Why is it raining at Arthur's Pass upset over and Campervans work 
to the mountains, the motto was this time. In storm and rain, the ride was not exactly a pleasure. Up and Down, Left and Right over ramps and steep switchbacks, it was towards the high mountains and the highest settlement in New Zealand to over 900 m above sea level, the famous Nor'wester blew vigorously and left for the west coast of nothing good guess. It is for sunny and warm in Christchurch, it is usually the weather is miserable on the West Coast. Floods with squall are not uncommon there. We were certainly prepared in our 4WD tanks relatively well against the forces of nature. We at least, others were less fortunate ...
saw In a pretty steep curve combination, we continue up the hill along the road slipping a white box, followed by fog and smoke. The truck, which now had some time before we went, with hazard lights ran left and we followed without knowing exactly what had happened. However, if a man from the white box at the Seitentuere sticking out where we suspect usually the roof, one becomes aware quickly that a was this insane campervans come with 13 inch tires skidded and tipped over easily in the curve. Luckily the truck driver had Kiwi short-wave radio, because on the pass road there is of course no cell phone reception. We walked up the street to the van and asked the man if anyone was injured. He held his first one about 1 year old counter in a basket. Great, I thought it'll be fun. His wife was down in the car somehow trapped and only with difficulty that he got rid of them. Except for a bruised shoulder but she was finally in order. When all were out there we pushed through the wreckage to allow the page to the congestion on the busy street. For the Danish family was complete once the holiday. Car Rental am A. ... , A shock and the mattresses in the dirt. The three were not to be envied. Good thing no one seriously injured and the child was secured in a basket with a belt.
We drove on towards the pass and checked in at the YHA. The village is notorious for the famous' inquisitive Kea, the mountain parrots chew everything and hide. On a car went the rubber roof frontiers-and the local gas pump was seized before set out to create finally the one-legged Kea in our brake light. With difficulty we could scare the naughty and the protected rare bird. These two Spassvoegel provided in any event for a fun afternoon.
made a breathtaking mountain scenery we have a small Hike to Devil's Punch Bowl, a rather impressive waterfall, which swept through the persistent rain a lot of water in the gorge. Beer and steak sandwiches and we tucked ourselves in an inn in the Swiss chalet style, before we sat together with our Mitbwohnern in the hostel at the fireplace.
The next day was rainy at the pass and the local ranger gave us the tip, go a little bit further south, for there the weather was much better. And it did. Just in front of us it was raining, the clouds were dense and we enjoyed a hike in the sunshine with pleasant temperatures. To bogs and past Fangorwald went to the summit. In between we stopped for a break in a mountain lodge and immortalized us in the guestbook. Some hikers spend the night even in the cabin. In addition to a fireplace was on the short bed space for 6 (unique, ambiguous) if you'd like to spend the second night in the mountains. After sandwiches and bananas, it went on towards the summit, where offered a vast panorama. Furthermore, the clouds with rain in front of us and we on the sunny side of life. We were the only people for miles around, just on our way back to us, a group against students who apparently wanted to spend the night in tents, or had to? We were definitely tired from the hike and made our way back to when the bright sunshine and summer temperatures continue towards Christchurch.
The next tour we will soon . Follow And drive carefully always nice ...
