San Francisco, here comes your wandering one

San Francisco is a quirky city on the bay. It took a long, long time to get here! In Santa Monica I had met a guy called Adrian from Denver, Colorado. He was cool, we got on well and spent a long time talking. As it turned out, he was also coming to San Francisco, on the day I was, via the same method of transportation.

I had figured train would be interesting. Yes, it would take longer than flying, but it was also cheaper and I could see more of the country. So, I had to get up to catch a public bus to get to Union Station to catch a coach to catch a train to catch another coach to catch a bus to walk to get to my hostel for that evening. A lot of public transport!! California is not known for its reliable public transport so this was a definite adventure. I was glad to have Adrian along to keep me company otherwise me and my iPod would have been very well aquainted by the end of the day!!!

It was never-the-less an enjoyable trip, with no mishaps (quite possibly a first for me!). The train was very comfortable – a double-decker that takes you through the  San Fernando valley, up through all the agricultural region and hills. It was pretty, but after a while all farms, cattle and hay bales start to look the same. I got chatting to a girl called Hanna on the train. She was travelling up from Laguna Beach to Chico to see her boyfriend. It made me laugh because it sounded like something straight out of the OC!!

 I got to San Francisco, where the coach dropped 4 of us off at Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf. We then had to find our hostel in Fort Mason. It was a little bit like The Amazing Race. 4 of us, one map, a bicycle and a very large city. Difficult to find where we had to be, and when we eventually found the hostel we worked out why. It was in the middle of a residential area, in what looked like a military camp. However, we checked in and made our beds. It wasn’t very nice but it was a place to sleep for the night.

Adrian and I went out for pizza. We found a great pizza place called Patxi’s (I recommend it to anyone in San Francisco) on the corner of Chestnut and Filmore. Delicious pizza and we shared a 12” (no comments those of you with dirty minds). Adrian has some friends in San Francisco so we caught a taxi to The Haight to catch up with them. They were interesting to talk to, and we met in a local shitty bar. We then decided to go see some live music but everywhere was carding and I have no valid I.D. (stupid country having to be 21). I resorted to bed.

The next morning I woke up incredibly unhappy. The hostel was a real dump – it reminded me of the type of place you’d stay on a school field trip and was filled with lots of families or old people or school kids! Not the best backpacking environment so I checked  out and went to the downtown hostel instead. This was after having a conversation where I ended up weeping down the phone to my distressed mum! I sorted myself out, checked in downtown and just had a lazy day.

I then decided I had to try and figure out what to do in this city so I went for a walk through the shops – very dangerous they have a HUGE shopping centre about a block from the hostel. I was very restrained and just bought some food to cook. Got chatting to some crazy Kiwis in the hostel and played a game of cards and general hanging out.

Sleep was calling! A good nights sleep and I got a phonecall from the mother saying that she’d booked a flight and was on her way over here! It was very exciting – after being overly emotional and dealing with so much stuff over the time I’ve been away the thing I was most excited about was going to having some privacy and being in control of the TV!!!!! And I made the most of it!

That day I went out along the Embarcadero which is along all the piers. Great views out over Alcatraz and the sea mist creates an eerie fog over the Golden Gate Bridge – it was very picturesque. Pier 39 is good fun, and I entertained myself walking around there, looking in all the crazy shops (they have a local fudge shop with every flavour of fudge you can think of – delicious!). I also wandered up to Coit Tower, climbing about a million steps and up various little windy paths. It gave some fantastic views out over Alcatraz and the bridge. Unfortunately I didn’t go ALL the way up, there were some big dogs blocking the path so I may have chickened out and ran back down all the stairs. Nothing like fear to make you forget that you’re fatigued! It was an enjoyable day nonetheless.

The next day, Mummy dearest was arriving in San Francisco so I was checking out of the hostel and into a HOTEL!! This was another major excitement factor J The last hotel I’d stayed at was the 5* one they put us up in after the A380 disaster. So a Holiday Inn is never going to be 5* but it certainly felt it after hostels. I think I prefer just a private room in a hostel tho, you can cook what you want, good social areas but with the added benefit of privacy. So I managed to check into the hostel, and apart from having a wander up to Ghiradelli Square and the Cannery, I didn’t do much except drink starbucks and snuggle in bed with my TV remote.

