Since I last wrote, we’ve become acquainted with Delores, the world’s ugliest campervan and younger sister of Delilah (our trusty sidekick in Australia in 2004), and travelled about 1100kms in an exceptionally zigzaggy route from Auckland, down the west coast of the north island, onto the ferry in Wellington and onward down the east coast to Christchurch, stopping in to see old friends along the way. Rich has put his back out yesterday morning, meaning I had some time to sit down, go through notes and offer up a summary of thoughts from our first week in NZ, and there’s plenty of rain falling this morning, meaning I have time to finish up a couple of posts AND include some photos (woohoo!).
Our first stop was New Plymouth, which I think may rank as a highlight by the time the trip is done, if for no other reason than that the weather forecasters seem to have a habit of predicting the worst weather possible, making it a delight when ‘gale force winds’ translates to ‘brilliant afternoon sunshine’. There was the most delicious coffee I’ve ever had in a particularly spectacular setting, my first experience with chocolate fish (expecting a crunch when these is none can be quite confusing), cricket, the Festival of Lights, a picnic on a lawn while watching a concert, a septic cleaner company whose phone number is 0800 POO TAXI, and a guy who would rather stick his penis in a toaster than go see a particular person. I kid you not.
Jan 10 – Mike’s Brewery, New Plymouth (ish – probably doesn’t actually count as being in New Plymouth):
They’re “here to do beer and do it well.” Can’t say that I know whether I can agree with them, being that I don’t drink beer, but the cider and pizzas are pretty remarkable (even if the pizzas are painfully slow in the making). Beautiful setting, cute little patio including a seat fit for a giant with a table to match and the world’s ugliest dog, who happens to have an aversion to hugs from small children. Don’t know if it was the cider, the roof, the weather or the company (though I’d very much like to think it was the latter), but there was a definite rosy glow to the afternoon.
White Cliffs, New Plymouth (again – ish):
Parking confusion, black sand, beach excitement, laughter.
Ky and Ren’s exceptionally informal maternity shoot was a success, as was our tootle along the shore. Ren made a new besty in the person of Stanley, a supremely talented (read: “lucky”??) shell gatherer. Awesome sandstone (I think?) cliffs carved out by the sea Enough driftwood to make one wonder how it’s possible that Taranaki hasn’t been established as the driftwood furniture mecca of the world.
Jan 11 – New Plymouth to Waikawa:
Mount Taranaki came out to play today on our way out of Taranaki!
“OOOOooooohhhhhh……” … “Whooooooooaaaaaaa…….”… “SHED!” (I’m working on an idea for a series of photos) … “Let’s stop there!” … “Where does that road go? Let’s find out.” (did I mention we haven’t bothered buying a map yet?) “Hey that looks like a golf course. Oh, never mind. Can’t be. There are sheep on it. Nope, wait, there’s a guy with clubs next to the sheep!” Mountains so breathtaking that, in your attempt to take them all in – some forested, some drizzled with snow – your eyes dart across the length of them like a kid with ADD at a wedding candy bar. This is how you can make a 160km drive turn into an epic 7-hr adventure.
Number of times during today’s drive that I said “Whoa” aloud: 4. Number of times I said it in my head: 62.
The shed project continues to develop and a hedgehog crossing made for a bit of novel excitement in a country not famous for varied wildlife sightings (unless you’re an ornithologist). Arrived at Waikawa Beach in time to have a good wander, find a conch and countless dead boxfish (ugh), then drive to the campsite – and straight into a mud puddle that trapped us until we got help from some fellow campers. Beautiful sunsets: 1.
Total sunburns: 2.25 (You’d think I’d have learned by now. Sorry, Mom.)
Grateful for: Big Wave coffee (delicious), black sand (looks cool, but also makes your feet look like there’s a serious fungal infection happening), driftwood (pretty), old friends (always good to see them, and might not’ve found some of the Naki’s treasures otherwise), Mike’s cider (notice a trend starting here?).
Next up: a ferry crossing and sunsets to die for.
