News may have reached you all halfway across the world that New Zealand is in the grip of the coldest winter for 80 years and Auckland even had the coldest day on record a few days ago. Yes, aren't I lucky to be here in such wintery temperatures!! Actually it isn't that bad to be honest, up here in the North Island it isn't as cold as it would be for snow in England. That seems weird but I've been far colder all trussed up walking to work in London when we've had the heavy snow over the past couple of years than I am over here.
But it does mean that plans have to be a little fluid at the moment to tie in with whatever the weather is doing. Mountain biking take two was scuppered yet again, this time because of the snow and ice rather than the rain the day before. Really wanted to get back out on the bike and test out the NZ tracks but t'was not to be. I also cancelled the white water rafting that I'd booked as I really didn't fancy being frozen to the bone in an icy river. Wimping out again I know. The guy on the phone tried to persuade me that 20 people were out on the river as we spoke but I wasn't buying it.
Instead I headed off for my first sighting of a native kiwi (not the human kind but the real avian variety). At Rainbow Springs wildlife park they had a kiwi encounter that took you through the hatching process and then you got to see three resident birds in the sanctuary. You would not believe how huge their eggs are compared to the size of the bird, poor things. But the females get to do a runner straight after they've hatched and the males have to do all the hard work after that. If only that translated into human life I can think of a few female friends that might be happier!
I then drove through the stunning countryside yet again to reach the Hobbiton movie set for a tour of the little hobbit houses from Lord of the Rings on my way to Tauranga, my home for the night. It was great fun getting the tour of the land, if a little chilly out in the icy wind. First the tour guide had to get rid of a couple of errant sheep who'd infiltrated the set. Now I'm sworn to secrecy on the details having signed a confidentiality agreement but I have seen some new sets for the upcoming Hobbit film, which they haven't started filming yet. There were lots of warnings about not ruining or touching anything otherwise the whole operation might be shut down. But we all behaved ourselves, took lots of pictures and then went on our merry way.
I was feeling pretty knackered with a massive headache by the time I got to my hostel for the night. This wasn't helped by the unfriendly atmosphere in the place and the inhabitants all seemed a bit strange. So it wasn't a great night, especially when the water was off in the morning and I couldn't even have a shower. Was feeling a bit low and fed up with crap hostels and being a bit lonely on the road. However, just when you are feeling like that you then rock up to another place and it's completely the opposite.
After breakfast I headed off to climb Mount Maunganui. Everywhere you go there seems to be some kind of mountain or lookout point to climb. All those volcanoes! But it was a beautiful view and I had to shed far too many layers as it was actually pretty warm in contrast to the previous day. I seem to have totally lost my fitness levels since all that cycling and walking in Asia, much to my chagrin. I huffed and puffed my way up the steep tracks but it was worth it for the view. And I felt so much better after that so I definitely need to get off my backside and do more exercise from now on. Got too used to zooming around in my little car and being too inactive.
A two-hour drive, far too many windy roads making me a bit sick and several cheesy songs on my ipod and I arrived at my final road trip destination for now, Witianga. A very cute little hostel overlooking the beach, pretty quiet but with some nice people in contrast to the night before. I then received some fabulous news from home, which made me feel a very long way away and I just wanted to hug everyone in sight. Let's just say a best friend now has a big sparkler on her finger. I settled for a glass of wine to celebrate and a bit of tv, one of the first times I've really watched it since I've been here. An hour or so later and my roommate and I were having to switch rooms as our doorknob was knackered and we were in danger of getting stuck in or out as the door wouldn't open. As luck would have it we got moved to our own little unit so we had a room each and a bit of peace and quiet. Result!
I was feeling all wistful and emotional after the good news so I told my roomie I was going for a walk on the beach in the moonlight. She decided to join me so we had a good chat in the moonshine, it was so bright and just looked beautiful reflecting off the water.
A solid night's sleep later and it was time to pack up the car again and head back down the coast for the most stunning walk to Cathedral Cove. The weather was pretty mild and sunny again so I was shedding the layers as I went, despite being all wrapped up only that morning as I set off. Can't keep up with the weather changes. The cove really was spectacular with gleaming white sand, sparkling blue and very clear sea and more interesting rock formations to photograph and gawp over.
That afternoon I picked up my roommate from another hostel that she'd moved on to and we set off for Hot Water Beach. You rent a spade from the local cafe and at low tide set off up the beach to find the scorching hot water under the sand. The most bizarre thing to dig a big hole, get your bikini on in the middle of winter and sit soaking up the thermal springs next to the cold and uninviting sea. It was getting pretty busy by the time we left but it was time to head off in the car back to Auckland.
Another couple of hours later and I was back at my usual hostel here in the city. Big mistake coming back here in a way! I should have stayed somewhere near the city and saved myself the hassle of no more dorm rooms left and driving around for an hour trying to find a parking space somewhere before returning the car tomorrow morning. Lord knows how much the car park I eventually found in sheer desperation is going to cost me. I'll have to worry about that tomorrow. Got some packing and minimising of baggage to do before I catch a flight to Wellington tomorrow (weather permitting). That's all for now folks...
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