Driving around the North Island

It’s been raining in New Zealand for the past few days. Well, maybe not the entire country, but certainly where I’ve been.

We left off with my plan, dancing, and meeting my Birth Mum. A lot has happened since then. At the hostel I was staying at I saw a post-it-note with a message advertising a free ride around the country. Yup. A free ride. All I had to do was split gas - 3 ways. A pretty good deal if you ask me, considering bus trips on the north island start at $390! And I’m cheap, so obviously I said yes.

I sent off an email and 3 days latter I was in a car with Stacey (a fellow Canadian), and Hannah (a girl from Germany). The adventure started after we picked up Hannah. When Stacey put the car into reverse it lurched forward a few feet (we were on the hill). And it happened again. Before going into reverse a third time we decided it would be wise to have me stand in front of the car and push it. Two seconds later I jumped out of the way as the car proceeded to crush my arm. It was 2 inches away from the car in front. I have very small arms. Ok I don’t and I’m exaggerating since the car didn’t actually crush me, but it was 2 inches away. Since we couldn’t move the car without hitting the parked hybrid prius, we had to knock on every house on the street asking people to move the car. Unfortunately, the owner didn’t live there. So we had to wait. And wait. Just as we were about to call the AA the owner came. What a good start.

Wow this is really boring. It was certainly more interesting at the time. I think the coolest thing I’ve done so far was go to this “hot water beach”. There are thermal pools underneath the sand and you dig holes and have a little bath. It was incredibly cool (err hot), and a lot of work. I borrowed someone’s shovel and Stacey used a frying pan. Oh yes, it was pouring with rain. Torrential downpour. It’s been raining pretty much since we got here. Except for yesterday, and I took the opportunity to take a surfing lesson. I suck. I’m probably the worst surfer in the world. But Stacey sweet talked the instructor and it was only $40 for 2 hours. $40 New Zealand, so like $30. Pretty reasonable. Oh yes, there was human poo on our campsite at Mount Maunganoui.

I love camping in the rain.