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Published: January 9th 2006
It's been awhile since my last update but we've pretty much been in the middle of nowhere.
Auckland was so much fun. Our hostel rocked. It was called the Fat Camel and the setup was great - each room was like a suite. It had a living room, kitchen, and bathroom with 3 dorm rooms around the living area. We were there for a total of 6 nights and became friends with almost everyone in our suite. It was a really cool feeling to be able to just to go up to the room and see who was hanging out.
New Years itself was insane. Randy, one of the guys in our dorm and one of the funniest guys ever (dude don't go getting an ego or anything), had a job bartending at this place the Loaded Hog right on the water. So after a pregame involving lots of beer (Corona!) and champagne in our room, we then went down to the bar. It was packed but we had already been stamped so we went right in. We were hooked up all night, armfuls of Corona at a time, and that's where it got blurry. We had a spot
The pregame begins
But we're just getting started.outside on the patio so we had an awesome view of the fireworks from the Skytower which was great. The next day was ugly though. But it's the price you pay for having a sick time I guess.
So needless to say, we couldn't physically go anywhere the next day, so we hit the road the day after. Driving this van is a little crazy. First of all, you drive on the left in New Zealand, you work the stick with your left hand, the blinkers are on the right side of the steering wheel, there's no power steering, and it requires you to drop down to second gear for a lot of hills. But surprisingly, I am now totally used to it and we're having a ball. Anyway, we drove the Goonebago a few hours north up to the Bay of Islands and stayed at a hostel called the Pipi Patch in Paihia. Lots of stuff happened there. There were actually a lot of Americans staying there, but again no New Yorkers. Natalie, one of the girls who was with us on New Years, happened to be staying there so that was cool. She's from Oregon. Then we
Our Fat Camel family
Room 201 is where it's at! met Jenny from Minnesota. A couple guys from Washington. Then we met these 3 guys from Ohio who were absolutely insane. They asked if it was ok to have a late night Goon session in our room so of course I was like hell yeah. Apparently, they refer to box wine as "Goon". So at the end of the night, after the bars closed, they break out the Goon and we sit around for hours drinking from a communal cup which was passed around until the Goon was gone.
Alan and I booked a full day sailing trip one day but we woke up and it was pouring. We tried to get a refund but because the boat was going to sail anyway, all they would do was give us a 50% refund. We were pissed off about it but screw that, we went anyway in the rain. It turned out to be a great day, especially sailing back in 30+ mph winds. I've never really sailed before, so when we were literally on a 45 degree angle to the sea on the way back, I was having tons of fun. I thought for sure we were going to
Photo-op on our way to get stamped at the bar
It's impossible to pass up a photo with a stuffed gorilla. capsize. Whoever engineers sailboats is real smart.
After 3 nights we hopped in the Goonebago and headed up north, destination Cape Reinga, the northernmost accessible point of New Zealand. It was a far drive so we stopped in a town called Pukenia on the way up and wound up camping on a dairy farm. Cows everywhere, it was great. There were 2 other people staying there and they had an entire guest house just for backpackers with all the amenities. So we basically had the place to ourself, it was so nice that it reminded us when we used to rent condos in Vermont but on a farm instead and for $10 a night. The kitchen was great so Al cheffed it up as usual and we had awesome meals. Watching the sunsets on the back porch was awesome. One day the owner lent us his fishing gear, so we brought it down to the wharf along with a fresh supply of beer and went fishing for the day. We had a few nibbles, but no bites. There were these kids there trying to help us out but we just suck at fishing I guess.
We then continued
At the bar
Again, New Years. Shawn, Blaise, and Phil that face is for you. our drive north and got to Cape Reinga which was incredible. It's just a scenic point really, so we walked around and then went 20km down a gravel road to nearby Spirits Bay and camped there for the night. We hung out on the beach, played frisbee, read our books, relaxed with some beer, and just waited for the sun to set.
One night there was enough, although we could have stayed longer, but we just wanted to keep on the move. So we started driving aimlessly towards the south. We passed another farm that accepts backpackers so we stopped to check it out. Once we saw the nice house, hammock, barbecue, hot tub, and $8 to camp, we were sold and we stayed for the night. Bacon cheeseburgers with sauteed onions and mushrooms, with mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and salad on the side. Alan can't drive stick, but man is he making up for it in the kitchen.
Right now we're actually back in Auckland and hope to get our work visas sorted out, then leave tomorrow. But there are a few other events worth mentioning, so in the spirit of Kaz and all my other boys
New Years on the Viaduct
6 of us Loaded Hogs at the Loaded Hog back home, I have prepared a list for your enjoyment.
Top 5 Travel Moments (since my last update):
1. After we took a look around Cape Reinga, Bryan wanted to go for a hike but Alan, Dave, and I decided to chill by the van. We decided to have some fun and hang a couple signs off the back of our van that said "Ice cold beer $4" and "Coke $3". When a lady came over and actually bought a soda, we were hysterical laughing. Then Dave walked around soliciting everyone in the parking lot for the next hour. He would carry a can of Coke and rub it across his forehead saying "Man, it's hot today. I bet you could go for an ice cold beer or soda!" Believe it or not we actually sold a beer as well. And some batteries. And made a lot of people laugh, including ourselves.
2. Also in Cape Reinga. We were getting ready to leave, and a bunch of younger girls came over and thought our "business" was really funny. After talking to them for a few minutes, for some reason they asked if I would sign their shirts.
Fireworks
Sloppy picture of the fireworks from the Skytower at midnight. I don't know why, I really don't. Maybe they were semi-retarded. But of course I obliged, and they each got tagged by King Goon, NYC. Then they insisted the rest of us sign as well, so we each tagged them up and sent them on our way.
3. I mentioned before that we met these 3 guys from Ohio at the Pipi Patch in the Bay of Islands. We had a crazy goonfest that night and we had a great time, but after we finally fell asleep it got even crazier. One of them was sleeping on the top bunk and fell off the bed about 5 feet below onto the carpeted-concrete floor during his sleep. He hit the floor, coughed a couple times, then went right back to sleep. The next morning, another one of them wakes up and goes "Hey mannn I think I... wait, I definitely peed my bed last night mannnn!" Then the third one wakes up and says "Wow mannn I totally pissed my bed too holy cow... I'm a grown man already, I can't keep pissing my bed all the time dude..." To which the other says "Dude last night it wasn't a
Leaving Auckland
View of the skyline as we left the city in the Goonebago. bed, you pissed your tent mannn..." And he replied "Ohh yeahhh that's right mannnn." As funny as that was, it was also freakin fully disgusting, especially because they didn't even shower before they left that day.
4. At the Fat Camel they have trivia night at the bar once a week. I was all excited for it, but then the questions started. They mostly involved rugby teams, football (soccer) teams, and some TV show called Neighbours which is immensely popular overseas... and there was a Monopoly question which I thought I could get, but it referred only to the British version. It's a freakin American game, goddamit!! But nobody wanted to hear it.
5. Well I wanted to make this a top 5 list so that it's a nice normal number, but nothing like the above comes to mind. So for this one, I'll just say that being up in Spirits Bay, playing frisbee and drinking beer on the beach until the sun set, then cooking dinner, sitting on the ground and eating under the stars was a great feeling. Total peace and fun, it was such an incredible time and all 4 of us knew it.
Bay of Islands
This is the beach in Paihia. Ok, speak to you all later, and enjoy the pictures.
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Gianna
non-member comment
So not only are you having the time of your life, but you're famous too! I love that, maybe the girls thought you guys were American actors. I couldn't stop laughing at the #3 top travel moments.