Tales From The Open Road

Four years ago this month I experienced for the first time the joys of New Zealand, but it was the following March that I really lived the dream as I hit the open road...completely on my own, just me and my trusted campervan! With the exception of the first and last day when I caught up with my great kiwi pal, Ange, aka The TWL (tiny wee lady!), in Christchurch, I was entirely alone as I navigated myself around the whole of the South Island, mainly hogging the coastline in a clockwise direction.

"Drive the road to your surrender..."

I had a romantic notion of a road trip adventure akin to something like a Jack Kerouac 'beatnik' novel, cruising the highways across the country in style, taking on hitchhikers, getting into scrapes, swooning over beautiful women on my travels...and just generally having a blast whilst enjoying my freedom!
Well, I did cruise the highways in style; suprisingly I didn't witness any hitchhikers; a few parking nightmares aside, I didn't really get into any scrapes; and as for the swooning...well gentlemen never 'kiss-and-tell', or give too many secrets away! Lol.

I took in some wonderful cities, townships and places such as, Te Anau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Nelson, The Abel Tasman National Park and The Golden Bay.
The space afforded to me on the open roads, and the peace and tranquility I discovered will stay with me forever, as the whole month was a life changing experience to a certain extent, whilst the feeling of escapism was enlightening. Driving the highways of NZ, as well as the twisty, hairpin bends clutching the sides of mountains, with the spectacular scenery of some of the most beautiful lakes in the world, was something that I just can't put into words...it's really one of those things that you have to experience for yourself, words or pictures can never describe it, or do it justice.

"Heading for the open road, goodbye to all that..."

I witnessed some breathtaking views including the biggest rainbow that I had ever seen on the way up the west coast from Franz Josef to Greymouth...it was so illuminating that I nearly crashed my van!
Then then was the drive along Highway 6 from Te Anau to Queenstown alongside Lake Wakatipu (please see footnote at end of blog), taking in the range of spectacular mountains, crowned by the magnificent Coronet Peak, where I achieved another one of my ambitions by freefalling from 15,000 ft in a tandem skydive.
Just 100 km north-east of Queenstown lies the wonderful township of Wanaka. After the long drive I stayed there for a few days and really chilled out! I made my second home a local cafe, and I regularly dined out on obscure toasted sandwiches and coffee to my hearts content.
The only exercise I took whilst relaxing in this lovely place was a trek up the nearby Mount Iron, which overlooks the twin lakes of Wanaka and Hawea with stunning pararamic views.

Looking back on it, I find it hard to recall specific incidents as the whole experience will live with me forever. Just being able to get up in the morning without a care in the world, and then set off on a journey without neccesarily any destination in mind is a wonderful luxury to enjoy. And being able to breakaway from the hustle and bustle of busy city life in the UK, and be transformed to such a beautiful place on the other side of the world does your heart and soul good...you've just got to try it at least once in your life!
And don't let age put you off, as you're never too old to travel...I didn't realise my life's dream until I was in my forties, so if I can do it then anyone can!!!

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer"

Footnote: Lake Wakatipu is unique in that it actually appears to have a tide just like the sea or ocean.
Maori legend has it that this is due to the beating heart of a buried god beneath...spiritual stuff indeed!
In fact I'd like to put it on record that when I pass on from this world, if I could have one final wish I would like my ashes to be scattered over this lake off the jetty at Queenstown...as this is undoubtably my spiritual home where my heart belongs ♥

Next week...'Tales From The Depot'.

Steve M