Keep the white on the right

[PAULBACH]

:type :dance :bikes

Made it to NZ safe and sound but my internal clock was none functional. Started the trip in Albany. Flew to BWI, Nashville and on to LAX. Had about a three hour stop over and then Quantas (11 hours thirty minutes to Auckland). Arrive in the middle of a rainstorm and was really out of it.

Have gotten in a couple of days of riding. Have started to really get into the swing of things. Have found the ATM to get cash, can call home for .03 a minute and the chef is cooking a special fish dinner for me tonight.

NZ is a lot like Vermont if you towed it out to see and anchored it someplace off South Carolina. Very hilly or shortly mountainous. But its geologic origins are volcanic. If Walt Disney could have created his own country like he created Celebration, Fl the country would look a lot like New Zealand. Have yet to see any litter, scenery is gorgeous and it is warm all year.

Taking lots of pictures and keeping an extensive log. Have even gotten the F650 in some of the pictures. Yesterday road a narrow gravel road to a remote beach. Glad I was riding a 650 GS instead of an R1200RT. I could have had the big bad boy but the 650 has a very powerful, two plug, single cylinder engine and has no trouble keeping up on NZ 1, the main highway up and down the North Island.

Today and taking the local bus downtown and riding the hop on and hop off bus to see all the sights in Auckland. WX today is supposed to feature and anticyclone with lots of thunder and lightning so will keep bike under cover and utilize local transport. This is a tip straight from the man who rode around the world three times on a motorcycle. Have been reading his (Frazier) book and picked up a couple of good tips.

Did tour the Auckland coastal zone and highways on Sunday. Next adventure is out to the Coromandel coast - once the weather clears. The southwest coast of India is also called the Coromandel coast. Wonder what the connection is? Must have something to do with the Brits.

Best bike tip I have had to far is to keep the center-line on the right. So white on the right it is. The only difficulties I have had is in the parking lots where there just does not seem to be much rhyme or reason - everyone is trying to grab a parking space.

Staying in a best western and making daytrip out of Otahuhu - suburb south of Auckland. Auckland has traffic just as narly as any in US

Best from,

Down Under :usa

[RTRandy]

What a great a great trip. Would love to go some day.

Can't wait to see photos. :lurk

[Grey_Matter]

How about some pictures…

[PAULBACH]

My only internet access here is at a public library. They only charge $2 NZ for an hour of access. Will have to figure out how to hook camera into computer look sly about it.

Ah! This machine does have a usb port in front. Now to reduce them in size from 6 megapixel.

Want to do the coromandel coast and Bay of Islands next.

Doing this the unusual way. I say overnight in an inexpensive Best Western and then go out on day trip and come back to motel at night for shower, rest and some chow. Camping out ended when I retired from the SEABEE unit. I won 10 days use of any Beemer I wanted from KEA motorcycles. They are super nice to deal with. Very professional outfit. They even pick you and drop you off at airport.

There is also a book out entitled the 100 best rides in NZ.

Am ready to tell stories under the beer tent. :drink

I have been practicing and they get better every time I tell them.

Best from down under! :usa

[lhilsa]

Are you going to ride the South island? The wife and I have ridden in New Zealand twice & found the South island to have some of the greatest roads we have ever ridden. I found the North island to be very much like riding in the states (except on the other side of the road). The South island doesn't have the traffic found on the North island and great scenery. We can't wait to return for another dose of New Zealand hospitality.

[redrider]

Glad to see U arrived safely & are having some great rides.Look forward to the stories in the beer tent.

[PAULBACH]

Radio this morning said DO NOT PANIC until further information is available.

Earthquaker in Tonga could have been a problem but as you all know it amounted to nothing more than a poof and a piffle.

Did some riding on the Coromandel peninsula. You have to love twisty roads to ride there but the scenery is awesome.

Due to timing, roads and the rain would up riding back in the rain and in the dark - a doubler no no.

But I had my frog toggs in the paniers and my reflective vest. Slowed down a rode my own ride. Nice to get back to motel for some good chow and a hot shower and a fresh made bed. Over 100 miles in the rain was no fun.

