American wandering New Zealand

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 03:25

While traveling in the Ute, I had both the V-strom and Ute listed for sale on TradeMe...serendipitously, the Ute sold first. I drove it up to Auckland, made the exchange, flew back down to Wellington, got rid of my last few belongings, packed up the bike and headed for Taranaki. Here, I realize that I failed to mention my stops in Tauranga/Maunganui and Rotorua---a few photos

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 03:36

I have to say, when looking back on the trip, although there was something to be said for the comfort of the Ute.....the 'adventure' was overall more exciting and interactive on the bike....now that sounds obvious, and I know I am preaching to the choir here....but it was more than the wind, the proximity to the scenery, etc.....the off-bike experiences were better and deeper while I was traveling on the bike.....my memories of that time, the whole encounter, are better than those of my time traveling in the Ute....time seemed to slow down while on the bike; you engage more people, your story is more interesting. Its a richer experience.

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 04:00

I like the 'naki'. I had beautiful weather on the day I arrived, and then it rained. Nonetheless, its one of those places with roots in the land, and a strong sense of community, pride, and like so many other places in NZ...beauty. I stayed about 4 days at a backpackers in New Plymouth. I took a run on the walkway, I hiked to the top of Paritutu (correct name?)......I even engaged some medicinal herb (without inhaling) and spent about 3 hours marveling in the museum at the exhibits.....awesome. I found an off the beaten path little store selling greenstone and bought some jewelry for my Mom and sisters. It was a good time. To explain a couple of the photos...of the mountain on the day I arrived. On one day I just got out on the bike and drove some of the back country roads....just to explore and see the farmland...for the solitude and the GREEN! I love the Green. One evening in New Plymouth a storm came through...it made for a beautiful rainbow and then sunset views from down by the water

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 04:08

Only had one day with clear views of the volcano.....grateful for that.

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 04:25

I met a German girl at the backpackers. She had never been on a motorbike before, so I borrowed a helmet from a local kiwibiker (tremendous thanks for that!) and Nicole and I went for a ride. We spoke with a farmer/rancher in the hotel, he had been mustering with his dogs that morning....I know where the expression 'dog tired' comes from. Wouldn't you know it though, I came as close to going down on the bike with Nicole on the back as I did the entire trip......lost my concentration for a moment and hit a small bit of that gray mud on a curve....both front and rear started to go.....if the patch was any bigger, we would have been down.

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 05:11

Was tramping the Whitedliffs Walkway. I forget exactly, but its 15K or so, perhaps longer, and you have to time it around the tides or you can't get through the part along the beach. No takers at the backpackers, so I had to figure a way to make the one way tramp by myself. I decided to park the Strom at the bottom of the track, and then hitchhike to the top, walk down and then get on the bike and go back to New Plymouth.....so I got an early start. Problem was the access road to the bottom of the track is one way in and out and not highly used...and its about 13 K or so back out to the main road. So I started walking in long pants with water and shorts in my pack....and nary a car to be seen....maybe one went by, but just kept going past me and my thumb. I walked about 8-9 more Km and hadn't seen a car, so decided to put take off my pants and put on my shorts, the day was warming up. Wouldn't you know it, with my pants down around my ankles, standing there in my undies, a car comes into view.....I just stood up and stuck my thumb out

......needless to say, what looked like a mother and two young kids just passed me by, mouths agape.....oh well....about another Km and I did get picked, but I had spent 2 hours and had already walked most of the way. Once on the main road, it wasn't long before I got a ride from a young guy who took me all the way to the head of the track....and there I started walking again.....a beautiful tramp, a beautiful day.....and a little more medicinal herb helped me to get a little creative with my camera. All said and done it was probably about a 20+km day of walking.

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 06:20

More photos from the walkway. I was told that the stock tunnel was closed because it was dangerous....but go ahead anyway, it cuts off the walk and gets you to the beach faster. It was kind of cool, but slick as snot. Was all I could do to stay upright.

