Oh yesssssss, I made it to the South Island and the week couldn’t have started better.
Smooth ferry ride into Picton, meeting the two fellow cyclists Mathilda &

Mathilda, Felix and me

Felix. Unfortunately they were on their way eastbound into Wanaka while I was heading west into Nelson to hit Abel Tasman National Park. Easy ride to my Motel in Linkwaters before I took off for a 110km ride into Nelson. Had to cover some 1200m elevation and winding roads. Other cyclists warned me it’s pretty dangerous with all trucks and vans overtaking but I seemed to be lucky that the cars always came in a convoy which I let pass when I saw them in my little helmet mirror.

Arriving to Nelson, I was lucky that Jenny & her son Jimmy offered a room to stay – love www.warmshowers.org community. Was welcomed as if I was a close friend, dinner was waiting and we had long chats.

Really felt like home – they have a lovely house and are so naturally warm hearted. Got more tipps on my little hike into the Abel Tasman National Park.

Spent a night in The Barn Backpackers hostel. Initially I thought, oh cool – not crowded here – until the Straybus arrived pouring out 50 teenagers into the site. Private time over. Haha

The 23km hike in the park was nice, saw many people who stayed more days in the park. Decided to do some tramping, tent, air bed & sleeping bag for couple of nights on a next holidays. Or even in South America. Got all the stuff in HK in the warehouse….As it looks like, my bucket list just gets rather longer then shorter…

After the hike I jumped on my bike and cycled 60k back to Jenny & Jimmy, who kindly hosted me another night. Jimmy also hooked my up with his dad in Hokitika. To make some ground I took the bus from Nelson to Greymouth with easy 40km ride to Tom’s house. I was so lucky – had a 12m bus for myself. Tom took me around into the bush and to Hokitika Gorge. They also have 20 super friendly chicken, got to grab my morning egg every day – no complaint from any chicken…organic fresh poached eggs in the morning. What else could I have wished for?

After almost spending one week with Family Mackay it was time to say good bye – thank you guys! I left for Hari Hari where a friend of them runs a backpacker place. Thores next great stay and adventure was waiting….

Lucky and Happy German on tour