Hello NZ! The Grand New Zealand Roadtrip

**KrazyGixxerBoy** · 11th January 2010, 20:04

Dunno about the rest but the guy in the middle, 4 pictures up is handsome!

Some great pics mate, keep up the good work!

**motoGrapher** · 11th January 2010, 21:30

Reached Dunedin today. Rode 300 kays in rain. This was the first time i could not take oiut my camera for even one photo in a day. I was cold and wet, very dissapointed. Tommorrow I will be going to Mt Cook and day after ChCh.

**Dutchee** · 11th January 2010, 22:00

Weather this week is meant to be very unsettled, and I think the worst is hitting the south island

**motoGrapher** · 13th January 2010, 19:15

I have reached ChCh, decided to go to Akaroa, went for 15kays and then tuned back. Horrible cloudy weather and dull sunlight. Will be staying in ChCh tommorrow as well. The visit to Mt Cook was amazing a couple of days ago though, here are a couple of pics:

**Mrs Cowboyz** · 13th January 2010, 19:38

Brilliant brilliant pics sunny! Keep up the good work...hope the weather clears up a bit for you!

**motoGrapher** · 14th January 2010, 11:54

Thanks Cowboy!

Another blog updated: Day 11: Jan 5th : Wellington – Greymouth : http://www.xbhp.com/gnz2/travelogue/?p=61

**motoGrapher** · 17th January 2010, 21:50

6600kms done. Tommorow will be the last riding day. I reached New Plymouth today, tommorrow i will reach Auckland. I will be flying out on 19th night.

Blog for Days 12 and 13 updated: http://www.xbhp.com/gnz2/travelogue/?p=64

**SDU** · 18th January 2010, 14:23

Bloodly awesome photos!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just read this thread otherwise we could have got something sorted in Chch with some off the kb crew- some off them did a wednesday night ride to Kaikoura & back & some to duvouchles (1/2 way to Akaroa) . Pity you got bad weather in our neck off the woods.

**motoGrapher** · 18th January 2010, 22:22

@SDU: thanks and yes, it is sad that many members didnt read it on time or at all. Would have loved to meet up with more KBs!

I reached Auckland today, the trip officially finishes today. The Odo stands at 7150 kms, no close calls, no accidents (touch wood). The bike performed flawlessly, tremendous punch and power, supersmooth. Did a top speed of XXX kmph (i am not disclosing unless i am far away from this country and its law enforcers

). The stunning Mount Cook has been very memorable for me, as well as the Southern Alps. In fact the whole of NZ has been one huge bombastic package of goodness and unparalleled beauty.

Loved meeting up with some members in wellington and queenstown. I am sure i passed a lot of you while on the ride and greeted you with a nod!

So here I am, after 23 days of being on the road, packing and unpacking my stuff from the bike, downloading the 5000+ photos on the laptop. Writing blogs, getting went in the rain, taking one corner after another, endlessly (this country has so few straight roads!), filling in 100s of litres of fuel, twisting that throttle to properl me 0-100 in less than 3 seconds umpteen number of time, here I am again in a closed cublicle wondering what my next adventiure could be, or what could bring me again to NZ...

But hold on, I have to write update many more blogs. They will be done regularly in the next 10 odd days and I will keep updating this thread.

Till then people of the Middle Earth, ride on!

**motoGrapher** · 23rd January 2010, 18:35

I am back in Mel. Have started work on getting the blogs upto date. Was fidling around with my photos and created a digital composition. The main photo is taken near Queenstown:

FOr those who want to see how it was created please have a look here: http://www.thephotographer.in/darkro...2551#post12551

**MIXONE** · 23rd January 2010, 19:33

My new screen saver
Top stuff mate and I'm glad you enjoyed your visit.

**motoGrapher** · 23rd January 2010, 21:54

Thanks!

Riding the Southern Alps:
Day 14: Jan 8th : Franz Josef to Queentown and Glenorchy :Blog Link

^Clearing the Glacier highway post rains

**motoGrapher** · 26th January 2010, 19:08

The ride (rather drive) to Milford Sound blog updated: http://www.xbhp.com/gnz2/travelogue/?p=74

^WIth Vicky (from here, KB) in Queenstown

**Firebladegirl** · 27th January 2010, 07:07

Great photo's Sunny and it was a pleasure to meet you in Frankton. Some how you've managed to turn the rotten weather to your advantaga and capture some amazing images.
This hasn't been a good summer for motorcycling in the South Island!

Cheers
Vicki