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Published: March 2nd 2009
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An island on the bay
Couldn't fit all the other islands in. 9/2/09 = Rain = chill out day.
Lovely, lovely sleep. Woke up for toilet at 7:30 and could see Deb awake, but had to ignore her, because already decided to try and go back to sleep. Scuttled off to toilet with eyes closed and scuttled back and into bed. Drifted straight back off and slept on off for hours then. Could hear was raining outside, so just made me sleep all the more. When finally did look at watch, was 9am. Made myself get up, rain or no rain. Could be abed day though...yesss! Peered outside and no rain at all + no sign of rain. Don't get it? Took a better look around and saw hose pipe turned on and pool getting filled up...aaahhhh! Good job got up, could have been in bed all day just because pool was getting filled up! Ha! Pretty grey day though and felt damp in air; totally different to yesterday. Snuck back into bed for one last time, then conjured up all energy and made myself go for a run. Really not in mood and groggy from sleep, but forced myself to do it. Was actually raining when got out (that fine rain
Hokianga Harbour
The place that Coupe sailed into. that soaks you through) and turned out to be perfect running weather. Ran along water but was so fgoggy that couldn't see anything, not even island that usually look so close. Ran to and beyonhd Treaty Grounds, then came back. Can't say enjoyed it, but wasn't painful either and was a good 40min run.
Should have got in shower as soopn as got back, but so hungry, had to have breakfast; just made sure I didn't sit too close to anyone. Had big bowl of muslie, then went a got nice shower. Good sleep, good run, good breakfast, good shower = feeling much more alive now. Had planned to visit some of islands today, but no point at all on day like this, so took ace option = chill out day. Pottered round and relaxed for a while (miss my Sunday mornings...just never have days like that out here), then got ready and headed into town. Had a little nosey round some of shops - disappointed to find library closed = no free internet - and wondered into vodafone shop. Ended up buying NZ SIM card for $35 because could call home for an hour for just $2 and
definitely can't carry on with rubbish $10 for 12mins cards. Even came with $15 credit, which should last all trip anyway - bonus! Deb bought new cheap phone too, because her mobile broke. Got some things for lunch from supermarket (good old beans and toast) then headed to use internet for a while. Did another 2 hours, then were so hungry had to go back to our hostel for lunch. Before food, decided to ring Mum and test out new card, because was 4:30am at home = best time for her. Took a couple of tries, but eventually got through and had a much better chat to her. Phone cut off after 35mins though = bit of a shame; hope doesn't do that all of the time!
Finally time for food. Made beans on toast and had ham sanwich while waiting. Ate it all and still not full...well, not properly full anyway. Resisted urge to eat it all again though. Walked down to waterfront instead because both wanted to catch a sunset and was 7pm. Sat there shivering for 10mins before gave up. Was way too grey and couldn't see anything. Went back to hostel and decided to make
Tane Mahuta
Can't really appreciate how big he is on this photo...wait a minute... it perfect chill out day by completing it and watching a film. I chose a selection, then the group of us watching TV whittled it down to The Bone Collector (which was my secret favourite anyway). Really enjoyed watching it, then went off to bed. Didn't have a good sleep like yesterday though; think film must have altered mood a bit and was way too hot. Didn't help when girl in next bed screamed out for help in middle of night. She was fast asleep, but it well and truly woke me up! 😞 No more even slightly scary films for me!
10/2/09 = The famous Tane Mahuta + a return journey to Auckland.
Had to get up early today to catch 8am bus for last day of tour. Washed, dressed, breakfast, made lunch, but then bus came early and didn't have time to pack up. Had to throw things into a bag and run out to bus looking half asleep still...really need to start brushing my hair as soon as I get up! First part of journey = Paithia to Rawere and slept most of way. As soon as got there, sorted myself out a bit
Tane from a distance
Can tell he is a little bigger here. more so that at least looked human. Was raining, but still managed to avoid buying tea and cake...willpower finally coming through! Got back on bus after 15mins and did next journey to Opononi - slept through most of this aswell. Woke up just in time to hear some of story driver was telling (not as entertaining as Spike). We had stopped at Hokianga Harbour = place where first Maori guy (Coupe) sailed into to discover NZ. That was all info I could absorb, body and mind too tired. Clambered back onto bus for next journey to Waipoua Forest to see most famous tree in NZ = biggest and v.old Kauri tree called Tane Mahuta. Did manage to stay more awake on this part of journey (mainly) and caught part of story. Maoris believe that Tane Mahuta was a boy, a god. There was only darkness and no life in the world, so Tane Mahuta pushed against his mother (earth) and father (sky), prizing them apart and bringing life to the world in between the sky and earth. Now, he stands 17.68ms high and 13.77ms wide, 2000yrs old and is called the God of the Forest. Thought I did pretty well
The Story Of Tane
...if you can read it. Although I think I did a pretty good job myself. taking in that story while eyes were still closing for sleep.
Did a bit more snoozing after listened to story, but then arrived at forest not long after. Got out and did the 5min walk to find Tane. He was pretty impressive and definitely the biggest tree I have ever seen. Back to bus then and got straight back on just in time before rain came down really heavy. Managed to stay awake for next 1 and half hour journey down west coast, but did not manage to resist tea and cake at next stop...there's only so much willpower a girl can have! Bus driver had said how good cafe was in Matakohe and it looked nice even from outside; especially in rain! Wasn't even hungry before stepped inside, but ate my sandwich, got lovely pot of tea and got an even lovlier piece of carrot cake. Mmmmmm. It looked so good, would have been rude not to, especially when everyone else bought something too. Devoured cake and sipped tea for 30mins, then was time to get back on bus and do last part of journey. Took 2 hours to get to Auckland and decided to chat for journey
rather than sleep; is such a thing as too many naps!
Bus dropped us off at hostel booked = Base. Checked in and took bags to room. Yet again, not impressed by Base hostel. Way too big, v.impersonal and dirty too. We staying on 10th floor and had to get lift because didn't have stairs...hate lifts! Got straight back out and went to Magic shop to use free internet and do last bit of sorting. Confirmed car rental to start tomorrow - yet again spent 30mins on phone; 10mins on hold to same dreaded music and 20mins talking to an incredibly inept worker - and booked hostel for tomorrow eve in Corammandel Peninsula. Also looked into biking for South island...v.excited/nervous for that. Had sorted as much as we could at that point, so went back to hostel feeling a little better. Next job = ringing and booking bikes. Got milk for morning on way back to hostel (although kitchen at Base = a place you really don't want to eat), checked out TV room when we got there, but stunk of people eating take aways, so went on internet and did some more of work = blog. 1 good thing about Base = cheap(er) internet. Came off internet at 10pm and ate Melon had left. Had to eat standing up because kitchen so gross didn't want to sit down. Also found myself eating extra quick so could get out of there! Went up to bed then. Feeling really excited for rest of trip now. Sorted where we want to go and how long we want to stay there for; just need to do it now 😊
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