Have over 600 pictures so far. What a sorting job when I get home.

The beer tent stories will be great. Have kept an extensive log.

Paul :usa

[Voni]

wOW! You are living one of my dreams.

Glued to this thread.

Voni
sMiling

[PAULBACH]

:type

First the tsunami and now the snow. Snow on the patio deck this morning and in the shady spots. Well, not quite snow, but a big storm last night covered the city with hail, in some places as big as a golf ball. My area, Otahuhu, got hail about the size of BB shot, so it looked like snow and have the pictures to prove it.

Looks like a rainy day also so am headed into the city and looking for a place called Victoria Market. Friday is market day when part of Auckland is a big flea market. Should be interesting. Maybe I can bring home some vintage BMW motorcycle parts. Will ride the local buses so I can "rest," snooze or nap along the way. An all day ticket cost $10.00 about $6.75 back home and the buses are first class.

When I get done next week I just return the bike to KEA motors and they will take me to the airport for the 1700 flight and then on to LA. They even stop at the motel to pick up my gear. Real easy, real simple, no schedules.


The WX today is rain off and on. Glad I am not on a tour where I would have to go out and ride to maintain a schedule. Flexibility to the max is a good thing. The next three days are supposed to be nice and sunny and perfect for riding. Will get an early start and head for the Bay of Islands up north. I will head south on Sunday and reserve Monday for some interesting destination.

It costs about $7.50 (NZ) to ride all day on the 650GS. That is for gas. The motorcycle use was a prize from Americade. It has panniers and a topcase - all BMW gear. I added a couple of Ted Hall's Vermont cows to the panniers. Be sure to pick up a couple at the rally. The Vermont cows are getting on just fine with the local heifers. Ted will be happy to know that.

Motel, a Best Western is a bargain and I have the continental breakfast in the morning: plumbs, peaches, coffee, 7 different kinds of tea, four different kinds of cereal and toast - all you want and the price is $12 NZ. I read the paper and have some more hot toast with NZ butter. Very relaxing. :eat

The motel even has a laundry room so will get the accumulated wash done. :thumb Life is good.

More adventures tomorrow.


That's about it from

Down Under :usa

[jerryb]

This is weird, I feel something like when I used to try to shift on the right now and then. Paul, I was sure shifting the brake lever when I saw your first post from New Zealand. I thought we wouldn't be able to reply because you are over (under) there! I came back to your post thinking I would see more reports from you or maybe some pictures and when I saw the other posts did I feel stupid!

Sometimes I feel like this internet stuff will never quit boggling my mind. I'm a believer in genes though and I had a very old fashioned father. My mother used to say he was born 50 years too soon and I always thought it should have been 50 years too late but what do I know.

When I think of New Zealand I think of that beautifully filmed (early 1900's era?) true story movie (title?) about the young girls from an exclusive private school that disappeared on a school outing into the country. I think it would be considered a foreign film.

Anyway, hope things go well for you and I'm looking forward to hearing the stories in Vermont.

jerryb

[jerryb]

It is called "Hi there sailor,new in town".

A BMW GS is not a cage the controls are the same if you are upside down or leftside up.............Or sitting side saddle. :wave

JerryB did you find that DelriumTremen beer yet ?........I will try, and drink, I mean bring one to Vermont. I need you to help hold all of Paul's pictures in the beer tent.

I hope he is whale-riding down there as well.............yes that is where "Whalerider" was filmed. What were you thinking ? :stick :brow

Statdawg, I've been holding off, I called Total Wine about a week ago and they said it was a new item for them and would be coming in about two weeks. I'll let you know.

jerryb

[jerryb]

Received a PM from Paul he is on the North Coast now. He has to use Public PCs so Photos will not be coming for awhile. Can't wait to see the Pic's. Get the DVD "Whale Rider" that was filmed on the North Island and it was up for numerious awards and it was spiritual. :thumb

Go Paul, Go!

Thanks for the movie tip Statdawg, sounds good. I'm real particular about movies, no doubt I'm somewhat of a curmudgeon there. A great (meditative) movie I found lately...."Winged Migration" is the type you could watch over and over (alone) with a beer. NO dialogue in it, just waterfowl, nature and beautiful filming.

