Kerikeri
Wed 21st Jan.
I had an early shower to be ready for whatever time we left. There seemed to be some confusion about who was going and in which car. But Tom and I set off at midday for Kerikeri through heavy rain; he drove carefully.
He dropped me off at KeriCentral Working hostel and backpackers…a bit long winded. I paid 35Nzd cash..15Gbp for a 4 person dorm room, and unfortunately I got a top bunk again.
I familiarised myself with my surroundings. I went walkabout and found a New World where I bought a large chicken breast, a can of corn and a bottle of red. I checked out the location for the bus stand for the next day.
I had a beer in a local pub before going back to cook my chicken dinner. During the course of my drink, there was a loud bang on my table by someone holding a pint glass. It happened to be Tom. Both he Marty and Michelle came to Kerikeri from Paihia to do a bit of shopping. So the 3 guys had a good chinwag and then Michelle joined us and we went to another bar. A good coincidence.
All this was done in very heavy rain. At the hostel I managed to get some interesting spices and soy sauce to make my meal more interesting. Then to my bunk bed to hope for the best in terms of a good night’s sleep.
Auckland
Thurs 22nd Jan
I really dislike the steps; I’m glad I didn’t have to go to the toilet in the night. The bathrooms were busy so I skipped having a shower. I sat in the lounge area for a while and booked a single room for 3 nights at Choice backpackers.
I took my time…had a chai at RW. The 09:55 bus was waiting, and we left 10 minutes early. The route went to the coast via Paihia ( where Tom stayed overnight) and then inland a bit.
Lovely journey through rolling hills and farmland. Am constantly surprised by how hilly it is; I suppose because being a volcanic region.
A 4.5 hour trip, arriving at 14:30 at the Skytower. A short walk to Choice, only to find that my debit card payment hadn’t been accepted, but at least my Monzo was alright.
I walked over to Woolworths for my sausages, noodles and wine. It was after 4pm so I went up the road to Fiddlers for their happy hour. After 2 pints, it was back to Choice to cook dinner. The Korean guy gave me a little oil to help fry my sausages.
As usual nobody communicated in the dining area. Down in the lounge area I drank a half bottle of red wine. A successful day.
Fri 23rd Jan
I had a good night’s sleep; the temperature was comfortable this time in the room. Last time I was there it was always rather chilly. I ate the 3 sausages that were left over from dinner.
I had a big walk around the City. Down to the waterfront where there was a massive passenger ship moored; at first I thought it was a hotel shaped like ship. Then I confirmed where the bus terminal was and got some general info on buses to Rotorua and Napier.
I decided on a different bar…The Shakespeare, micro brewery. I drank 2 porters and chatted a little to a guy who was on 3 week cruise. He had been to Kenya & Tanzania on safaris/Zanzibar.
I bought my regular wine/sausages but with a packet of crisps. I had noodles left over. I returned to Choice and cooked dinner. I went down to the lounge to drink my half bottle of wine.
There were 3 ladies dancing, playing pool and generally having fun. Then I went to my room.
Sat 24th Jan.
I had a good sleep. After my shower I went to Sierra for my chai. I washed my blue shirt. It dried in my room as the weather wasn’t good enough to go to Albert Park and hang out.
Actually the weather was on and off awful. I wandered around as best I could. In between going back to my room a few times I had another chai. I popped into Woolworths for a bottle of wine…otherwise my dinner was sorted.
Before 4pm I was in Father Ted’s. The wind was so strong that it pushed me down the hill towards the pub. I sheltered in a doorway for a couple of minutes.After a while Zac joined me and we had a good chat. From there I went to cook my sausages and noodle dinner. Then down to the lounge to drink my half bottle of wine. Zac passed by and said a quick hello. Back up to my room where I had a leftover sausage and played on my phone.