**the vet** · 23rd July 2010, 08:10

To come...fishing around Taupo, a wild boar on the Whakapapa and finally.....Northland adventures

**george formby** · 23rd July 2010, 09:43

I guess your home now, posting from a merka? Cool. Looks like you have had crackin time.

**Mort** · 23rd July 2010, 15:25

A good read - thanks for posting - hope to see you back here someday

**Hinny** · 25th July 2010, 20:14

Hey Pete,
Post 171... last photo is sublime.

**the vet** · 4th September 2010, 15:35

Originally Posted by Hinny

Hey Pete,
Post 171... last photo is sublime.

yep, crazy how a freak like me might be able to capture that beauty...a moment, as arrogant as to say perhaps 'the right moment' in time.....just dumb luck and maybe an eye for the sublime......just got my residence visa stamped in my passport...may be back for more "life analysis" in the not too distant future.....crap, haven't even finished my ride report yet.

'an analyzed life'...how important, how easily overlooked...

**gijoe1313** · 7th September 2010, 22:54

Blardy great ride report mate! Good on you for sucking out the marrow from life and making the most of your time here in our fair lands!

Keep on passing the open windows!

**the vet** · 18th December 2011, 18:20

I'm back!...literally here in NZ doing the immigration/residency dance, and figuratively, to finish the original ride report, started 3 years ago...sorry for the delay, hopefully better late than never.

Originally Posted by the vet

I'll arrive in Auckland on Dec 7 and 5 days later I'll be 43 years old. I was born in NY, but I've lived in 6 different states and in a few countries; mostly 20 years ago, and mostly for shorter periods of time. I first thought I'd come to NZ to just explore your beautiful country and meet New Zealanders, traveling by motorcycle, taking my time, fishing along the way, engaging the adventure and beauty your country is known for. Then I thought, if I can work along the way, all the better, and tomorrow I'll accept a 6 month position based in Wellington which should also get me a work permit good for 5 years. So the plan as it stands now.....travel for 2 months, work 6 months, travel and/or work for another 3-4. At that point I'll try and decide to stay, or return to the States; that is part of the adventure for me...the unknown.

This is my first attempt at a ride report. So bear with me until I can work out some 'flow', and a way to seamlessly attach pictures. I am starting early with this so that I can perfect the process before I actually arrive; at which time I imagine 'the process' will be more challenging. I have enthusiastically devoured some of the ride reports on ADVrider; there are some wonderfully talented storytelling motorcycle adventurers out there. Emails will be the best way to contact me directly. srndptee@gmail.com

I need a change in my life. What the heck...how can I pass on an opportunity like this?

**the vet** · 18th December 2011, 20:57

From Taranaki I set out on the bike to Taupo for a few days of fly fishing, and weather permitting (early October), the Tongariro crossing. I was there for 3-4 days and spent 2 days fishing the T-T river. Some fun rainbows on that river and the further I walked upstream, the better the fishing got. Again, for a guy like me, some great strong fish...really fun. My window to do the Tongariro crossing was small and the weather not good...and soon to get worse. On my first day there I met a guy who got halfway, and then had to turn back. On the one day I decided to drive over the pass and try the Whakapapa river, the weather was not looking good. I asked a local if it was possible that there would be snow on the pass with the weather coming in..."Nah, you'll be fine".....I should learn to listen to my intuition. It rained the entire time on the Whakapapa, the river was coming up so high I could not cross it. Trying to get back to the bike after a fruitless and freezing day I came across a big pig...big tusks...not afraid of me in the least. Navigated some fencing, crossed some pasture and finally found my way back to the bike. Sure enough, heading back to Turangi....SNOW on the road and rapidly getting worse. I was already soaked to the bone, and never so cold on the bike...very happy to make my way to the hot pools by the end of the day. A couple good days of fishing, and first hand experience of the rapid, and extreme, NZ weather changes. All in good fun!