What it's like Living out of a camper-van for 3 weeks:

Name: EuroTourer

Dimensions: 7m long x 3m width x 2.8m high

Appliances that work only when plugged into electricity:
- Microwave
- Plugs
- Air conditioning ( not needed on this trip :)

Les appareils qui ne marche que lorsque le van est connecte a une prise:
- Micro-onde
- Prises
- Climatisation

Appliances that work even unplugged:
- Hobbs
- Lights
- Shower/ toilet flush
- Fridge
- Heater

Les appareils qui marchent sans source d'electricite (qu'avec la batterie) :

- Plaques de cuisson (gaz)
- Lampes
- Douche/ toilettes
- Frigo
- Chauffage

Photo ID:

Above  picture - This is ours...

Below picture - Thank GOODNESS this is NOT ours! 

When one decides to live in a camper for 3 weeks, this means:
Avoir decide de vivre 3 semaines dans un van ca veut dire:

1) Getting used to anticipating parking spaces whenever approaching towns or supermarkets, making sure we, well Sophie actually, will be able to park the beast.
*Bonus would be without Nathalie arguing she could do it better by doing it a different way!

1) tenter de trouver une place de parking appropriee lorsqu'on arrrive en ville ou dans un supermarche

2) Deciding whether we need plugged or unplugged every night.
2) Decide si on a besoin de brancher le van ce soir la ou non

3) Finding a camping spot.
Options are:
- DOC campsite - no powered sites but nice scenery. Only $6 per adult per night
- Private campsites - all facilities available and more expensive
- Free camping - only available to self contained vehicles i.e. US! Totally free. We loved when these were available!

3) Trouver un camping
Nos options: 
- Camping DOC - pas d'electricite, ces camping appartiennent au departement de conservation. Seulement 6$ par nuit par personne
- Camping prives - Tout le comfort possible (cuisine, douches, ...) mais beaucoup plus cher
- Camping sauvage - seulement possible pour les vehicules avec toilettes comme nous. 

Example of a DOC "Self Check-in", sounds more like "chicken" when a kiwi says it.

You sign in and someone comes round to collect the fee in the morning, or you leave money in the "Honesty box"

4) Once parked up for the night, cooking time.
4) Une fois garees, c'est l'heure de cuisiner

5) Jump out, even in the pouring rain to turn on the gas in order to cook. MUST be off whilst sleeping or driving!
5) Sortir du van meme quand il pleut des cordes pour ouvrir la bouteille de gaz pour cuisiner. Doit etre absoluement ferme la nuit ou pour la route

6) Cook & and enjoy the meal
6) Cuisiner et manger

7) One of us does the washing up whilst the dining area gets transformed into a bed.
7) Une fait la cuisine pendant que l'autre transforme l'espace de jour en espace de nuit

Washing up

The bed

8) Turn off the gas!
8) Eteindre le gaz

9) Go to bed
9) Se coucher

10) Wake up, eat breakfast and get ready to depart again and re transform the bed into a dining and living area
10) Se reveiller, manger ptit dej et se preparer pour le depart, retransformer le lit en salon

11) Unplug the cord if we re plugged in and make sure what.... Who's been paying attention? Yes make sure the GAS is off!
11) Debrancher le van et faire attention que la bouteille de gaz soit bien fermee

12) Get back on the road to discover a new place, new sceneries etc....
12) Et nous revoila en route !

Things to expect: Ce a quoi on peut s'attendre :
- Whilst the camper is being driven, jump up to go and close whichever cupboard or draw has just shot open.. BANG! because it hasn't been locked properly! Happens' every time and the "killer eye" war starts to try and guess who's fault this is!

