New Zealand Touring

Ten members including six Rotarians and their friends visited new Zealand for Harley Davidson Touring. The trip was very interesting. It was started with welcome greetings done by Mayer himself in Cathedral Square and subsequent parade through Main Street of the Christchurch. One of the member broke two bikes and broken his feet in a mountain road. They all enjoyed flights in a small plain and chartered helicopter for taking aerial video of their climbing Port Hill near Christchurch. In a week, they run over 1,469km and some exceeded 1,629km.

An 40 minutes Video was edited and recorded in DVD-R by Thermal Connection.

First Day, February 9,  Departed Narita Airport

10 members departed Narita Airport at 16:00 by Flight NZ 34.

Second Day, February 10,  Arrived at Christchurch

They arrived Christchurch, New Zealand at 9:30. It was 10 hours flight from Japan.

Arrival at Christchurch Air Port

They stayed at Chateau Blanc Suites Apartment Hotel in Cranmer Square, Christchurch. (International Hotel Serial No.211)

One sidecar and three bikes shipped last December from Yokohama port and one rented car were waiting us at garage in the hotel. Other 4 members went to rental shop to receive rental cars.

When all were ready, they heard that Mayor Garry Moore and Garry Munch, the head of Christchurch Harley Davidson group will welcome us in Cathedral Square and that media will also be there.

After lunch, they set out to Cathedral Square and met Mayor and 25 local gang of HD group. After the ceremony, they all made a parade though main street, Colombo.

After that, all climbed Port Hill which lay between Christchurch and Port Lyttelton. Port Lyttelton lies 13 km south of Christchurch beyond the Port Hills in an ancient crater on Banks Peninsula. The Bridle Path, over the hills, has been superseded by two tunnels through them. All enjoyed drinks at pub in Christchurch.

News paper reported the event of yesterday at Cathedral Square.   After starting Christchurch, they stopped at Rakaia, Methven, Mayfield and hill top over looking Middle Valley.

After passing Burke Pass, finally they arrived at the Lake Tekapo around 16:30. You can see beautiful lake having clear emerald green color and beyond that, Mt. Cook.

The weather was excellent. They had taken many pictures here.

They have run 284km in that day.

All gathered in front of Church of the Good Shepherd and taken memorial photo.

Thy stayed at The Chalet Bontique Motel located at water front. (International Hotel Serial No.212)

They enjoyed the ride along the Lake Pukai.

It was rainy today. They have arrived at Edgewater Resort Hotel near the Lake Wanaka at 15:00. (International Hotel Serial No.213)

Six Rotarians attended regular Rotary meeting in Wanaka. Four non members visited Qeenstown which is located some 100km from Wanaka. They started Wanaka at 16:00 and returned at 17:10.

They have run 241km today, but men who visited Qweenstown add up another 160km. In total it is 401km.

After receiving an interview from local paper, Otago Daily Times at 9:00, all started toward Tasman Sea. They go up to north along left hand side shore of the Lake Hawea and later along right hand side shore of the Lake Wanaka.

along the Lake Hawea (Photo by Matsushita)

They stopped at Makaroa located at the north end of the Lake Wanaka.

After a rest, they again started toward Haast Pass then to Haast Beach.

Plants along Tasman Sea is more look like tropical plants.

Hiroto, a youngest member run out the road and jumped into a ditch. The bike was damaged seriously but he was safe. They started again after putting damaged bike on trailer of accompanying trailer.

Then they visited Franz Josef Glacier.

After a rest in a small town of Franz Josef Glacier, they started again.

Finally they arrived at Hokitika at 19:00. They have run over 432km. Probably, it is the longest distance in this trip. They stayed at Heritage Highway Hotels. (International Hotel Serial No.214)

Mr. Greenwood got up at 6:30. All started Hokitika at 8:00. After short stop at Greymouth, they visited the Lake Brunner and enjoyed flight in a small plane.

After refueling at Reefton, all arrived at Mauia Springs at 17:00. (International Hotel Serial No.215)

This resort is run by Japanese group who provided a travel support for us.

All enjoyed hot bath and Japanese Shabushabu dinner.

Just after start, Mr. Sugawara, a father of Hiroto run out of the road and damaged a sidecar and broken his feet. But fortunately, the sidecar had minor damage and could be used for the rest of the trip.

Mr. Sugawara retired into the supporting wagon. They encountered a flock of sheep crossing Route 7.

They took lunch at Norwester Cafe in Amberley.

When they have arrived at Christchurch, Mr. Sugawara went direct to Hospital for emergency check and confirmed broken feet. Other members had decided to rent two helicopters for taking photos while climbing Port Hill south of Christchurch.

One of member, Mr. Nakamoto had piloted one helicopter and other was handled by Ms. Takako Ogiwara, who is a owner of the Maruia Springs.

Professional video camera man took video of a gang climbing the hill. They have run 292km.

Eighth Day, February 16, Stayed at Auckland

Returned rented bikes and asked post touring checking for the rest of the bikes which has to be returned to Japan. Mr. Nakamoto decided to leave his sidecar in New Zealand for the next visit to New Zealand with his wife. Mr. Tokuyama purchased old model of Triumph. When he saw it, he felt as if he met his old girl friend again.

Support service provider, Thermal Connections showed us tools for the bridal service business. That is Ford-T model.

Departed to Auckland by NZ532, and arrived Auckland. They stayed in City Life Auckland. (International Hotel Serial No.216)

Departed Auckland Airport at 9:00 by NZ33 and arrived Narita without trouble.

2002/2/26

Three bikes and old model of Triumph were shipped to Japan in early March.

2002/3/6