Sunday, April 24, 2011
Hitchhike Experience -14th December, 2010
Village town of Okahune
Every backpacker you meet these days would perhaps tell you a story about their travel experiences, especially on how they moved around from one town /city to the next. Hitchhike as commonly known by backpackers is apparently one of the costless ways to move around and if you asked, someone possibly would tell you their experience. What I find amusing is the different views people have about it. Its safety and security seems to be a major concern whenever I happen to raise the topic. You see it is not something new I am casually talking about it here; I was also way advised not to think about it before my travels by a close friend so I can understand why there are many mixed feelings. Does this mean societies are not the same anymore compared to the days when our parents and grandparents grew up?
I recall couple of conversation with travellers who told me about their success stories and thought how brave they were, especially to hear it from female travellers. To be honest there were some moments along my travel route that I thought I should try it out but possibly with the company of another traveller.
In one of my early travels in the North Island of New Zealand I decided to take a hitch- hike with a co-traveller from the National Park hostel where we were staying for 3 days to a nearby village town called Okahune and if we had walked it would have taken us 35 km but it was not the risk S and I were risking to take especially after 9 hours of hiking the Tongariro crossing the previous day. With some helpful hints given by the charming English accent receptionist we settled for the idea of hitchhike. Not knowing who he/she might be we anxiously walked down to the main highway; standing on the left side of the lane we each took turns to raise our thumbs across the road signalling our desperation for a free ride. How peculiar was that? Self-conscious and thinking of what our family might be thinking about our idea, we persevered for less than 10 minutes until we hit the lucky jackpot.
Running few metres down the roadside we met the lady driver who kindly offered us a ride as she was on her way to Wellington. Without any delays we hopped into the car, introduced ourselves and chit-chatted as she drove us to the Okahune village which took about 31 minutes. Thanking our generous driver we farewell her as she continues her long drive to the capital.
We were warned prior to our visit to Okahune that it might be quiet and as assumed we see number of shops closed and less than 100 dwellers. There wasn’t much happening except for the New World grocery shop which happened to be busier than the others.
On a perfect sunny day on the main street we capture the view of Mt Ruapehu carpeted with sketches of snow that resist to disappear this summer. Imagine what it’s like during Winter in this town. As Okahune is the gateway to Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields during winter, where skiers and boarders flock in to entertain themselves you would expect more people to be here than this season.
We browsed around for about 2 hours and then decided it was time to catch the next hike to the hostel before we were caught by the approaching showers.
Who gave us the next ride is another story I would die to tell you as it has connections to my homeland (P.N.G).
I recall couple of conversation with travellers who told me about their success stories and thought how brave they were, especially to hear it from female travellers. To be honest there were some moments along my travel route that I thought I should try it out but possibly with the company of another traveller.
In one of my early travels in the North Island of New Zealand I decided to take a hitch- hike with a co-traveller from the National Park hostel where we were staying for 3 days to a nearby village town called Okahune and if we had walked it would have taken us 35 km but it was not the risk S and I were risking to take especially after 9 hours of hiking the Tongariro crossing the previous day. With some helpful hints given by the charming English accent receptionist we settled for the idea of hitchhike. Not knowing who he/she might be we anxiously walked down to the main highway; standing on the left side of the lane we each took turns to raise our thumbs across the road signalling our desperation for a free ride. How peculiar was that? Self-conscious and thinking of what our family might be thinking about our idea, we persevered for less than 10 minutes until we hit the lucky jackpot.
Running few metres down the roadside we met the lady driver who kindly offered us a ride as she was on her way to Wellington. Without any delays we hopped into the car, introduced ourselves and chit-chatted as she drove us to the Okahune village which took about 31 minutes. Thanking our generous driver we farewell her as she continues her long drive to the capital.
We were warned prior to our visit to Okahune that it might be quiet and as assumed we see number of shops closed and less than 100 dwellers. There wasn’t much happening except for the New World grocery shop which happened to be busier than the others.
On a perfect sunny day on the main street we capture the view of Mt Ruapehu carpeted with sketches of snow that resist to disappear this summer. Imagine what it’s like during Winter in this town. As Okahune is the gateway to Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields during winter, where skiers and boarders flock in to entertain themselves you would expect more people to be here than this season.
