Sheep-cows and Southland adventures.

We named our van Hau-we Hong Long. The Taiwan friends will get it. The rest will have to make do with the facts that it is red, has dragons on the seats and it is all good. This was the argument as we gave a decent Irish couple NZ$1600: "Renting a backpacker van will cost around $700 for the time we want it. With some elbow-grease and effort we can make Hau-we a home on wheels (H.O.W.-ie, if you pease) and sell it for almost the same amount we bought it. For all the rest, refer to Alfred E. Neuman's classic quote."

What, me worry? Nope, no worries. None at all. Hau-we performed above and beyond the 20 odd years that have passed beneath it's chassis. We never had a false start, dead battery, oil shortage, brake fluid problem or anything mechanically go wrong. Can't say the same for the bed in the back though. That almost lasted the first night. Almost. Paul would have been shocked at the workmanship of the bed and most likely would have had me sandpapering and hammering and forcing in long screws for days. (Which I ended up doing anyways after we got home. Thanks to Gary for the use of his tools and some helpful hints.)

Caila soon sorted out the order of things food-wise and managed to prepare meals as yummy and nutritious as those at home - if not more so. Loads of veggies and the decadence of garnish and viola! Instant healthy yummy grub from the camping stove. She also kept a journal (kind of) and excelled at navigating our way around the South Island.

I did the driving and continually shouted unheard obscenities at the maniacal drivers that crawl out of New Zealand's back parts. No seriously, one lady overtook me (Hau-we can only do about 95km/h if you wanna keep the fuel low) in the opposite lane - and stayed there while a car coming from the front had to swerve onto the gravel shoulder to aviod the head-on. Bonkers!

For the sake of brevity I will conclude by saying it was a magical trip, with memories that will stay forever and a few new catchphrases to match i.e. exceptional hospitality will evermore be known as a "Dave 'n Fay" (after the friendly folks who invited us into their home while they were gone to use their shower - and sometimes a shower is worth its weight in gold people!)

From the pages of Caila:
Monday, 16 April: Trippin in with Howie, south Chch on scenic route. Dead animals spotted = 32. Darwin Drivers Awards = 1Female. Stopped at Lake Pukaki for night in hayfield under starry cloudy skies.

Tuesday, 17 April: Sick of the Road morning muesli & yoghurt. Morning stroll around the base of mount Cook & other glaciers. Pieter is itchy. Too itchy. Discussed money-makin g schemes amongst talk of future dreams. Lunched in golden glade by sparkly stream & cleansed ourselves in Nature's beauty (went for a dip in Clutha River). Stoner survey and a night on the beach with bangers & spinach. Cloudless starry sky. Spotted a few shooting stars before bed.

Wednesday, 18 April: Searched for surf but only found sandflies and calm seas. Reststop toilet showers as bus pulled up - of course. Survey Day. All handed out!! Back to our beach spot for dinner by fireside.

Thursday, 19 April: Leftovers. Mornig German interrupted my pee, but dolphins brightened our day in the early morning sun. Picked up surveys. Showered & Scrubbed ourselves clean thanks to Fay & Dave behind 27 Haast. Lunched & munched with sandflies and sun. Germans are almost as common as sandflies in this place. Roadside camp beside Lake Wakatipu. Watched the stars rise & played n the cold.

Friday, 20 April: Early morning nukie as the sky exploded in color. Love is life is beautiful. Fiordland visit & small great walk along the lake at Te'Anua. A nap for me. Some honey purchased and sampled! Through Invercargill to the Southeast coast. Dirt road drive & camp at top of cliff - admiring the oceanview along with our sheepish company.

Saturday, 21 April: Morning muflzels. Petrified forest. Spotted a sheepcow - weird!! Dirt road driving again. Nugget Point. No waves at Kaka Point! Drove through Dunedin. Discovered there would be no shagging at Shag Point, but found a nice beachside campsite with precut firewood. Built a fire & skinny-dipped in the big blue. Enjoyed our beans & fire, then crawled in big red for sleepy time.

Sunday, 22 April: Picked up Andy hitchhiker from Huston and drove straight back to Christchburch.

And that's all folks.