Sleeping in my own bed and with fluffy
pillows was positively magical. I didn't want to get up. I think I
actually managed to sleep off
the cold I brought over from Australia. Perfect timing!
This morning I
started off with a run through the Auckland Domain (Gardens). It's
amazing how easily I remembered how to get there... even with the
year's time buffer.
Oh, and the view
outside my window (I could afford a room with a view!) was amazing.
Another thing I
recalled correctly: just how incredibly painful and difficult it was
to walk from BASE Auckland to the campervan rentals. It was agony.
All southerners
will appreciate this tidbit: when I arrived at the desk, the worker
was referencing my email to ensure that he had everything right. He
asked “you mentioned that you had booked with 'y'all' before... who
is 'y'all'?” I had to explain the southern slang to him. It was
awesome. Once I got my campervan, Wazza (yes, the name is actually on
the side of the vehicle), I headed out of Auckland. Nearly as soon as
I hit highway 1, I felt confident enough with my left-sided driving
and turned on the radio. The song “All by myself” blasted and I
about died laughing. Alone. In a camper. In NZ. Slightly weird. I've
come to terms with it. Other songs in the queue included “Feelin'
Lonely” by the one and only Backstreet Boys which incited another
riot of laughter.
On the way to
Coromandel I got lost. Be surprised. Somehow I ended up in the
Auckland airport.
I finally got my
bearings straight which lead me to SH25 which is NOT a highway. DO
NOT be fooled by the name. It's like the road to Paris Mtn Stables,
add some ferns, switch the sides of the road and add more sharp
turns. It was maddening. Gas, brake, gas, brake, sharp turn, gas,
brake, brake, gas, turn, gas, brake. Mad.en.ing.
The roads
eventually opened up to the coastline completely out of nowhere which
was positively breath-taking. It was one of those God moments where
there is just no possible way that He didn't form this land. It was
stunning.
Stopping along the
roadside, I had to take a few seconds to let the sights soak in. A
small family with their dog, Steve, had also stopped. After snapping
a few photos and chatting a bit with the family I was back on the
road, destined for Hahei.
The trek seemed
like it took FOREVER but in reality it was only about 3 hour's drive.
Looking at the map, I covered a LOT of ground in such a short time.
When I get gas I probably won't be as thrilled with my decision.
There are simply no
words to describe Cathedral Cove. A short 45 minute trek led me to
the most beautiful, pristine coastline with random rock outcroppings
and giant pinnacles in the water. I met a lovely family from India,
particularly on girl about my age who visits her uncle here quite
often. What a lucky, lucky girl.
On my way back
towards the carpark I chatted with an elderly kiwi couple for quite
some time. As it turns out, these two actually live in a motor home
and have been for the past 4 years. Originally from Christchurch,
they have spent their lives traveling around the North island since
they ran out of South island to explore a while ago. They also taught
me some local, and some what derogatory, lingo. The term? JAFA: just
another fabulous (transcribed slightly differently.. direct quote)
Aucklander. I love old people.
I explored some of
the other cove and bays along the way including Stingray bay, which I
had to myself, and Gemstone bay, also completely deserted. On my
return from the Gemstone bay, the rain started to sprinkle and
gradually increase. For this, I am thankful for ponchos. I'm going to
see what I want in this country rain, snow, or shine. My policy is
that if it is daylight I will be outside. If it is raining, add a
poncho.
I took my precious
time leaving the Cathedral Cove area but eventually parted with the
glorious coastline to drive to River Glen Holiday park.
Oh, and I found a
yak.
Of course, the
sunset was spectacular en route.
It is in the middle
of nowehere.
Correction, drive
to your perceived middle of nowhere, find a gravel road, follow that
for 4 kilometers and then you are at River Glen. The keeper was
lovely, taking breaks from our conversation to holler at her dog,
Luke, who was chasing her son's car out of the park.
Once in the
kitchen, I wasted zero time plugging in my dying laptop to start
writing about today. I'm sharing the teeny tiny kitchen facilities
with about 8 seasonal kiwi pickers, all from Solomon Island which is
right by Paupa New Guinea. They are all very kind, and offered me
dinner! It's great having company, even though the accent is rather
difficult to understand. However, we are all united by one thing:
tonight the All Blacks play Ireland. That would explain the surplus
of Irish at the BASE hostel. The TV that we're watching it on is
probably in the ballpark of 10 inches and every 15 minutes or so it
goes fuzzy and you have to change the channel back to one. Whatever,
it's TV. Except, despite our efforts, getting the game was a fail.
I think today I
have heard more than 10 accents (more if I count full-on languages),
each from different parts of the globe. Not one of them was from the
states. Going home will be weird and so.. boring.
Love the pictures, particularly the ones with you in them.
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