Ghiradelli Square is a cute little courtyard in the middle of these old brick buildings that once housed a fantastic chocolate factory. They have little shops and of course sell Ghiradelli Chocolate (the only chocolate in America that tastes good). I enjoyed the free samples they gave you every time you walked into the shop (there’s 3 shops so you can get quite a few samples!)

I greeted Mum off her shuttlebus. It was amazing to see her, I don’t know what it’s going to be like to come home and see everyone. I’m starting to miss them all quite a bit now…I’m expecting hugs off everyone when I get back :) I joke, of course, but it is getting closer and closer and I’m starting to get very excited. We had a good time that evening – went out to Denny’s, which was the only place open, and curled up in bed catching up.

The following day we went shopping! Very restrained and didn’t buy much at all. I did however send most of my clothes, souveniers and little presents back with her as I have too much stuff and could barely walk with all my stuff – next time I do this, I’m bringing one small bag!!!! We ate a lot! Breakfast at starbucks, lunch in a sushi restaurant and dinner we had takeout pizza from Patxi’s. Very naughty and ate it in bed – if you can’t be indulgent with your mamma who can you be indulgent with?!

On Sunday, the weather was fantastic so we decided to burn off all that food by walking across Golden Gate Bridge. We didn’t do the normal thing and catch public transport to the beginning of the bridge. No, we walked from the hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf around Fort Mason, through Chrissy Fields and across the bridge. Google maps tells me this is 4 miles, and it was very pleasant. No cabs would pick us up from the other side so I sweet talked a bus driver into giving us a very discounted fare back to San Fran centre! The joys of being an 18 year old girl in America.

I don’t think we did much that evening – packed!! My bag is so light now, it’s so incredibly exciting. I know, I know I need a life but it is! I can move!! We had more chats and more starbucks and had a thoroughly pleasant evening. Today we checked out and wandered round the city. I’m back in the hostel and more than happy to be back with my poptarts and uncomfy beds. Tomorrow is so incredibly boring I wont write about it. BUT THEN ITS NEW YORK!!!! Yes, slightly excited about that. Right I’m off to go cook some food.

