North Island on my own

While bussing around and staying at backpacker places is ok, I still miss Inga and our van a little bit. After one more day of climbing in Takaka, I went to Nelson. Met some fun guys there and tried motor biking and then took the ferry over to Wellington. Since I like cities so much, I spent three whole hours there, at the Te Papa museum, and then went up to Turangi to do the Tongariro crossing the next day. And what a beautiful day! Blue sky and beautiful mountains. The crossing is very nice, but it sure smells on the way down.

After Tongariri, I went to Rotoroa and rented a mountain bike. The forest there was amazing and huge. I also went to the annual "Beer fest" (aka oktoberfest) but that was a dissapointment. Basically no people. Waitimo caves are famous for is glow worms and stalagtites, so I hade to try that of course. Before going up to Aukland and finishing my trip in NZ.

After a 12h flight to Los Angeles, I went right away to do some shopping. More specifically: find cheap climbing equipment and new running shoes. I sure spent a lot of money there; but luckily on sorely needed stuff. Tomorrow Aruba awaits me =)

Beautiful Flock Hill

Me at the summit of Mt. Tongariro with Mt. Ngauruhoe (aka. Mt. Doom) in the background.

Motorbiking in Nelson


Proof that Takaka/Nelson is the biggest hippie towns on earth (or at least in NZ)

Nelson "the Stilt capital"