Day-1 15 December (Christchurch to Twizel)

Assorted ride videos from Day 1

Had an early start with a nice continental breakfast served by our host Pam and some nice chatting on varied topics on life in NZ, the earthquake etc. Staying at homely B&Bs always has this wonderful advantage of meeting local people & getting to know about many local traditions & practices.





Soon we are joined by Carole, one of the owners of South Pacific Motorcycle Rentals from where we rented our bike. She has arrived with her minivan to take me to their facility which is set amidst beautiful farm country just outside Christchurch. I meet her husband Mike, a graceful gentleman and a passionate biker like me and we soon go thru the formalities while our wonderful companion for the trip, the Dark Grey Metallic R1200RT- fondly named “Naomi”, is all decked up and waiting for me. Yeah, all their bikes have names, and I was like a kid in a candy store admiring their range of spanking clean BMWs, Triumphs, Honda Goldwings/VFRs, Harleys etc













This arrow is to remind Americans & Europeans (probably a rider form Saudi Arabia as well!) that you ride on the left side of the road in NZ



Mike also plays me a wonderful DVD showing safety instructions, do’s & dont’s, as well as tips on signs & practices specific to NZ that new bikers should be familiar with like- one way bridges, curve speed warning signs, road bridge with railroad in the middle, sheep crossings, the dreaded kea mountain parrot etc. I pick up the bike and head back to our B&B. Leaving our heavy travel bags at the B&B, we soon load up our panniers, clip the Tankbag, sync the Intercom, set the GPS and are all ready for our seven day biking extravaganza in the South Island of NZ. Kick up the side stand, thumb the starter and the road trip begins……..



Despite the best intentions, we didn’t break with tradition and somehow managed to yet again have a fashionably late start to our first day of riding at 12:00noon! With close to 350kms to cover, only rain could slow us down, since sunset was anyway late at 21:30hrs. Besides, staying on the edge of the city made it easy as we didn’t have to navigate thru heavy city traffic and soon we were riding our way thru nicely laid open roads with sparse traffic & perfect climate. We are riding in the Canterbury region of the South Island heading west passing towns of Yaldhurst, Kirwee and before Sheffield, we merge left onto the scenic route 72 passing Homebush.













That’s a deer farm...tasty meat (more on that later!)















We stop at Staveley for lunch at the Staveley Café, where the friendly hostess Rebecca gives us some tips on the route ahead and we order Bagel with smoked Salmon and Cheese for our light lunch.



Refreshed we proceed ahead on Rte 72 passing Alford Forest, Mount Somers, Mayfield, Arundel and stop at Geraldine for Coffee. From there we turn right onto Rt 79 and head towards Fairlie and then negotiate the nice winding roads on Burke Pass.



Cows really looked confused- Is this extra-terrestrial or astronaut!!









































The all too familiar LUPIN plant of NZ





After some kilometers at a distance the turquoise blue awe inspiring view of a lake are slowly coming into view just before we finally see the full blown spectacular- Lake Tekapo on our right. What a sight!! Deeper into the trip we are mesmerized by the water colors of most major glacier fed lakes in NZ, which we learn is created by the rock flour deposited in the lakes from the glacier and these fine suspended particles in combination with sunlight create this unique blue color water. Nature’s own special effects studio!











After taking in the scenery, we continue further on Rte 8 and after about 45kms we are welcomed by an even bigger & overwhelming blue spectacle- Lake Pukaki. This lake is massive and even more fabulous especially with the background of the unending line of majestic snow capped mountains. At the lake side we meet a very friendly travelling couple from Germany- Stephan & Sara who are spending a good 3 months backpacking & driving thru NZ. I am jealous of such people...We exchange stories from the road and soon part in separate directions.

















Stephan & Sara from Germany



Jai Hind





Thereafter, we slowly make our way into the tiny & serene town of Twizel where we check into the Mackenzie Inn and call it a day after a simple dinner of Chicken Salad & Garlic Bread.