THREE OUTSTANDING ROAD TRIPS ABROAD

1.NEW ZEALAND - 2006.
From Southernmost point to Northernmost point.
A 2-week visit. 24 Feb - 11 March from tip to tip, 3100 kms from Christchurch to Southernmost point Invercargill to Northernmost point Cape Reinga and back to Auckland.
Places visited: Christchurch (met famous Sikh scholar McLeod and his wife Margaret),Otaga Peninsula Castle, Dunedin, Otago Bay, Bluff, Southernmost point of NZ,Milford Sound, Milford cruise, Rain Forest - waterfall & pancake rocks, TeAnnuMtn with fog, Kumara Gorge, Queenstown (met Maninder Jeet Singh with car no. '1 Sikh' car, FJ - a town, where we stayed on West coast of Southern Island, Glacier waterfall, Franz Joseph Glacier, Gravity Canyon, Hotikaka, Kumara Gorge, Pancake rocks, Poonakaiki pancake rocks, Nelson Street, Picton harbour, Picton - Wellington Ferry, Red Salt pans, Wellington gurdwara, Geothermal power plant, (visit with Sikh author, Santokh Bhullar and Kirpal), Rotorua - thermal beds, Rua Oehu Mountain view, Taumarunui Golf Club, Hamilton Gurdwara on the roadside, Paihia, Mt. Eden, 90-mile beach. Saw in Auckland several Sikh taxi drivers.

2. USA - 2007: Visiting National Parks.
Covering 10 States, 28 National Parks, 10,000 kms, 20 days.
Visited following states and National Parks:
1. California (Lava Beds, Larsen Volcanic, Death Valley, Yosemite)(4)
2. Oregon (Crater Lake, Cascade NP, Columbia River Valley (3)
3. Washington (Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helen, Northern Cascades) (3)
4. Idaho. Nil
5. Montana (Glacier NP, Prairies, Origin of River Missouri) (3)
6. Wyoming (Yellowstone, Grand Tatton). Bought the bear which is still withus(2)
7. Utah (Bingham Open Pit Mine, Bryce Canyon, Arches NP, Zion, Cedar Breaks, Natural Bridges, Canyon Land), (7)
8.Colorado (Rocky Mountain NP, Millionaires Highway/Skyway, Peak to Peak Highway, Gunnison Canyon (4).
9. Arizona (North Rim of Grand Canyon), (1)
10. Nevada (Hoover Dam). (1).
Total - 28 nos.
We have yet to rank which was the best NP but certainly Utah had several National Parks. Driving was fun in Montana especially through the Prairies, speed limit non-existent, ok officially 75 mph). Colorado drives were picturesque and at high altitudes with a lot of old quaint mining towns of gold rush era. Bingham Copper mine of Kennecott (now Rio Tinto) was a sight 0.75 miles deep, same as Grand Canyon. USA is a vast country, but we did not realise this till this trip. It has beautiful sceneries of all types and dimensions, easily accessible by good roads. Facilities provided are excellent. Each National Park has a good Visitors Centre showing interesting film about the park. Driving, though tough because of high speeds, was easy. Excellent highway engineering and perfect road-signs to lead one through. Without a high calibre Navigator, it is almost impossible for an Indian car driver licensee to drive specially in big cities. We still had some missed turns here and there but by and large not many infringements except speeding - Sherrif let Swarn go without issuing a big ticket - turban helped, I guess. cars and highways are so good that one doesn't feel the speed. Driving within speed limit of 55 or 65 mph makes for very dull driving.
Weather wise we were lucky all through. Motels and hotels were reasonable and good. Our favourite chain was "Hampton Court". Wi-Fi internet is free in most motels. Continental breakfast is also available. Since Livleen does not like powder milk, we used to carry our own small carton of milk everywhere for tea. Many a hotels provide microwave and refrigerator in the room. Rooms are invariably spacious. Properties of chain hotels run by Indians were generally of lower up-keep. The shops at gas stations were our favourite for picking up juices, drinks and small eats. "Chilli" was Livleen's favourite soup food. Jack in the Box has good "kanthi rolls" called “chicken in the wrap". Picnic lunch, at least for me, was always a delight, cheese and tomato sandwich, chips followed by fresh peach fruit and chocolate. Toilets at Information Centres were always very clean. The reception at these places was always warm as not many people drop by. So, our entry in their Register was eagerly looked forward to. Plenty of literature and maps. Will we/I do such a trip again. Doubt it. But temptation is great for a couple of trips more.