Richard Pokorny

Traveling / Vanlife / Backpacker / Surfing

[pokornyrichard]

- 4 WEEKS IN AMAZING LAOS (PART 2) - Getting local in this country could be sometimes quite a challenge but we took every chance and we loved it. From staying with local people from hill tribe villages, eating their simple everyday food, drinking Lao Lao (local rice whisky) or even Snake spirits to celebrating with them “The Pi Mai Lao” (Lao New Year). Photos: - Luang Namtha province - hill tribe village - Snake spirit in Luamg Prabang - Vientiane - camping in restaurant - street food and markets

[pokornyrichard]

- 4 WEEKS IN AMAZING LAOS (PART 1) - After 13 months living in New Zealand I met my other two good friends to travel Laos. Meeting point was Hanoi (Vietnam) where we planned to agree on a plan....which turned out to be non. So we booked overnight bus to Vientiane (the capital) and then the story began. We mostly rented motobikes to cruise around towns and national parks, used busses mostly for longer distances i.e. to Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha and down to 4000 Islands. We were lucky that the 10 days celebration of Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) just started on our arrival with water splashing everywhere and on everyone. Photos: - temple in Luang Prabang - Budha park in Vientiane - water festival in Luang Namtha - barber shop in Luang Prabang - sleeping bus Hanoi - Vientiane

[pokornyrichard]

My little project as I got too much involved with all the work after the November Earthquake. Knowing all the people here in Lyford and Kaikoura, and seeing what they have to deal with these days I came up with this idea to help if I can at least with few dollars.

[pokornyrichard]

Supplies and essentials are being delivered. Food is served in local welfare centre and I am back to vanlife. One of the local bar was able to open after several days so we took the chance to get a beer from tap and play cards 🍻

[pokornyrichard]

People being evacuated from Kaikoura by military ships and helicopters after the earthquake. Water and food is limited and the safest place for me now is getting back to vanlife on the hill above the town with people I know as aftershocks still carry on. Some friends and people we know decided to leave.

[pokornyrichard]

Earthquake in Kaikoura, New Zealand On the November 14th, 2016 just two minutes after midnight Kaikoura was hit by 7,8 magnitude earthquake that was followed by series of strong aftershocks. Roads to and from Kaikoura were distroyed and still blocked by massive land slips. Most of the tourists and people that wanted to leave where evacuated by helicopters and military ships. This place means a lot to me as I spent the winter on the local skifield and after ski season came down here to town for the summer.

[pokornyrichard]

Two weeks of woofing on organic farm in Abel Tasman's Marahau gave me the oportunity to explore the National Park for couple days and nights. Taking water taxi one way and walked 40km back was pretty cool and I was lucky to share this trip with this random traveller Laura who definately made my days brighter 👣🚶 The little cool cabin with red doors was my home 🏡 😎 September 2016

[pokornyrichard]

From Queenstown I had to come back to Wanaka as I felt in love with this place. Chris from my skifield crew decided to join me for couple days and I convinced him to camping at the Roy’s Peak. 🌄 Next day I was also finally able to put down my kayak on water on the lake Wanaka. 🚣

September 2016

[pokornyrichard]

One week roadtrip with The Lyford Crew from Kaikoura to Queenstown. After working and skiing the winter at Mt. Lyford it was a must to taste some of the other skifields in NZ. From the legendary ropetow called “Nutcracker” at small clubfield Craigieburn to massive alpine resort Cardrona with the most extensive terrain park facilities in the Southern hemisphere. Ending with a three days bender in Wanaka and Queenstown. 🚙💨 🏂🎿

[pokornyrichard]

The legendary "Nutcracker" at Craigieburn, South Island, New Zealand

[pokornyrichard]

This is one of many reasons why I love working on the alpine resort and teaching Skiing and Snowboarding. Here is my afternoon lesson of Snowboarding and well deserved after work hike with a little refreshment at the peak and then shredding the face of Mount Lyford again on skies 🏂🎿🌄

[pokornyrichard]

It's been already more then a month and I really love this place. Enjoying the work in the mountains.🏂🎿❄⛄ August 2016

[pokornyrichard]

Finally got enough snow to operate and officially open the Ski field. Here are few pictures from my first week. However, this winter is not the usual one and we struggle as we definatelly need more snow. Hopefully the time will come and we will get a decent cover. I live about 30min drive from the field in place called Mount Lyford Lodge and the sky here is beautiful 😀👍

[pokornyrichard]

Its been already 6 months since I landed in this beautiful country and as I am waiting for the snow to fall in Kaikoura, I decided to make this ordinary morning a bit special and took my camera with me 🌅🎵👍

[pokornyrichard]

One week trip from Tauranga (North Island) to Kaikoura (South Island) with these crazy friends from Argentina, Uruguay and Germany. Lots of fun and laughter. Nights spent in East Cape waiting for the first sunrise to see in the world, then backpackers in Gisborne, camping in the middle of nowhere, then Wellington and here I am in Kaikoura catching my dinner while waiting for the Ski season to start working at the Mount Lyford skifield. 🚗💨👍

[pokornyrichard]

Tanna Island, Vanuatu, Melanesia, Pacific 2016 - DAY 2 Exploring the main town Lenakel, its markets, nearby beach and its friendly people. And eating lots of bananas 🍌

[pokornyrichard]

Tanna Island, Vanuatu, Melanesia, Pacific 2016 - DAY 1 Eating local food, drinking local 'kava' and staying with local family with a view on Mount Yasur the active volcano.