- Lorsque le van est en route, un tiroir ou un placard s'ouvre....A chaque fois il y en avait un ou deux de mal fermes... (Toujours de la faute de Nathalie)

- Empty the waste water (water from the shower and sink), every 2 or 3 days, in appropriate 'Dump stations'
PIC

- Vider le reservoir d'au sale (l'eau de la douche et de l'evier) Tous les 2 ou 3 jours... Petit tour a la station d'epuration

- Empty the, let's call it, 'Pooh Box', every 2 or 3 days in, again a 'Dump station'

- Vider ce qu'on appele la 'boite a caca' et encore un petit tour a la station d'epuration

- Being shaken around like a barman shakes his cocktail if its windy at night!

- Se faire secouer pendant la nuit dans tous les sens par des bourrasques de vent

- Getting into the routine of 'making the bed'... mum, thanks for the training for all these years, it's come in use :)

- Faire le lit le soir et le defaire le matin et rebelotte tous les jourrrrrrssss

- Doing a little cleaning to ensure the best quality of life.

- Laver le linge 

When it's raining outside, one has to be a little inventive!

Nelson to the North Island - NZ part 2

NELSON

We spent a couple nights resting in this lovely town, nice restaurants, kitesurfing spots and the campsite was just a walk away from the beach.
We also treated ourselves to an evening restaurant meal (1st in NZ) and went to 'The Boat Shed'. Funnily enough, the waiter that was taking care of our table had worked in the same hotel as me for several years in London and we ended up enjoying several complimentary side dishes and desserts. Oh how this world is funny! Or as all the Brits would say 'what a small world we live in hey!'.

Nous sommes restees 2 nuits dans cette petite ville cotiere au nord de l'ile du Sud de la Nouvelle-Zelande. Nous sommes allees diner au boat shed, un restaurant gastronomique en bord de mer. A peine entree dans le restaurant Nathalie a reconnu le serveur qui avait travaille 5 ans plus tot dans le meme hotel qu'elle a Londres.... Le monde est vraiment petit ! Du coup... on a eu des plats et desserts gratuits ! Miammmm

Nat in the Sunset

Breakfast in bed! =)

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

We spent a full day kayaking in the Tasman Sea. Unfortunately the conditions were rough and the boat that drove us out there was hence, rough. Poor Sophie ended up being sea sick on the boat AND on the kayak. Poor her, the first time in her life she had ever felt sea sick!


Nous sommes allees faire du kayak des mers pendant une journee entiere dans la mer Tasman. La mer etait completement dechainee. Pauvre Sophie a eu le mal de mer dans le bateau pour rejoindre les kayaks et sur le kayak !!!! Pour quelqu'un qui n'a jamais eu le mal de mer ! C'etait un bon debut lol

Ready to go

Self Portrait #1

Self Portrait #2

BLENHEIM/ MARLBOROUGH AREA

We went to a Food & Wine festival there in order to taste the Marlborough wines and food speciality of the region. There were interesting and I guess typical kiwi options such as 'Oyster Pie'...hmmm not!

Nous sommes allees a un festival des vins et de la gastronomie de la region de Marlborough. On y a trouve des choses interessantes comme des tartes aux huitres...

FROM SOUTH TO NORTH ( please skip this bit if you are in the middle of eating or feeling a bit queasy )
We booked onto the 7pm ferry that would take us across the 'Cook Stretch'.
Well, as we  got comfortable in our seats, they announced there was going to be 'a mild swell', but all good, we were already 30 mins into the 3h30 long trip and all was fine, however, it was not long before the waves got bigger, much bigger. More and more people were heading to the freezing cold and wet outside deck for some 'fresh air'... But the whole boat suddenly turned into absolute carnage. Faces, white as snow everywhere zombying around the boat...mothers, dads, posh ladies, old grannies, larger builds, high heals, all dignity was put aside and all these poor people were hugging several 'sick bags', running to the loo, outside, and counting every minute before which they would be on firm land. Mummy, (Nat s Mum) I can hear you saying 'well how was my little baby feeling then?'... Well you would have given me several of those looks and pat on the leg as I too headed out and was exactly 'in the same boat' Ha Ha! What an appropriate joke! Sophie and I both spent most of the trip outside, in the cold and wet darkness.