Peace and love people xxx

Frankie goes to Hollywood

LA is such a quirky place. there's a whole lot of wierdos wandering around the streets, it's not uncommon to see a batman or a pirate posing for photos with over-excitable kids (and their parents). Everyone here is arrogant, they all want to "make it". Be that in music, acting or just the regular job they all have the attitude that they should get what they want. It makes for a very interesting culture.
America is the home of the "American Dream". The majority of the population strive to be the best they can possibly be, and make the absolute most of their life. They want the biggest car, the nicest house, the prettiest wife etc etc. But such a culture of want and success leads to people who don't make it. The city is very much split into the "haves" and the "have nots". On every street there are homeless, people fishing in trash cans to find food, walking around asking for money etc etc. It's sad, but unfortunately a fact. You also don't know how real these people are. They come to the tourist areas because they rely on donations from people who aren't revisiting the same streets every day.
It's a crazy city - it has everything in it. There's the big rambling (very famous) hills, and the gorgeous beaches with hot-pant cladded girls skating down the boardwalk, to the big CBD areas and the wannabe actresses. I can wander around the same streets every day and see a thousand new things and be amazed at the sheer ecclecticity of the people who live here.
My favourite place has to be Venice Beach. I walked there on my first day in LA (I had to do something otherwise i would have fallen asleep and been even worse). It's a cool walk, down past Santa Monica pier, along the boardwalk past infomercials being filmed, tourists on bikes, locals on inline skates and skateboards, surfers running to the sea, past the local gym bunnies using the free equipment and little beach cafes serving ice-cold beverages to squealing children. It's such an entertaining walk and I was happily amused for the duration.
Venice is loco. They have all these kitsch stalls along the boardwalk selling everything from bracelets and tie die tee-shirts, to bongs and bob marley memorabilia. The people too are like nothing you have seen. Goths walk by, next is a typical California girl, followed by a big black basketball player followed by the crazy person who's walking around talking to themselves. It's such a crazy place to be. It's where all the misfits from society seem to come and be, and the atmosphere there is great. I really like it.
I think the thing with LA and surrounding areas is you have to forget a lot of what is portrayed in the media. Not everyone is out to murder you or rob you or rape you, they are just curious people who want to talk. Of course there are the wierdos, and yes you don't go to the beach at night and yes you avoid certain districts due to gang stuff, but if you avoid those places its such a cool place to be. I haven't been anywhere like it. I'm glad I've only had 5 days, I think any longer and I'd go insane. It's a very intense place to be, very energy draining, but its still incredible to experience.
So, I already mentioned that on the first day I went and saw Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier. They've been in many films as outside shots. Someone once told me that it's an odd feeling the first time you go to New York as you already know your way around from seeing so much of it on TV. I found it very much the same in LA, you recognise so many places, and street names and just generally feel like you've been there before. It's cool, but slightly surreal.
I also went and had a look round the shops on 3rd Street Promenade. Some awesome stores, everything you can imagine. I had good fun looking found them all and exercised incredible restraint by only buying 2 singlets and a pair of shorts!! That first night, jetlagged and exhausted from walking around all day, I was in bed by 7!
The following day I went up to Griffith Park. This involved going on public transport for the first time in America, and it's not known for its ease of use. I had to get the Big Blue Bus into downtown LA, and then transfer to a Metro bus to take me through some of the more unsavoury neighbourhoods, and Chinatown (flipping incredible one I have to say) to drop me off outside LA Zoo and the Autry centre. I didn't visit the zoo, instead it was the gateway to one of the big parks in LA. It gave some incredible views over the city and it was nice to walk in the countryside - I did wonder where I was going when I saw the sign saying to watch out for mountain lions!!
It was a boiling hot day, so it was good to top the tan up. I did get quite dehydrated tho, so made my way back to the zoo to find a drink. However, the queue to get into the zoo was at least a 2 hour wait and I just wanted some liquid so I popped over to the museum instead. I had a nice drink, looking at some native artefacts and soaking up some more sun. I wanted to head back before it got too late, as certain parts of the city are incredibly unsafe after dark. I got back to the hostel not having to pay for any public transport the entire day (a pretty girl can get EVERYTHING for free in LA, it's really cool!!) and another early night was planned.
What happened was I ended up chatting to this Aussie guy, and an English guy who went to uni at Oxford. We get chatting and I get invited to go to the troubador room to see some up and coming singer/songwriters. Awesome, we get in the car about to go when "I'm gunna have to be over 21 to get in here, ey?" Yep, I'm too young and couldn't go!! So FLIPPING annoying! So instead we went and got italian food. It was tasty!
The following day was relatively chilled. It was boring housework and chores (yes still have to do those travelling), until I went to go to get some coffee (it's so good having decent coffee again, how i've missed starbucks). My friend from the hostel (he drove over from Sacramento) was stopped at the lights - he shouted out the window that he was going to Hollywood Blvd and did I want to come. So, I ran across the road, jumped in the car and we went to the place where the hold the oscars (Kodak theatre), saw the stars thing, and saw the hollywood sign. We drove past beverly hills on the way there, so we drove up rodeo drive, all through the residential area and up, and up, and up until we were right on top of the hills. The sun was setting so we had the most beautiful sunset over a panoramic view of LA. It was pretty incredible.
I got back to the hostel, after having a burrito, and chilled out in the tv room. Ended up chatting with another American, inspired him to go travelling as he just got made redundant! And ended up chatting until 3am, at which point I decided it would be a good idea to sleep.
And that my friends is what I've been up to. San Fran tomorrow :)
Peace and love xx

Bay of Islands Road Trip

Day1:

I’m sat in a restaurant with a cup of tea, looking out of the window on what can only be described as a scene fit for a postcard. The setting sun is reflecting off the aquamarine ocean which contrasts perfectly with the lush greenery on the tiny islands in the bay. There are fishing and sailing boats moored close to the islands, which were probably formed by volcanic activity donkeys ago, while the gulls fly overhead.

