Trapped in New Zealand

Steward Island, as described in the April 18th update. Yes I am still in New Zealand... But no longer because I chose to but because I am still without a passport after a burglary where all my valuables, including my beautiful camera (with 120 quality photo's on it), were stolen. Preparations for a 12 day track in the rimbu.                                                             After 20 years of travelling all over the world without problems, this has happened to me in one of the most save countries of the world! Though it is an interesting learning experience and a challenge to get things fixed from the other end of the world I would have preferred not to attend this class!

Steward Island, after my torch broke down and the fire was the only source of light. And when one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong. The issuing of my passport is delayed all the time. Therefore I cannot identify myself and get new traveller cheques. My new creditcard got lost in the mail and I am currently overstaying my visa but cannot extend it because I have no passport.

Floating wood around Steward Island. But still I am in the relative good position of having very helpful friends here in Auckland (Jess and Shayne) and also the excellent service of both Singapore Airlines (Liz) and KLM (Sandra) have helped to stay cool. And on the other end of the world Arjan has done a lot of work to help me out. What happened? To satisfy your curiosity, here is the story: like I have done all the time, I took a person from the hostel in Palmerston North with me to Auckland. Took us 2 days and we had nice evenings together playing pool (I am improving) and scrabble (I won most of the times!).

Catlins at the south of Southern Island. On arrival in Auckland he offered me a room in a hotel in return of the lift I gave him. We met 2 of his friends in the hotel and we went out. During the evening the 2 friends said goodbye and as it turned out later one of them went back to the hotel, got the key of the room, and stole my valuables. Though the guy is on the security camera of the hotel and the police has taken fingerprints he seems to have disappeared. Probably enjoying a luxury holiday...

The warm north Mount Cook, the highest mountain in new Zealand. But enough about this incident. Since my last update I travelled up to the warm north again. Of course I went to Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. Also I spend some wonderful days on the Banks Peninsula near Christ Church.

Valley at Mount Cook. Back on the north island I took revenge on Mt Ngauruhoe, which I climbed before in bad weather. This time it was clear and the views were absolutely fabulous (can't show as the pictures were stolen with the camera). For anyone with a little interest in mountains this is a real must. Other things not to skip are a visit to the Bay of Islands , the 90 mile beach, the Kauri forest and the Kauri museum in Matakohe, all close to Auckland. The real life In the Kauri forest you will see the biggest tree you have ever seen. But my favourite place close to Auckland is Fletcher Bay on the most northern point of the Coromandel peninsula.

A big tree in the Kauri forest. The closest shop is one hour drive away, the views are stunning and it is quiet. The owners of the place catch some fresh fish an hour before dinner which they shared with us. My English companions in the lodge turned this into the best fish and chips meal I have had so far. That is the real life: eating fish and chips on the balcony of a beautiful situated lodge with good company around.

Drying seaweed, used to make vitamine pills. What's next? Now there are just a few days left of preparing to leave NZ and go back to Malaysia. Managed to sell my car at a very competitive car-fair and major challenge now is to fit everything from the car in one backpack again...

The highway on the Southern Island.