DU SUD AU NORD
Nous avons reserve nos places pour le ferry afin de rejoindre l'ile du nord. Bien assises comfortablement apres avoir gare notre van dans le ferry. Le capitaine nous annonce en ce jour de pluie que la mer est un 'peu' agitee. Le debut de la traversee s'est tres bien passee, apres une trentaine de minute le defile de gens malade a commence.... La traversee dure 3h30.... et tout le monde semblait deja malade apres 30 minutes.... On voyait de plus en plus de gens courir prendre l'air... les enfants, les hommes, les mamies, certaines personnes plus distinguees n'ont pas etaient epargnees, Nathalie a passe une bonne partie de la traversee dehors au froiddddd. Sophie a eu la super idee de commander des frites sur le bateau.... Nathalie n'a pas reussi a les garder. oupssssy Mais on a survecu !!!

WELLINGTON/ TAUPO
We visited Wellington and went to the famous TE PAPA museum in the city and then drove midway to lake TAUPO and stayed in a DOC campsite.
Sophie spent all night imagining how we would 'Get away' if the old couple next to us in a tent who were getting tipsy with vodka and coke were to suddenly attack us lol..... didn't happen! lol

On a visite Wellington et le musee TE PAPA, tres interessant principalement les explications et images sur les tremblements de terre. On s'est ensuite dirigees vers le Lac Taupo et nous sommes arretees dans un camping au bord d'un lac.
Sophie a passe la nuit a stresser a cause de nos voisins qui avait bu un peu trop de vodka a son gout hahaha

TAUPO/ ROTORUA
Lake Taupo is the biggest lake in New Zealand and is actually the crater of a volcano. There are several hot springs around this region as there are so many volcanoes which create these.
We therefore stopped off at "secret" falls which was great! just a handful of people and a very hot waterfall joining a cold lake. The sensations were great. Normally if one is in the sea and feels a hot patch, one wonders eek, has someone just had a pee here and moves on, but here it was pure hot/boiling water, so great and relaxing!

Le lac Taupo est le plus grand lac de nouvelle-zelande, il s'est forme dans le cratere d'un volcan il y a des millions d'annes, Il y a pas mal de sources d'eau chaude dans la region. Nous nous sommes arretees au bord d'une riviere qui etait croisee par un courant de plus de 90 degres C. Pas mal du tout le chaud froid entre le lac et le courant chaud !

An interesting bench - To make us feel as though we were in Sochi =)

Kiwi speciality obviously, sheep hearts... 

Great array of colourful ciders!

Nat at "Spa Road" Falls

Sophie posing

Chatting with Belguim and French people.

Waikite Valley Hot Springs 

The steam is coming out of the stream and bubbling water coming from deep down 

In New Zealand, 'Corner shops' are all called 'Dairies'

TAURANGA
From Rotorua, we headed to Tauranga. An unknown city to us, but actually quite big and a beautiful beach that offers great surfing and a nice medium size town centre. We actually said, the first city/town we have actually come across in which we would actually live. We also stayed at Pam & Ron's place. Pam is my Nat's english grandmother's cousin's daughter.. got that? LOL. Well, they welcomed us in their lovely house and we had a great evening socialising with all members of their family including 'chucks'.... i.e. chickens in NZ and sheep.

Apres Rotorua nous sommes allees au nord vers Tauranga. Assez grande ville cotiere. Nous avons passe la nuit chez Pam et Ron. Pam est la fille de la cousine de la grand-mere anglaise de Nathalie. Vous suivez toujours ? Ils ont ete supers, nous on cuisine un genre de pot au feu avec les legumes du jardin et nous on fait faire le tour de la ville.

Nat posing with the 'chuck'

Sophie looking like she's just run after this chicken for hours!, but no, she's just slightly unsure what to do with it!

Pam & Ron

Nat trying to communicate

Soph and Hugh...erm You... erm Ewe..

Sophie had difficulties pronouncing the name 'Hugh', our friend in Sydney.. it came out more as a "ewe".

