Auckland & Bay of Islands

Flying Kiwi: Monday 14.01.08

It was sort of to a bad start. Ashley drove us to the pickup point at Queen and Quay Streets in Auckland. But her car broke down just as we got there. I hope she's okay - last I heard she was headed down to the South Island. So-Jung left for Australia, and Martin is now working in Auckland, I assume.

We drove straight up to the Bay of Islands, on the old bus named "Lola." Our guide is named Nga (the "g" is silent), and our driver is named Brad (or "Bred" if saying it with a kiwi accent). He's got one of the hardest kiwi accents to understand, and I have to really pay attention when he's speaking, otherwise it just flies right over my head.

Later in the afternoon I went on a bike/cycle ride, 15km, into the first campsite, which was very hilly and tiring. We started in the town called Paihia, up the hills around a scenic loop, and stopped to look at Huaruru Falls. Huaruru means "rumble" or "rumbling" which is evidently heard from the sound of the water. It reminded us of Niagara falls because it was wide and there was a constant mist hovering over the water.

The campsite was called "Bay of Islands Holiday Park" where we set up our tents and kitchen area. That night one of the cook groups whipped up some pasta for dinner, and afterward, some people left to go watch a Maori concert, which Sam and I opted out of. Since Sam and I decided not to share tents, I've got my own, and it's nice having my own private space. Not much for the first day, but it was nice and relaxed.

The first picture shows the group that we drove up with to Auckland before starting Flying Kiwi. [left to right: Sam, Me, So-Jung/Sojay, Ashley, Martin]. I miss 'em already. The other pics are of the 15km bike ride, with Huaruru Falls shown in the last one.