Saturday, November 20, - We spent a few hours in downtown Paihia and then drove just outside town to our campground at Waitangi. In the evening, we drove back into town and went to Salty’s for a drink and gee, guess what, Steve (a Scot), the bartender/manager, remembered Geoff from January when he was last here! J There were just a few people in there so it was a quiet night until we left and some drunken young man was trying to box with the bouncer outside! Back to camp we went!
Sunday, November 21, - We walked past the restaurant “The Sugar Boat Bistro” that once actually hauled sugar cane and has an interesting history (it was an art gallery, a museum, too) over a bridge to the site where the treaty for Waitangi was signed. We had a cappuccino and walked back to camp via the beach and I found a pretty shell. Not as pretty as the one Geoff found me over at Russell (a flat fan shaped one that was kind of a burgundy color and just beautiful!). It was a very sunny but windy day so when we got back and had some lunch, I took the bedding and other washing and did the wash and hung it out on the clotheslines there. While the wash was drying we went to the store to pick up a couple provisions and fuel up the campervan (it took 55.5 liters—how many gallons is that?). Then a short drive to see Haruru Falls (a smaller version of Niagara!) and then back into downtown Paihia and parked right next to the harbor. I walked and took pictures of some of the beautiful flowers and Geoff made dinner for us! We sat looking at the harbor and listening to the waves crash on the beach and ate spaghetti (it was terrific!,) drank wine and Chef Geoffrey’s Italian Ristorante was the best eatery in town—this is the life! How can you beat sitting by the waterfront having a lovely meal with a wonderful man (who cooks for me!). I didn’t think it could get any better. After dinner we enjoyed the surroundings and every single person passing by looked into our travelling restaurant! We finally went back to the campground, reluctantly, but needed to get out washing off the lines—which I did while Geoff did the dishes. We got things ready for the evening and then we walked (about 25 minutes each way) into Paihia to go to the Beach House Bar and listen to music. We were about halfway there when a couple crossed the street coming towards us and it was, surprise!, the Dutch couple (Johanna & Sebastian) who we met in Whangarei!!! It was so cool to see them again. They had not yet found a car and Geoff told them to check with Salty’s for work advertised there. They had taken the “Naked Bus” to Paihia and were staying at one of the Backpacker places. I told them I finally got my suitcase but lost (and found) my wallet! I gave them this blog site so they could read about our travels! It was really fun to run into that young couple again! After chatting on the street for a bit, we went on into town and joined the rousing crowd (of all ages) at the Beach House! Had a drink while enjoying the real jam session. Geoff had heard the main man, Dan, on the guitar lat New Year’s Eve but he is joined tonight by whoever has an instrument (there were 2 other guitar players, 3 or 4 bongo players, a flutist and one on a harmonica)! Joining in were various singers including a woman who sang a very entertaining and interesting sounding Mongolian folk song! There were lots of people dancing including the Asian man who found us stools to sit on when we first got inside—he was full on energy and could boogie with the best of them! The music was good and it was a lot of fun. When the jam session was over they had canned music but the crowd thinned out a bit. We walked back to camp and the wind had died down so it was a pleasant although cool walk back to camp. The bed with the clean sheets was ready in the campervan so it was nice to crawl into them and sleep snug like a bug in a rug! And after that nice walk to and from town, that’s how I slept—as did Geoff! It was just a perfect day in New Zealand—one of the best!
Monday, November 22. 2010 – We broke camp and headed north to Kerikeri—a lovely small town where we walked around and I found a book store and bought a couple small books about the trees and birds of New Zealand so I can quit asking Geoff what something is! He knows a lot but doesn’t claim to know what every tree and bird is here! We found a “Dollar store” but it was one of those that everything is a dollar or more (seemed to be more of a “$2.50 Store”! We bought some local avocados they were selling inexpensively! We went to the local library and used the free wi-fi but it was extremely sloooowww, so a bit frustrating. SueB tried to Skype me but I couldn’t hear her—I’m sure it’s because of the slow internet! Was able to check email but that was all. Ate a couple f those fresh avocados for lunch at Kaeo (where I used the pay phone and called Shelley and SueB). On we drove to Doubtless Bay and the town of Mangonui—a lovely little town that is built right on the Bay and has the best fish and chips at Mangonui Fish and Chip Restaurant that sits over the water! We hung around the town for a few hours (even had a short nap in our bedroom on wheels) and then had our dinner of fish and chips at the best place ever! Geoff says this was about his fourth time to eat fish and chips there and anyone ever travelling to northland New Zealand needs to make a stop there for them. They make them out of the catch of the day and today it was red snapper. They have other seafood, too but the fish and chips are the reason to go there! Truly a must for visitors! After our dinner (or “tea” as Geoff calls it!) we drove around Doubtless Bay, past Taipa, to our campground at Whatuwhiwhi (my favorite town name ever!) and it is a beautiful area. I think what amazes me about New Zealand is all the rolling hills and pastures of cows and sheep, then you see lots of trees and the “bush” and it all seems to end at seaside of some sort (bay, ocean, river)—just breathtaking. I am not sure what I thought New Zealand would look like even though I saw several pictures of it, but it is really a spectacular country and I never get tired of seeing the rolling hills, deep ravines, craggy hills, trees, interesting vegetation, vineyards, orchards, fields, mangroves, beaches, water, etc., etc…. What will tomorrow bring? It’s been a week since we picked up the campervan and what a week it has been! This has been the week that WAS! Looking forward to the next week and seeing what is waiting around the next corner or over the next rise! I sure will let you know! Love, S&G xo p.s. Listening to Geoff’s iPhone playing Frank Sinatra’s hits!
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