I’m in Paihia, a small village in the Northland of Aotearoa and the gateway to the Bay of Islands. This is road trip number 2 and I have a similar car to before – the trusty Nissan Sunny. It does the job, I got up here in 3 hours 20 minutes from Auckland, and that includes getting lost! All on half a tank of petrol too, it’s pretty economical that car even if it is ugly and older than most grandparents.

The drive up North was prettier than the drive down to Rotorua; I kept veering off the road because I was distracted by the beautiful scenery. I know, I know, eyes on the road. I’m more than thankful that its fair to say there are more sheep on New Zealand’s roads than there are cars, so it’s not as disastrous a situation as it would be in somewhere like London (but then you wouldn’t be driving off the side of the road!).

I’ve spent the afternoon walking the streets of Paihia – all 3 of them! There are various little restaurants and takeaways and fancy hotels, the likes I haven’t seen since the Sunshine Coast. There’s also a caravan parking lot where 8 bucks gets you 48 hours of parking. My bed for the night is less than a block from the sea! I’m hoping I’ll be up for sunrise in the morning – the camera’s charged and ready to go/

Tomorrow will be a fun-on day so a good sleep is needed for tonight. The past 2 nights I really haven’t slept much. On Saturday I met yet another Canadian, this one called Spencer. He reminds me a lot of my friend Tom on the Sunny Coast. Anyway, we decided to go out and see what nightlife Auckland had to offer. A short-lived trip to Globe Bar, where Helen and I went on my first night, with the ever popular stripper poles, we tried to find somewhere else. Walking around Queen Street and the Harbour I figured the only thing Auckland was good at producing at night is drunk, lairy kiwis.

We cut our losses and decided to head back to the hostel for coffee and grapes. Sat on the sofas we got chatting to 2 German siblings – Nora and Max – who were cool and loved their city (berlin for those of you who were interested). We chatted for ages, and then figured burgers from “The White Lady” (an old school burger van on the road next to the hostel) were a good idea. Armed with burgers and chips at 3am, tropic thunder was next on the agenda. Needless to say, most fell asleep on the couches.

The following night I was talking to Nora on the rooftop with a group of Argentinians (Maria, Josephina y Frede) and Brazilians (Rael, Louis and Rodrigo). We went down to the bar for a few drinks, 3 English (me, a guy called Rich and Spencer’s mate Barney) and the 3 Argentinians, the 2 German and the Canadian. It was most definitely a multicultural table!! We decided that we were too cold to keep sitting outside (and some comments may have been made about a race who were very plentiful in populating the area of Auckland we were staying – we decided to leave before anyone took offense!), and we were also too poor to keep drinking in the bar. The hostel it was for cups of tea – we spent the rest of the evening back on the roof (so much for staying warm) and proceeded to teach each other little idioms from our languages. The Mitsubishi Pajero means wanker in Spanish so they had to rename the car in Spanish speaking countries!! Much banter occurred, including teasing Louis that he was gay (he’s not, and like most Brazilians very proud = being gay is pretty offensive for the majority of these guys), it provided a great source of amusement for us!!

Day 2

I woke up at half 6 in the morning, having just missed the sunrise. After rushing around getting dressed and sorting out the car parking for the day I made my way down to the pick-up for the Dune Rider trip. We went round picking up everyone else, and got settled on the coach. It was a coach interior set on pretty much a lorry. Pretty cool, and pretty comfortable, apart from the elderly English couple sat behind me who spent the entire trip bickering and complaining. I had offered to swap seats with them as I knew they were in an uncomfortable place on the bus, but they declined. I figured I’d done all I could to help, so just tried to ignore them for the rest of the day!

Our first stop was a cup of tea and some brekkie in a cute little bay about an hour’s drive away from Paihia. It was yet again stunning scenery and it gave us a chance to chat to some people other than the ones we were sat near. I got chatting to 2 Canadian girls travelling together, who seemed friendly enough so we hung out for most of the day. The majority of the bus was elderly, and a small percentage of travellers. Most people I spoke to were pretty interesting.