One month to travel New Zealand - part 1 South Island

24th January 2014, we land in Christchurch at 1am and make our way to the motel we had booked closest to 'Apollo' Pick up point for us to go and pick up our 'Home' for the coming three weeks.

24 janvier 2014, on a atterri a Christchurch a 1 heure du matin avant d'aller dans un petit motel proche du loueur de camper van 'Apollo'

Our Monsta EuroTourer - 2 berth!

 

Explanation:

• The device on the right is well known amongst all of us and initiates many rows. Yes, a GPS, you got it!
• The device on the left is our  best friend and allows us to capture and listen to 'Tourism Radio' wherever we are as it locates our camper van via satellite. Very informative it tells us about NZ history, places to see on the way, the best campsites etc as well as great 'sing along songs' during our long drives. I've always loved discovering the 'actual' lyrics to a song I use to mumble to in my early teens!

Explications:

• Le petit appareil sur la droite du pare-brise est bien connu sous le nom de GPS (a l'origine de nombreuses disputes)
• Le petit appareil a la gauche du pare-brise est notre meilleur ami, il nous a permis d'ecouter la radio touristique reliee au satellite. Il reconnait nos coordonnees GPS et nous informe sur les lieux ou nous nous trouvons, histoire, endroits a ne pas rater, meilleurs sites de camping etc.

 

CHRISTCHURCH
We then went to visit Christchurch town and were blown away to see the extent by which the city had been hit in the 2010/2011 earthquakes. So much of the town was still under reconstruction, however you could feel the positivity and the fact that they had reconstructed the 'city centre' with what they could....'The Cardboard Church' & and 'The Container mall'.....

Nous sommes ensuite allees visiter Christchurch, et avons ete choquees par l'etat dans lequel la ville est toujours après les seismes de 2010 et 2011. La ville est toujours en reconstruction, un petit centre ville a ete reconstruits en tolle et une eglise en carton....

The Cardboard Church

Inside the church. This is also used for concerts etc

The Container Mall

This is how good life is for Sophie right now!

After our tour visiting Christchurch, we went to visit one of Nathalie's friend/ colleague from the Olympics (yes yet another one) parents. Like most Kiwis, they welcomed us with opened arms and we were treated to home grown veggies and hunted down venison!

We also got to know what it was like to be a Kiwi from pure locals on our second night in this great country, so pretty full on!. Nat showed them our camper-van and here we all are in it!

Apres notre visite de Christchurch, nous sommes allees rendre visite aux parents d'une amie de Nathalie des JO. Super accueillants, ils nous ont prepare a diner avec les legumes du jardin et la recolte de la chasse, de la biche.
Ils etaient super impressionnes par notre camper van !

AKAROA
We headed from Christchurch to Akaroa. Because of colonisation, this is the closest to A'French Town' that New Zealand can offer! One could only access this small place by driving on small winedy road which of course made Sophie scream left right and centre as soon as it looked like we were going to drop off a cliff, but I was in control!.  We finally found a lovely free spot to stay overnight. The following day, we went to see Hector Dolphins and Seals....

Nous avons continue notre chemin a l'est de Christchurch  en direction d'Akaroa. Le seul moyen d'atteindre ce village etait pas une route sinueuse avec Nathalie comme chauffeur... le ravin n'etait pas bien loin je peux vous le dire ! Suite a la colonisation ce petit village se revendique francais... Le nom des rues est francais mais c'est a peu pres tout ! Le lendemain matin nous sommes parties a la recherche des dauphins Hector !

The view from our pad. Sophie had a somewhat sleepless night as she was too worried whether or not the van was going to tip over because of the strong winds.

Hector Dolphins

 

Doggy in the boat, wearing a life jacket, of course, who alerted us of incoming dolphins.

Soon to be Nathalie if she continues eating as she does with no sport! (Trop tard...)

LAKE TEKAPO
Our drive was soon submerged with amazing blues....blues from the sky, from the water, from everywhere!

La suite de notre route a vite etait submerge par une eau d'un bleu percant, le ciel et surtout les lacs !

