Northern push

Past three days I spent mainly behind the steering wheel of rental Toyota Corrola as I criss-crossed the country. Taking all scenic routes available I transferred my sorry bottom back to Northern Island and momentarily enjoy internet access in Gisborn's YHA. Below you can find some notes on that.

From Fjordland I headed south to the southernmost point of New Zealand 'mainland'. Upon reaching it I turned around and headed north. As distances are really huge (each day I covered c. 700km) and I had to stop to make pictures and enjoy the scenery (or got lost) I did not have much time to spent in the cities I was passing through. Mostly they become refueling stations both for my car and myself. I had time to stop at Invercargill's huge park with rose gardens (very nice with plenty of information about origin of various rose types), Dunedin's city centre with English-like architecture (Edwardian they call it :) ) and by Mt. Cook.

Christchurch looks a lot like Dunedin and both have cathedrals - sort of (we would call it a mere church or chapel but here they are cathedrals :) ). In Christchurch I visited buskers world festival (street performers). I have to admit that I have seen better and more funnier ones in Paris and Rotterdam but at least it was quite an experience. Only think I missed was shopping in Napier's art deco shops (everything closed on Sunday afternoon) and Kaikoura's swimming with the dolphins (passed through this part of the island in the night as I was delayed with unscheduled and unplanned 100km return to gas station...).

Only think I really am angry about is that I missed opportunity to spend more time around Mt. Cook (thus I have to return there once) as the weather was awesome - bright and sunny woth temperatures of 30 degrees. Anyway it requires at least two weeks to hike the area and climb the mountain and I really did not have time for that :)

Next is Coromandel with it's beaches - I plan to dig my hot hole there :) Enjoy!