Doubtful Sound, at last in Fiordland!

Saturday 29th February (from A52 point to A53 point) The weather for the coming week looks good compared to what it has been in recent weeks. Late departure, after getting to know Anne-Riai, a German kayaker and climber living in NZ, and Ricky, ka ...

Manapouri, in great details

Wednesday 26th February (from A49 point to A50 point) North wind starts blowing from 6 o'clock, getting up to 15 knots. So it’s with facing wind that I’m heading towards Freeman Burn Hut. The West passage is a good training for Fiordland! The Hut i ...

[Agnès] Back on sea !

Saturday 15th Welcome and resting at Michelle and Murray’s has been more than comforting these last 3 days: bed, great food but also long talks and simple farming life fulfill the sadness of our trip interruption. Max and Thierry are now on their way cy ...

Analysis and decision …

Thursday 13th We are at a turning point on this journey; Max and Thierry decide to continue this tour of the island biking in order to reach Picton in about a month. Agnes wishes to continue her kayaking adventure in New Zealand, the route still to be de ...

Another great day ?

Wednesday February 12th Departure 7am under grayish sky. Thierry helps Agnès to launch through the shore break, then tries 3 times to reach the open sea. A wall of water falls on him, capsize, he sees his Kayak being crushed by the waves. Serious blow ...

A very nice day !

Tuesday 11th Feb Departure at 11am for Agnès and Thierry, starting with exit of the Mataura River estuary in centennial flood. "Sportive" passage in a brownish water bar. Agnes capsizes and returns to shore without damage for her second go. Thierry gets ...

What we didn’t tell

Max has a shoulderache since February the 1st, a pain which rises and does not allow him to paddle long distance. Eight days of forced rest due to bad weather and medical advices at Invercargill hospital didn’t help. On land, no pain and full mobility of ...

It looks like a long journey…on land

Tuesday the 4th After quite a damp night, a nice couple drive us at Invercargill, as weather won’t improve for a few days. We’ve let our tents on the free campsite at Fortrose and our kayaks in a garden nearby and find shelter at Tuatara Lodge. Wednes ...

New area, new atmosphere

Thursday 30th of Jan uary to Monday the 3rd of February Thursday 30th and Friday 31st : Wind warning for the afternoon, we’ve got to get off sea before 14:00. Passing Nugget Point in big swell is impressive but quickly over. We encounter the first pr ...

Treasures of Otago Peninsula

Saturday the 25th No paddling today because of the Southerly wind forecasted. The place where we’ve stopped is a Maori sanctuary. Our tents are well wind protected behind bungalows. We enjoy resting and Maryline, Heather and Max company. Thanks for your ...