Klingon and Nasty for the suggestions.

So I spent the night up in Fletcher Bay DOC campsite (14 or so December)and did some hiking from there as you've seen and heard. The next day I rode south again back to Coromandel town, but not before some looking around the Tibetan Buddhist Meditation center just outside of Colville, and a stop at the Colville Cafe for some tea and.......a delicious piece of cheesecake for breakfast. The lady at the counter laughed when I asked if I could eat cheesecake for breakfast in NZ. I normally don't have much of a sweet tooth, but after 4 straight meals of smoked fish, bread and apples, I needed something vastly different. The ride back to Coromandel town was faster and more relaxing. Learning the feel of the bike on hardpack or loose gravel and no cars coming at me on a Monday morning made things easier. I stopped at Blackbird's to pick up my luggage and was then on my way. One of my objectives for early in my trip was to find a beach and just do nothing....well, no thinking. I didn't want to think about home, my life, my family, or plans for the upcoming trip...nothing. I just wanted to tramp and surf; physically wear myself out, lie on the beach and not think. I took State highway 25 East to the coast and followed it south until I hit Whangamata. I stayed there 4 nights, the last 3 at the DOC campground called Wentworth Valley. This is about 5 km down gravel from Hwy 25 at the south end of town. Very peaceful and quiet spot tucked back into the bush. It used to be the kind of operational center and residences for the people working the gold mines in the hills. I have only surfed one time before, and that was only a 1 hour lesson, so I am not a surfer, but I wanted to try it again, and more, I just wanted to exhaust myself. So I spent a day and a half surfing this beach.
http://gallery.me.com/neurosurgdvm#1...&bgcolor=black

Having trouble embedding full photos or thumbnails. Will continue to work on it, but right now I'm becoming impatient! Pain in the ass! Any advice as to how to embed pics in a blog? Lets try something else.


nope, not having it.....damn

Anyway, the link above will not only take you to the picture I want to show, but to others from the beach at Whangamata if you'd like to see others. I'll continue to work on trying to embed them along the way.

I spent the rest of the time hiking (tramping) around the campground. I went up to see Wentworth falls. http://gallery.me.com/neurosurgdvm#1...or=black&sel=0

And on another day I went up and left the trail and followed and old grade, which apparently used to be a rail grade for ore carts. Anyway, it was bushwacking for sure, especially in parts where the grade was completely washed away. But I came across old ore cart wheels and some rusted rail parts. Eventually I came to an old gold mine high up on a small stream...pretty cool. I didnt' go to far in for a number of reasons, primarily because it would not illuminate well with my halogen headlamp and because of the large bugs jumping off of the wall...not too keen on spiders and other large bugs.
http://gallery.me.com/neurosurgdvm#100027

It started to look like rain the next day or so, and I had gotten my beach fix. I also wanted to thank Kickingzebra (Hamilton) for his help checking out my bike; a sort of pre-purchase exam. I also started to realize that if I wanted to get to the south island before Christmas, I'd better get move one. So I decided to leave the coast, swing back through Hamilton, and then head straight for Wellington, some errands I had to do there, and then the ferry. I packed up my camp and headed south on 25, then turned West at Waihi, through Paeroa, south again to Te Aroha where I stopped at a roadside Indian Take away place and had some lunch, then Southwest through Morrinsville to Hamilton where I met kickingzebra, his wife and their two daughters for dinner at the Lone Star. Downtown Hamilton was pretty happening on Friday night. As early as 5 ish, all the bars were full. If any outdoor seating was to be had, it was had. Had a nice dinner and very much enjoyed the company; kickingzebra seems to me to have it together, so if you need some carpentry work, give him a call. Back on the road after dinner, and on down to Te Kuiti where I stopped for the night. Had some trouble finding the backpackers I was looking for, and when I found it it was dark, no office visible to me. I found some guys talking out on the porch and they told me there was a spare bed in their dorm room. Its been a long time since I stayed in a dorm hostel; when I traveled Australia and much of Asia with a backpack 20 odd years ago I stayed in them frequently because I had no money.....now, it just seems like the right thing to do----I don't much like shelling out lots of money just for a bed, and arriving late at night, leaving early in the morning.....anyway, so I end up in this room with 2 rasta-looking, dredlock wearing, german speaking kids (who would not talk to me) and another guy sleeping on the bunk below me who snored all night long.....needless to say I probably won't be spending too much more time in dorm situations...I'd rather be in my tent. So got up early, paid my $25 and was on my way again. Went down to Palmerston North down Hwy 4 through Wanganui. Just outside of Wanganui I came across this boar.
http://gallery.me.com/neurosurgdvm#1...or=black&sel=3

Me being a vet, I could see he was clearly EXTREMELY dehydrated. I gave a liter of lactated ringers and McGyver'd my bike battery to use as a cardiac defibrillator....to no avail, he was too far gone....so I cut a chunk of back bacon and headed off again. :rolleyes:

Spent the night in Palmerston North watching the antics of about 20 Santas getting pissed on their annual "Santa pub crawl", and then listened to some live music at the Brewer's Apprentice; there were some pretty hammered folks out, including one young lady lifting her mini-dress to show at least 3 or 4 Santas her new G-string....I have to admit, it was a pretty nice G-string.:eek: I think I'm gonna like NZ. Sorry, no pics.

This morning it was up and out again. Had some pancakes with bacon and banana (best pancakes I've ever had) at a local cafe (moxie's), then fought the crosswinds down to Wellington; a bit of rain here and there as well. And here I am at Nasty's place, ready to look for new bike tires and a guide to trout fishing on the South Island book tomorrow. ]]> the vet https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/541-the-vet-s-Blog-Wandering-NZ