We browsed around for about 2 hours and then decided it was time to catch the next hike to the hostel before we were caught by the approaching showers.
Who gave us the next ride is another story I would die to tell you as it has connections to my homeland (P.N.G).
Friday, April 22, 2011
Visiting the Hales
January 28th -5th February 2011
This blog is dedicated to my fellow Papua New Guineans who have come to work and know Doug and Sharon. I know that their (Doug & Sharon's) tiny ways have heartened individuals lives.
The last time I farewelled the Hales was December somewhat date in 2008. Their going-finish to return to their home land Willows Valley in the Central Hawkes bay after 10 years of education consultancy work with IEA was an emotional
moment for those that worked with and grew fond of the couple. 
My reunion visit with them on their farm home after 2 years was such a lovely moment. It certainly brought great memories of their times in PNG.
Thank you Doug and Sharon for a very pleasant hospitality!
Doug and Sharon's Farm home.
You can find chooks, ducks, sheep, cows and the friendly Shaz (Dog) on the farm.
Porangahau School where the Hales currently are working.
Wednesday 20th January -Picton to Wellington
After five hours of bus ride with intercity coach from Christchurch on the morning of 20th January I arrive in Picton in time to catch the Interislander ferry to Wellington ( North Island).
Every town you visit always has something significant to talk about and as it is Picton has its share of story too. It is a small town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand and is near the north-east corner of South Island. It is also near the head of Queen Charlotte sound. The town population is just under 3000 people according to 2006 Census.
Monday 17th January, 2011
Christchurch-The Last Memories
Never heard of the ladies only hostel in Christchurch until I met Aee who recommended it. Located
in Barbadoes street and a walking distance into town it's quite a friendly and cosy hostel designed for the comfort of female travellers who rather prefer to have their own space and privacy.Two nights were spent here to recover from non-stop travel for 6 days.Hostel name: Frauenreise
haus ( It is currently not operating due to damages caused by the recent earthquarke.
Sunday 16th January, 2011 -Mt Cook
Aoraki/ Mount CookArriving just after 1.30pm in Mt Cook we check in at Mt. Cook bacpackers hostel to book for a night. Thankfully Aee ( my German travel friend) and I given the priority to check in ahead of the others as our Glacier Explore cruise was due in an hours time.
Mt Cook appaarently is the highest mountain in New Zealand reaching its highest peak at 3 754 metres high. It is also one of New Zealands popular tourist destination and a popular destination for mountain climbing enthusiasts. The area it self was gazetted as a Mt Cook National Park in 1953.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
16th January, 2011 -Heading for Mt Cook
16th January 2011, another warm day as we head for Mt Cook. Our Driver today and for the next few days is Bubbles. We stop to view the Moeraki Boulders, unusually large and spherical lying along a stretch of Koekohe beach on the wave cut of Otago coast of New Zealand. It has increasingly become a tourist spot. It also has been protected in scientific reserve for study purposes.Though science has its own explanation, the local Maori also has its explanation. The Maori legend explains boulders as the remains of eel baskests, calabashes, kumaras washes ashore from the wreck from an Arai-te-uru a large sailing canoe.
On the hilltop overlooking the beach and the sea there is a lovely cafe to grab something to drink or eat and even a souvenir shop is available to find a gift to take home.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
16th January, 2011
I finally farewell Dunedin a strong Scotish influence city after 2 weeks and a night.
15th January, 2011 -A day after Stewart Island
Straybus stops in Catlins bay for a lunch break
We meet with the rest of the Straybus Team at the Bluff seaport terminal and hit the road again with Cash and Bubbles, our young, friendly and bubbly tour guides. On our way we encounter unwelcoming cafe and information centre manager who could not allow us to use the rest room, a pity I thought! We managed to hold the natures call until we bussed to Waipapa Point..It was a long queue but worth the wait. Made a quick stroll to view the Waipapa Point Light house which is one of New Zealand's last major timber towers built in December 1884 at a cost of 6 000 pounds sterling.Its identitical design tower can also be located in Northland's Kaipara Head.
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