Lake Tekapo & breakfast view

 

A little breakfast visitor

 

 Nat petrified after having seen something move in the bush

 

 

Nat loving her stone skipping

LAKE PUKAKI
Another amazing lake with jaw dropping mountains in the background.
Un autre lac d'un bleu magnifique ... Bravo Sophie pour cette photo magnifique !

 

 

 Nat making Sophie jump... BOO!

 

On our way, we stopped off at boulders beach. A beach covered in massive boulders!

 

 

DUNEDIN
Our highlight here was Nat @ the Cadbury World Shop.. see that smile!
And finding a great spot the next morning to have breakfast =)
But please do not get me wrong, I am sure this actually surprisingly big city has a lot to offer. Especially as we had never heard of this city.

Le meilleur moment pour Nathalie de la visite.... Cadbury World... Pour les francais, cette marque de chocolats anglais tres peu gouteuse est tres repandue dans les payx anglosaxons...heureusement qu'on en a tres peu en France :-s Beurk !

 

 Perfect breakfast spot

 

ARROWTOWN
We stop off in this lovely village for the night as it was only a few kms away from Nat's Bungy jump booked for the next day! Beautiful village full of nice cafes, restaurant but still a feel of saloon! bizarre!

Nous nous sommes arretees dans ce super petit village a quelques km du saut a l'elastique de Nat reserve pour le lendemain... Beaux petits cafes et restaurants.

BUNGY JUMP
Who says Queenstown says adrenaline sports and hence bungy jump! So many times in my life, Nat had been told 'You have to go to NZ, you'll love it'. Well here I am (Nat) and 'I am gonna love it'.
Nat chose the 'Original 43 metres high Karawau Bungy Jump'. This is where bungy jumps first started and the great thing was that one could chose to be 'dunked' in the water... just like you all do with your... digestive biscuits in your tea (that is if you are english) or croissant in your coffee (if you are french!).
Nat went to check in i.e. was weighed, went to get strapped in and jumped.

SAUT A L ELASTIQUE
Qui dit Queenstown, dit sport d'adrenaline donc... saut a l'elastique !Tout le monde a toujours dit a Nathalie qu'elle adorerait la Nouvelle-Zelande. Nat a choisi de sauter d'un pont de 43m au dessus de la riviere Karawau. C'est ici que la folie mondiale des sauts en elastique a debute. Nat s'est faite peser, attachee et la voila dans les airs.

PS: Sophie etait petrifie a l'idee de voir Nathalie sauter....

This is me after having been weighed. And please don't try squinting!

 

 

 

Video to follow shortly

QUEENSTOWN
During our stay in Queenstown, we decided to stay at a DOC (Department of Conservation, not conversation!). These kind of campsites provide you with the absolute minimal and hence the price is much cheaper than other campsites. We enjoyed a morning dip in the 8 degrees lake...hmmm what a brisk wake up!

Lors de notre arret a Queenstown, on a decide d'aller dans dans un camping du department de conservation. Ce genre de campings ont le minimum de services et du coup sont peu onereux. On a adore se baigner dans le lac a 8 degres a 8h du matin...

Nathalie suffering on the background

 

Jet Boating in the river. This guy is a real pilot!

 

 

 Burger at Fergburger. The best place in Queenstown.. you'll guess it by the length of the queue!, but well worth the wait! And no, for those of you who are thinking this, I do not weigh 33kgs! I wish lol!

 

Les Hamburgers de Fergburger ont une renomee mondiale! Une longue file d'attente 35 minutes d'attente et a nous le mega burger !!!

 

 

 

A rare phenomenon.. Sophie cleaning!.. quick take a picture.. just joking!

Nat and a typical Kiwi =)

Pre season Rugby Game

The Highlanders vs Brumbles

 

FRANZ JOSEPH GLACIER

 

On our way to this glacier,  we visited several falls and other hidden beauties

En route vers le glacier, visites de chutes d'eau :-)

 

The blue pools

Waterfalls

Franz Joseph Glacier in the background