The Trek Begins!

---

Thursday, 11th
Had about 2 1/2 hrs of sleep, had a lot to do before setting out. Got up at 4:30 & started packing. Was almost late for the bus, but made it with minutes to spare.

Was on time for the ferry & we left port around 9:00 from pier 3. It took me a while to get my sea legs, was a bit nervous there for a moment.

I got a little freaked out at some point, realizing I don't know where I'm going & don't even have a map of the area. Going down stream without a paddle! I found a map in my guidebook & deceided to head for the Long Bay Motor Camp outside of Coromandel town.

The trip over was beautiful, this place is covered in islands, bays & gorgeous scenery. It is more beautiful than the pictures on the internet!

They picked us up with a little bus at the pier & took us into town. I bought some supplies & set off on the 3km hike to the camp. My backpack is rather heavy, I realized, but I need everything in it!

Reached camp in about an hour, checked in & pitched camp. I spent the rest of the day hiking around the shoreline to Tuck Bay, its very pretty & quite secluded cause it only has one tap & a bio toilet. It's like a longdrop but without the smell. I hiked back to camp, had an afternoon nap, made some noodles & started reading The Shack.

Friday, 12th
Woke up at 9:00, haven't slept that long in quite a while. Tent living is a bit tedious, but has a lot of freedom to it. I'm sure in a while I'll sing a diffirent tune!

Had some powdered scrambled egg for breakfast & I must say it's quite tasty! I sat at the beach reading my bible & writing in my journal & as I got up to leave a kiwi, Rob, came up to me & started chatting. He invited me to come visit them in town later. It felt a little weird, but I said I'd see how my day goes.

I took a hike up to the Kauri Grove, its these huge, tall trees they used to make ships masts out of back in the day. I hiked past Tuck Bay & found a wonderful little secluded beach. I sat under a huge tree for a couple of hours & read. I hiked back to camp & spent the rest of the day reading. If you haven't read The Shack & am a child of God, do youself a favour, its rather amazing!

Saturday, 13th
The weather here is strange, the best way to describe it is late autum, in Cape Town. Verry hot when the wind isn't blowing, which it is all of the time & you need a jacket in the shade.

I had another great day, hiked a bit, read a lot & I must confess got a little home sick. I'd take biltong & droëwors from a starving child! They have it in Auckland, but at $40/kg it seems a little steep. I think I'm going to buy a kg of each when I get back to SA & only eat that for a week!

I finnished The Shack & cannot describe the effect it has had on me! It has really been an amazing experience.

I'm heading out tomorrow, hiking my way to Cathedral Cove, about 50km away, have no idea where I'm going to sleep & I'm not scared!

Will ad photos when I get to a place that doesn't charge you the life of your first born for a little internet time!

---

Comments

[Ferdi]

Nice!
Sweeeeeet my boeda! Dit klink amazing! Ek kanie wag om te kom nie! Enjoy!!!!