Driver leaves German backpacker high and dry
Before coming to New Zealand a German backpacker never expected a hitchhiking experience to turn so horribly wrong.
Julius Wagner, fresh out of school, was excited after arriving in the country on his first OE.
He was travelling alone and did not think that three weeks down the track he would be standing on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere with all his belongings gone.
The 18-year-old arrived in Napier last week for the fruit picking season but with it not starting until the end of February, decided to explore the Central Plateau.
“I . . . took my two backpacks and hung out on the road near the airport with my thumb out in hope of getting to Taupo.”
A while later a man pulled over and offered to take him some of the way to Taupo.
Wagner thought that was better than nothing so chucked his two bags in the boot and jumped in the front seat.
The pair went from the airport to the BP in Bayview where the man filled his car up and got an icecream.
“We then started to drive in the direction of Taupo and maybe 25 minutes later we got to Te Pohue just outside the pub. He stopped the car and said I had to get out.”
The 18-year-old thanked the driver and before he had the chance to grab his bags from the boot the car sped off leaving the German high and dry.
“As soon as I shut the door he drove very fast away from me. People at the Te Pohue Hotel saw it happen and they ran over to me as I was standing there with nothing.”
The group then tried to catch the man in another car but he had already gone too far ahead.
Wagner had lost everything. His small bag carried his passport, visa papers, laptop, bank cards and a GoPro and his big bag was filled with clothes and shoes.
Since arriving in the country Wagner had already filled his GoPro and laptop with some of his memories and experiences.
The couple at the Te Pohue Hotel took Mr Wagner in for the night and gave him the necessities before he headed back to Archie’s Bunker, a backpackers in Napier.
“They were so friendly and kind and looked after me really well. She even drove me to Napier the next morning.”
He spoke to police who were working to catch the man by looking through footage at the BP in Bayview.
The German Embassy was to sort him out with a new passport and visa in Wellington.
The young traveller has already set up a new bank account and organised some new belongings.
“I am travelling alone so it is not something you want to experience. I never expected it to happen here and it has not made for a good start of my trip.”