Motorcycle Touring

Getting There

.NZ TOUR GETTING THERE

Arriving at PDX at 2:00 PM for a 3:10 PM flight, I was impressed with the service as I was pulled out of line and sent to the front for special handling due to the international nature of the flight. Our route took us from PDX to LAX (LA) to Sydney, AUS on United then a transfer to Air New Zealand to finally arrive in Christchurch. The total travel time was 26.5 hours and due to the crossing of the international dateline we jumped from Saturday to Monday. Sunday was lost somewhere on the other side of the world. We were well fed on the Sydney leg, as it was 14 hours and 3 meals. It is like a hospital, they wake you in the middle of the night to feed you. Australia is undergoing a flood condition but you can read about it on the internet. The Sydney Airport is not all that interesting and the flight departure monitor is not universally maintained with current flight information. We realize that we are now officially down under and the pace of life is different.

Arriving in New Z we are pleased with the friendly customs process and our guide, Rene from Holland, met us and drove us to the hotel. I discovered that Rene has a sister living in Astoria as he knew of Astoria’s new roundabout. Small world.

I will now introduce my ride and travel partner Masa Ellis who will be the primary photographer. I must share with you that I arrived with one bag and a carry on while Masa brought 4 bags. He is now officially “4 bag”. I now present 4 bag in all his glory coming out of the sleep that he was able to get in route. Sydney Airport also provided an opportunity for me to study the back of my eyelids in a much more comfortable venue .

Arriving at our Hotel in Christchurch we decided to take a walk to the town center through a beautiful park. Here the locals enjoy a series of Rugby-Soccer fields along with a golf course, circus and many jogging and walking paths. The beautiful Avon river runs through this park and is remarkably clear. Many tame Ducks inhabit the park with out fear.

On the other side of the park we enter the town center. The first complex of buildings

Christ’s College, a collection of Gothic buildings established in 1830. There are theaters, art studios, bookstores and restaurants along with a beautiful fountain and gardens.

Tomorrow we pick up our bikes and we are off for a warm up run to the coast to get used to driving on the “correct side of the road” and see a little countryside.

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