Next was the drive along 90 mile beach. It was something to drive this big bus off-road along the beach. Out of one window you could see the waves gently lapping the sand, and out the other you could see the sand dunes with the pine tree forest in the background. As we drove we saw people fishing and attempting to surf, as well as fellow drivers. It was a good 75km we did along 90 mile beach as the beach itself is not 90 miles!  It got its name from Captain Cook’s description of the Northern Cape saying it was a “90 mile wilderness coast” or something to that effect.

We stopped to stretch our legs and have a run around on the beach. At this point the sand dunes had grown massively to the stage where they wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Sahara. Back on the coach and our driver, Paul, drove us upstream to the foot of one of the larger sand dunes. We traipsed out the bus, and took a boogie board each and started to climb, and climb and climb. Still climbing…it’s a LONG way up a very steep hill and your legs really start to hurt. Even the fittest among us were complaining about the climb. The view from the top of the dune was amazing – beautiful still bay with the rugged hillside climbing out the ocean, and the little islands with their trees blowing in the light breeze. Enough of the view.

AAAHHHHHH…I realised I should shut my mouth so the screaming stopped. I figured a mouthful of sand wouldn’t be that tasty so the mouth remained closed. I had launched off the top of the dune, on my tummy, and slid pretty darn fast down the very tall hill. There was a stream of water at the bottom (the same one we’d driven up in the bus, and I didn’t fancy getting wet), and I skimmed right over it and came to a stop in front of the bus. Exhilarated, I climbed back up the dune (doubly painful the second time round, although you’re expecting it) and went down again. This time tho, I let the brakes off more (your feet are the brakes, a good way to exfoliate them!!) and just flew down.

The prospect of another climb up was too horrible to even consider so I took some photos to pass the time. We were soon back on the bus and driving to Cape Reinga. Cape Reinga is B-E-A-Utiful, it’s where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, and also in Maori culture where their spirits depart this world at the spirit tree. This tree is growing out of the side of a barren rock, protruding out into the tempestuous ocean. When I was there, the water was very calm with barely a ripple on the surface, but you could still see the mixing of the waters. It’s a very powerful place. The thing which disappointed me was how commercialised and touristy it all felt. There was a gravel footpath that wound through the hills, letting you descend the 200m from the car park to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is iconic and quite pretty in its own right. We spent an hour absorbing all this before trudging back to the coach and driving to a beach for lunch.

The beach was possibly the nicest I have seen in New Zealand, it is comparable to some of the Aussie beaches so I felt slightly more at home. A quick lunch – and those mad enough went for a quick swim, but the water was far too cold in my opinion – and we were back on the road. Next destination was the Gumdigger farm. The northland of NZ is famous for its Kauri trees and the gum (amber) that they produce. Before WW1 it was a profitable business, digging up the buried Kauri forests and farming the gum to be used worldwide. Many tens of thousands of years ago, a tsunami hit New Zealand, burying a whole Kauri forest. The gumdiggers then had to dig through the sandstone and soil and peat bogs to uncover the trees. The wood is perfectly preserved, thanks to the peat. It was highly interesting having a tour round this place – seeing the original excavation holes as well as a few newer ones in a forest of tea trees. We also got to see a tree trunk that was over 45,000 years old, as well as a fly that was preserved from the Jurassic era. Pretty interesting stuff.

However, time was pressing – we had to clean the bus after our jaunt on the beach earlier. I say we clean, our driver had to wash it and we got to look round a kauri shop. Kauri trees can get up to 45m in diameter for their trunks, and the wood is now very valuable. In this shop, they had hollowed out a Kauri trunk and made a staircase in the trunk. Pretty unique and cool to walk up a tree trunk. There was nothing cheap in that shop. They sold a Kauri bench for NZ$55,000!!! That’s a bit steep for my price tag.