.
jerryb

[PAULBACH]

:blah :type :bikes

Well, the motorcycle part of the odyssey is over and the GS has been returned. I am very happy to report that there is not a scratch to either bike or ride. I have the documentation and clocked just a little over 700 KM a day.

The bike gave ten days of faithful performance. Somehow I made a wee error in booking return flights so I have a couple of extra days here in the Auckland area before Quantas takes me to Los Angeles and then Southwest makes the last leg to Albany, NY. Should be home for Mother's Day - God help the man who forgets or is not there for that.

But time to make lemonade out of lemons. I can still visit a couple of places I wanted to see but will do them by tour bus. I wanted to seer the Bay of Islands but the ride was just a little out of range from Auckland unless I wanted to speed and then risk coming back in the dark over some twisty mountain roads. Did that last week and in the rain with double lorries flying by – no thanks. So I will sit, relax, read a book and see the rest on the itinerary.

Went north yesterday to see the Gannett colonies. But the chicks have grown up and the whole colony has flown off to Australia. The adults will return next year to the very same rock and the juveniles will stay in Australia for three years and then return to New Zealand to the very rock where they were hatched.

But the trip yesterday produced the best photos of the adventure. The skies in Auckland were clear and blue when I left. Then the skies turned gray with just a bit of rain. By the time I reached the black sand the skies were azure blue – perfect. Then high cirrus clouds moved and the photos were even better.

Everything is going as well as planned, if not better. Maybe when I get back I will write an article, “Down Under With the World’s Slowest Indian.”

Will have many, many pictures to post. Might even have to break down and get a smugmug account.


Best to all from DownUnder :usa

[PAULBACH]

:type :bikes :dance

The great adventure is almost over. Will be taking the bus to the airport tomorrow. KEA motorcycles picks me up at motel and drops me and all the luggage right off at the international terminal. KEA is a very professional organization.

Did have one great misadventure. Was taking the bus back home from downtown Auckland. The driver got lost and was taking direction from the passengers. The trip took two hours and it is usually a 30 to 40 minute ride. Kept thinking this is the plot for a horror movie. Was very happy to get off bus. I knew I was in trouble when I got on the bus and asked if bus went to Otahuhu and the driver had to consult a list he had in his lap.

Visited the Bay of Islands in the north of NZ. Fantastic scenery and will share the pictures when I get home. The tour boat actually sailed through a hole in a huge rock. The tour boat is four decks tall and holds over 100 passengers. It was a superb bit of seamanship.

Also saw dolphins playing on the bow wave. A great day in NZ. Sometimes it pays to take the bus and leave the driving to a professional.

Will be home in 48 hours. New Zealand is a great place to visit. The people are very friendly, seem to like strangers and the prices are very reasonable. The roads are among the best in the world. Have actually gotten used to driving on the left. Now I have to unlearn all that when I get home.

Best to all from:

Down Under :usa

[PAULBACH]

I had to go very fast to keep bike upright and get this picture

[PAULBACH]

There are times when you want to move very slowly otherwise an udder disaster is in the works.

[PAULBACH]

When the wind is blowing at Murawai Beach this is a favorite activity:

[username]

There are times when you want to move very slowly otherwise an udder disaster is in the works.

don't be cowed - maintain and defend the space around your bike!

[jerryb]

Welcome back Paul.
Glad to see all went well, what a dream trip! See you in Vermont!

jerryb

[PAULBACH]

Am down to the last couple of hours of sorting through over 1,000 photos. :type

Will smugmug the best.

Bringing an album to VT.

It can be done on a thin wallet - I did it. I was once told that the only cheap thing on a BMW is the rider. :rofl

Like my friend said when I got back, "It doesn't look like you lost any weight."

It is cheaper to rent a motorcoach. Right now you can rent a motorcoach with shower for $NZ30 a day; about 20 bucks American.

That's Auckland in the background. Notice one of Ted Hall's reflective cows on the Panier.

