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Published: February 16th 2009
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The Blue Lake's Shore
Makes you wanna run down the beach flinging your clothes about the place and jumping right in... I restrained myself but it was hard work. Our first proper day in New Zealand. We woke up at 6 to hear the sound of the rain hitting the campervan roof and both needing the toilet - luckily, we were parked next to a covered walkway leading to the nearest amenity so scrambled out of the van and ran briefly through the rain before returning back to the van to attempt sleep (it was still dark-ish). When we got up, it had stopped raining, so we had breakfast in the van and went into town to have a look round. Sadly, literally seconds after we parked up by the lakeside, the heavens opened and we got completely drenched. We both decided that our best bet was to find a cheap and cheerful cafe to have a huge breakfast (we were both starving again and by this time it was lunch) so we stopped at a big cafe (the "Fat Dog") and had a fat dog special breakfast (fried eggs, sausages, bacon, hash browns, grilled tomatoes and a huge doorstep slice of bread). It definitely helped us feel brighter, and by the time we came out, the sun was shining again. We walked around the town centre (which, like America,
The Blue Lake
See where it gets it's name?? Looks tropical. is a grid so it all becomes quite confusing) and then headed on back to camp (we were still pretty tired - and my ankles were still swollen from the flight - most unattractive, I can tell you). That evening, there was a huge thunderstorm and it absolutely peed it down for most of the night - thought I was going to need earplugs to drown out the sound of it battering the roof of our little van, but luckily, I felll asleep within minutes.
The next day, we were on our own - we'd decided to spend the night in our van out there - out in the big wide world of New Zealand where there are all sorts of horrible people waiting to break in to campervans and brutally murder it's occupants. Yes, alright, I'm exaggerating but it's a bit nerve racking when you're used to the comfort and safety of your own home, hotels or designated campsites. Anyway, we drove south from Rotorua in glorious sunshone into deepest darkest countryside - well actually no it wasn't; we drove up this hill, urging our little van on (it was struggling a bit, bless it) and over the
The Jungle next to the Blue Lake
I think a tree root obligingly let us prop our camera on it to take this shot. crest, down the otherside to see the most beautiful sight - a huge lake with green hills bordering it with beaches of white sand and the clearest aqua blue water you'd ever seen (called the Blue Lake, somewhat unsurprisingly) - it was like something from the Bahama's. What a sigh for sore eyes, I can tell you. however, one small snag, in that there were 2 coach loads of children playing in the adjoining playground, and sadly, I didn't have my AKA47 or sniper rifle with me to take a few of the little bleeders out. Nevermind, it was a mere 30 minutes until they all got ferried away and we had the place almost to ourselves. We walked around the outside of it - which was like walking in a tropical jungle with all the huge tree ferns and palm trees and gazed at the water from every conceivable angle. We got back to the van and decided to camp beside the lake - there was a free BBQ, toilets (I'm not a fan of going au naturel and inspite of having seen a Shewee in one of the outdoor stores, don't intend to use one of those -
paddling
It's oh so quiet... I think they require a certain kind of female to use them....hmmmm,.anyway, back to the story) and basically, it seemed an idyllic spot. So there I was, a few hours after arrival, chopping an onion out of the back of the fan and feeling a bit like Keith Floyd (only without being pissed on rice wine) while Paul was putting together the rest of our tea when a car full of adults and children pulled up alongside us. They proceeded to occupy the seating area just yards from our van; alcohol appeared and so did a huge bass speaker (which was in the boot of the car next to us) which began to play a bit of Chopin, follwed by some Beethoven. I'm lying, although the choice of music was in the Bob Marley genre so quite good (well, the ones I knew) but anyway, not what we wanted at that moment in time. We had our tea and although it was after 8pm, set off to find a quieter spot to park up for the night. A few bends and ups and downs later, we head down a slope to see a small quay next to a larger adjoining
The campsite that never was
See what I mean? would have been idyllic waking up here but it wasn't to be. lake. There was a cafe (which was still open) and one or two cars adjoining, but the rest of the quayside was empty. We picked the furthest corner (hoping that no-one will see us and tell us to move on) and pop the top and make up the bed. We put a film on but I couldn't relax as I was too busy listening out for any movement outside. The cafe emptied about 11.30, hearing it empty and the occupants drive away. After that, I fell into a doze, to be awoken at 2am. A car had pulled up not far away and people were getting out and talking and laughing REALLY BLOODY LOUDLY! Someone had clearly had the idea "Let's go to the lake and wake up any poor sods who happen to be trying to sleep there!" So after another hour or so, they got bored and drove off and I managed to get back to sleep until.... 5.20am, when I woke up to the sound of a vehicle pulling up right infront of our van with music playing. A car door went, someone got out and then a boot was opened. For some reason, I thought this person was an early morning fisherman (fishing is HUGE out here) so wasn't quite as bothered and lay there a bit longer. However, instead of rods and bait being removed from the van/car and the music going off, the music was just turned up until at 6.45, we just got up to a grey morning and met Nick. Nick, the owner of the van in front was not an early morning fisherman, but a man currently "off his tits" who'd been up all night and currently on a week long bender after splitting up from his girlfriend. Ah. He attempted trading with Paul - "How about if you give me some coffee, I'll give you something in return?". No, really, you're fine thanks but we'll give you a really strong coffee and listen to some of your ramblings in return for you waking us up in the morning - how about that? He was trying to bond with Paul "Awight Bra? D'yu like me music?" and gave him his phone number for us to call him when we get to Auckland but I'd be amazed if he could even remember meeting us...
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