Next stop, and our final one, was the Monganowi Fish n Chip shop (I think that’s how you spell it!). It has won many awards for the best fish and chips in New Zealand, it was a pretty location – jutting out into the bay as the sun was setting, but the food wasn’t spectacular. England definitely does the better fish n chips. It was getting dark, and we’d been away for 11 and a half hours by this point. We got dropped back at our accommodation (me at the car park!) and I was exhausted. Curled up in bed (the backseat) I read my book before falling asleep while reading it!

Day 3:

I woke up bright and early, and headed to the Waitangi treaty grounds when it opened. I was very, very disappointed with them. I thought it was a major con to get money out of people. Very extortionately priced (entry, without any tours or anything just wandering around the grounds, was $25) and very touristy. Although the place is highly regarded and important in Kiwi culture, I just felt it had lost anything special it had once held. However, it was cool to see the British colony house, the Waitangi welcome house or whatever it’s called – the meeting house, that’s it! And the old canoes the Maori travelled to the location to sign the treaty.

I think I’m starting to have enough culture – I’m looking forward to lying on a beach and doing nothing when I get to LA!!!! Talking of that, I must check my flights and get ready to leave NZ. For now,

Peace and love

Xx

I spent the rest of my time in Auckland chilling out with the Argentinians and Brazilians – they’re really cool people and have inspired me to travel to South America for a decent period of time. Ideally my next trip will encompass middle and south America…we’ll see hey!!!!

Kia Ora

Wow, so today has felt manic in comparison to the past few days. I woke up excited because I was doing something other than lounging around (which has been needed).in fact I was booked to go on a sailing experience, sailing a previous  America’s Cup Yacht. This is something very exciting for me, as I am quite passionate about my sailing, and enjoy looking at stuff to do with the America’s Cup.

So we went out on the boat, about 25 of us and 4 official crew. The boats are designed to be sailed with 16 crew, so obviously some of us had to pull our weight. I was given to opportunity to be skipper for a bit, to be a grinder (hoisting the sails up and down) and also to be down in the sewer (right in the belly of the boat) hauling in the used sails so people don’t trip over them on deck. It was fun to be involved in sailing such a powerful boat, unfortunately we had no wind at all – spent more of the time cruising with the engines on that sailing. We did get to experience what it would be like to fully sail a yacht, and saw a few dolphins and penguins leaping about the boat. This was incredible and well worth the trip out into the harbour.

However, the lack of wind was a distinct problem and the main guy on board Ben phoned back to land and asked for us all to be given complimentary vouchers to be used again at any point so we could experience the boat properly. I have done enough sailing to know what sailing a fast boat is like, and it’s exhilarating, but I’d done what I wanted to do which was sail an America’s Cup Yacht. I therefore investigated if I could exchange my voucher for a trip up to Cape Reinga run by the same company.

Cape Reinga is a place which holds great spiritual significance for the Maori people. They believe that their spirits leave Aotearoa from this most northern point and the place is steeped in stories, histories, myths and legends. I managed to exchange my voucher so I have a 4WD trip leaving from Paihia up 90 mile beach to Cape Reinga where two oceans collide spectacularly. Also included in the trip is lunch, a sand boarding expedition and a chance to learn more about the Maori culture. I’m really looking forward to it – and I got it all for free (well included in the America’s Cup sailing experience).

After the sailing attempt I decided to have a look round the National Maritime Museum. This is really interesting, giving detailed information and accurate models of the boats the first Maori came to Aotearoa on, as well as how yachting became a favoured past-time of Aucklanders. It also gave details of the berths that migrants from Europe stayed in on their way over to New Zealand. It proved a very interesting couple of hours.

That’s been my day! On the cards for tomorrow is washing (fuuuunnn) and getting ready for my trip up to Bay of Islands on Monday. I’ll keep you updated on what happens up there!! And then, America bound. Definitely excited about America now – LA is meant to be warm when I’m there, definitely try to top up my tan J

That’s all for now.

Peace and love xx

Rotorua road trip

Ive already mentioned day 1...

Day 2 – Rotorua to Waitomo to Raglan (5^th April)

So today I woke up at Rotorua, by the lake. I couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque setting to be honest, the sun was just up (it was 6.30am) and the lake was steaming beautifully, giving off that rotting eggs smell. Hungry and desperate for the loo, I drove to Maccas. Here I had brekkie, used their facilities and organised myself with directions to the geothermal park and then to the caves.

