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Published: February 19th 2006
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Foot Up in Orewa
Sunset on Katie and Ian's balcony. Look closely and you can see Ian's injury! Ian was rather taken with Steve's electrifying mosquito killing bat. After 21 hours in transit we were very happy to see Katie's smiling face waiting for us at the Auckland arrivals gate. Despite many flights over the last couple of months it was a real treat to actually have someone there to greet us. Made me feel less like the littlest hobbo and a little more like Lassie.
Katie is one of my oldest friends (she's 110. Ho ho ho.), we have known each other for about 15 years now. Her brother Tim was my very first boyfriend. She emigrated to New Zealand 4 years ago, and recently married Ian, another UK escapee. Ian had also made the airport trip but due to a recent disagreement between the tip of his surfboard and his foot, he was waiting in the car, crutches and all. Ian is a man with very deep passions, luckily one of which is Katie. Another is kiteboarding (think surfboard with parachute-like kite attached leading to very fast and high jumps) and if that sounds like your cup of adrenaline then do check out his website
here.
I would like to tell you a little about Auckland but our experience is limited to driving through it
a couple of times. After an exhausting journey we were very happy to have a couple of days doing very little, sleeping in late, and just enjoying some home comforts. Katie and Ian live in Orewa which is north of the city. They have the most fantastic view out across the coastline and peninsula. Apparently we have missed a cracking summer here, but the weather has still been beautiful and I am glad it isn't any hotter. Their place is great and we were made to feel very at home. The mind boggles at how much a similar pad would cost in London, but one can certainly see the quality of life people move across oceans for.
One rental car and a few days later (Toyota Corolla of course, old habits die hard) we are revitalised and back on the road. First stop is Paihia, Bay of Islands, 3 hours drive north. Ian had worried us a little with talk of gravel roads, strange give way to the right rules and the terrible driving habits of Kiwis. However, things have gone smoothly and it is very refreshing to be behind the wheel again and to enjoy the freedom this
brings (Derek don't worry, the drivers here seem to be no more or less crazy that the Brits). Paihia is packed! It is Valentine's Day when we arrive and it seems everyone has decided to visit this little town. We hunt for what seems like an age for a private room but finally have to settle for infinitely less romantic dorm bunks. I have never seen such a sea of 'no vacancy' signs. Paihia has lots of restaurants, hotels, and a great view. We find a little Swiss restaurant with candlelit and sea breeze and have a tasty meal. The highlight was the chocolate fondue that Steve
insisted we order. He sure knows how to keep his wife happy.
The next day we are up early and waiting at the harbour for our ride. Gungha II is a 65 foot yacht with garrulous captain Mike at the helm. With more character than a shelf full of Dickens, Mike made the day funny and informative. Regaling us with salty tales of his past seaborne voyages, his knowledge of the local area, seabirds and the oddities of past passengers. We stopped at Long Island where turrets built during WW2 are still
Te Matua Ngahere
Father of the Forest, there's no denying on top of the hill. Locals had no weapons and no soldiers, so every few days mannequins and their guns (painted wood) were moved around so any enemies flying overhead would hopefully be fooled.
On the way home, with the sails up and the wind in our favour, we had a real taste of how exhilirating life at sea can be. With each change of sail direction from starboard to port, the yacht would tilt at an incredible angle (think Titanic before she snapped!). Definitely an idea for the retirement years . . .
Cutting across to the west coast we move on to Waipoua Forest, home to the giant Kauri trees. Two of the largest living Kauri trees are here. Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) is believed to be over 2000 years old and rises majestically to 51 metres. Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest) is shorter but has the impressive girth of over 16 metres (leading to inevitable height versus girth debates).
It is such beautiful country to drive around. Very green, very rural. What England could be if there was more sunshine and less people. A lot of the views remind us
of the archetypal english countryside scene. Every summit of every hill seems to lead to more glorious sights whereas in the UK it seems you have to drive further and further for such unspoilt nature. We keep telling ourselves that we really must stop the car the next time we turn a bend and collectively sigh 'wow' so we can snap a photo but it is so commonplace that we keep forgetting.
We have already noticed a real change in the way we feel about travelling here. It feels a lot more like we would feel at home. Not just the ease of a shared language and social norms (well nose greetings aside), it just feels very British deep in its fibre. Hard to explain it more than that. The only downside has been a jump in our costs. There is a real hike in the price of most things compared to Asia. We expected this, but it is hard not to pine.
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helen lord
non-member comment
nice tan!
do you need to get the calomine out yet? (like in Wales)