[iRene]

When I think of New Zealand I think of that beautifully filmed (early 1900's era?) true story movie (title?) about the young girls from an exclusive private school that disappeared on a school outing into the country. I think it would be considered a foreign film.

jerryb


(1975- A Picnic At Hanging Rock, filmed in Australia. Haunting photography.)

[iRene]

iRene would you go on a picnic with that man ? a little :bottle :violin :bolt Really Paul is a great guy !

Actually, we met at a Yankee Beemer club breakfast, so the answer is I kinda already have!

The alternate answer is "Of course! If HE is buying..."

[jerryb]

(1975- A Picnic At Hanging Rock, filmed in Australia. Haunting photography.)

That's it! I looked it up in my Leonard Maltin's movie guide book and sure enough! Thank You Irene! You people continually amaze me!

jerryb

[PAULBACH]

Always take the road less traveled!

[PAULBACH]

I hope this works. If not maybe someone out there can help out. I have the url and hope it leads folk to the pictures which are hosted on Kodak Gallery

Picture Gallery (http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=cvmipnr.4vxpopvz&x=0&y=ehx04b)

[jerryb]

Paul, Thanks for sharing all the great photos, what a Trip!
I had to poke around awhile to figure it out though because I didn't see the "View photos without signing in" link right away. I'm new to this stuff and in the past I've probably missed that link in other albums thinking I had to be a member.
See you in Vermont

jerryb

[PAULBACH]

I still have two more albums of pictures to sort, caption and post.

The best thing about the trip was low price, high mileage, lots or fun, no schedules and great photography.

Just how many days of twisties does one need? Sometimes I like to sit down with the locals and have a beer or be invited to play a game of scrabble or be invited to a weekend home.

Guided tours have their place. I would love a backup van and dinner everynight in a fine restaurant. But eating at the local level has its rewards. One evening I was at a local Chinese sidewalk restaurant when a little kid keep look at me and the motorcycle. The kid looked at me and I waved at him. His mother pointed at my ride and said, "motorcycle." The kid waved at me and said "motorcycle."

I know my head is bald but does it look that much like chrome? :laugh

[PAULBACH]

This is the second photo album. It includes:

My "home," the Best Western in Otahuhu a suburb of Auckland
The Coromandel Coast
Murawai Beach with parasailing
A bit of heaven discovered when I took the road less traveled

ENJOY

(Click Here) :dance
LINK FOR NEW ZEALAND ALBUM #2 (http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=cvmipnr.asc7z4a7&x=0&y=-j7pnrb)

[jerryb]

Paul, Great travelogue of pictures and practical comments/advice for us future travelers.
No doubt your taking the somewhat spontaneous path over the organized tour will hearten some to do the same.
I hope no one misses your point about public transportation. It's a travel treat that I think gets often overlooked.

jerryb

[redrider]

great pics in both albums.Thanks for sharing

[PAULBACH]

The last album with captions is ready to go. :dance

Click Here for New Zealand Album #3 (http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=cvmipnr.7c6ujlan&x=0&y=qr2mcq) :type

[PacWestGS]

Paul,

I'm in complete awe and envy of your trip and outstanding photography.

Thank you Sir, for taking us along.

It is one of those country's high on my list of places and things to do!!!

Thanks again for sharing.

Doc

[PAULBACH]

Thank you for the kind comments especially about the photography. But the truth is now matter where you go in New Zealand just point the camera and release the shutter. Picture perfect shot every time. The country is that beautiful.

Also it demonstrates anyone can travel NZ on a thin wallet. I got my credit card bill and the whole trip was done for less than $2,000 about what some folks seem to pay for a 12,000 mile check in some pricey markets. :brow

Have to thank my daughter for an assist. I had cold feet and was not going to go but then she reminded that all you need is a credit card. The people do speak English. There is very little crime, so what can go wrong?

It was fun, the next trip will most likely be Crete - once those tourists go home and the prices go down. :laugh

I put all the shots in an album last night and found I still have page space left over. So will add a few more and bring the tome to the beer tent.

All one needs is a credit card and a sense of adventure. Maybe I should write an article. :type

Thanks again.