A short drive later and I had arrived at Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland. It opened at8.30 and I had timed it perfectly. Wandering in, I bought my ticket (and a rain poncho as it was pissing it down) and orientated myself with the walk. It took an hour(ish) and took in some incredible geothermal activity. It was really interesting, especially given the earthquakes recently, and at times a little eerie due to the smog coming from the steam rising from the sulphur pools.

At 10.15 the Lady Knox Geyser was due to “explode”. I drove to the location, and took my seat in the amphitheatre surrounding the geyser. It was an interesting story, as the old prisoners used to wash their clothes in the hot pools, and one dropped in some washing powder and saw the geyser go off. The park still uses this principle, and puts in an environmental substitute to the washing powder to set the geyser off at the same time each day for the tourists. I found this a little disappointing if I’m honest; I kinda wanted to see it explode on its own. Nevertheless, it was still spectacular.

After this, I drove to Waitomo to see the glowworm caves. I got there an hour early so grabbed a bite to eat. The group then got transported to the cave system. We walked down a man-made spiral and entered a side chamber to the main cave. From here we walked around for 2 hours, oohing and ahhing over the stalagmites (from the floor up) and stalactites (from the ceiling down). We could also see a group black-water rafting below us. I wish I’d done this as it looked like a lazy river ride rather than a major thrill-seeking adventure. Oh well I shall know for next time hey!

My original plan was to spend the night in the Waitomo Caves area. However, there was nothing there other than some hotels and shitty backpackers. I didn’t fancy sleeping in my car there, so I drove to Otorahanga, where there was a 24 hr Maccas. (Yes Maccas are invaluable for road trips in this country – they’re always open, provide food and water and toilets and sinks and occasionally showers. Oh, how could I forget, free internet!) Anyway, I got some dinner and decided that Otorahanga wasn’t a good place to sleep either.

Instead, I had read a few leaflets that said Raglan was a surf mecca in New Zealand, and it so happens that it was on my way back to Auckland. So, guess where my car was headed?! There was nowhere to park my car for free, as the beach car park (where I’d planned to sleep) was right next to the cop shop and the firies and I didn’t fancy getting a fine! I drove around, trying to find a place to park, and came across a caravan park. That will do nicely. I’m sat in the tv room, catching up on the news and editing my pictures from today and charging some things, generally sorting myself out! And yes, free toilets which I don’t have to drive to!!

Day 3: Raglan to Auckland (6^th April)

I woke up to the sounds of the waves crashing on the black sand of Raglan Beach. I went and ate brekkie sat outside a café overlooking the river with the lush green Kiwi hillands in the background. Afterwards, a short drive to the surf beach along the soft, shimmering sand. A perfect morning you many say. However, I woke shivering like mad after a night spent in 6 degrees with no heating or blankets. I also had to spend a small fortune on brekkie and had to top up the fuel in the car. Not great.

These small issues could not detract from my beautiful surroundings. It was very pretty, but I wanted to get driving, so I found myself in Maccas in the middle of Hamilton. Hamilton is a nice little town about an hour and half south of Auckalnd. Free wifi from Maccas sure is a blessing, they’ve really cornered the backpackers with that one.

After checking stuff out online, I found myself back to Auckland, where I checked into the Nomads hostel. They have a sauna and Jacuzzi on the rooftop terrace, with nice clean rooms and a spacious kitchen. Best of all was the warm showers!!! I’ve got 5 nights there and I think I’ll be happy.

I met 3 French girls and have been hanging out with them after a movie session and some dinner (subway I’m afraid! However, risotto tonight all home-cooked…yummy). Auckland seems to be turning into a mecca for French backpackers I have met more here than anywhere else I’ve been so far. Nevertheless the one’s I’’ve met have been lovely people and good company. Time for me to have my tea and then bedtime. How much am I looking forward to sleeping in a warm room with a bed tonight?!

Peace and love my avid blog readers xx