Iceland! The Reykjavik Experience!

Tjornin: Icelandic for The Lake or The Pond

Wow! Has it been a whole year since I’ve gone on vacation? It sure felt like it. Especially the last few weeks leading up to our departure. Marc had set a goal of one new country a year and when I heard that you can fly to Iceland in about the same time it takes to get to the west coast, I was in!

Our flight was relatively easy although the cabin itself was freezing! Marc was kind enough to jump up to snag my coat from my carry on shortly before we departed, only to get yelled at by the crew. ” I’m sorry, it’s my fault! ” I yelled loudly to defend him , ” I thought I would only be cold once we got there!” That seemed to defuse the situation and I wore that coat half the way there. I think WOW airlines likes to acclimate people to their destination as on the way home, it was really warm.

We landed in Keflavik at about 6 am on Sunday morning to a surreal world of rain and foggy mist hanging in the air. The time change is just four hours ahead of the East coast, but when you leave at seven pm, you kind of miss a nights sleep. This probably contributed a bit to the alienness we experienced our first day there.

We drove about 45 minutes to get to Reykjavik through a green and gray landscape of rocks and moss with the occasional  seagull flying by. I think we passed one small town, but it was almost a ‘blink and you missed it’ kind of deal. We were more entranced with the radio and seeing what Icelanders are listening to. Turns out they are big into 90’s nostalgia and I know I heard a Brittney Spears song followed by a reworked version of Dolly Parton’s Jolene. Heavy metal style!

Once we found our digs for the night, we parked the car and started exploring. At 7 a.m., not much is open yet, but we found the Einar Johnsson grounds open to the elements and to visitors. He was Iceland’s first sculptor and died in 1954, at which time his home and grounds were turned into a museum and sculpture garden. His work is very powerful and found in several parts of Iceland. Neat to see the rain on the sculptures too!

We had heard that Iceland is big on pastries and breads and it didn’t take us too long to find a good spot for breakfast. The  cinnamon roll was fabulous and it was so neat to hear the polyglot of languages swirling around us as we savored  our meal.

The rest of the day was broken up by short naps; stolen wherever  and whenever we could, a trip out to a lighthouse, hunting for a natural hot spring that someone had pointed out to Marc on a map (found it too, but it was more for feet than anything else), and soaking in a nearby spa that was recommended to us as a good place to meet locals. They had much to say about immigration and tourism, not all of it positive, but it was good to get some different perspectives, and to ride a water slide again! A great way to wind down after a crazy first day.

Grotta Lighthouse in Reykjavik

Our second day in Reykjavik was cool and sunny. After an early morning cup of tea,  and an apple, we went out to do some more exploring around town. Iceland has about 320,000 people and 200 thousand of those live here in Reykjavik. We headed up the hill and turned in at the sculpture garden again to get a different perspective in the sunshine.

As we were strolling the grounds, we started chatting with a young woman enjoying the sunshine. Birna was sitting on the grass enjoying a cigarette and, as she told us later, waiting for her class to start. We all sat in the sun, warm enough to take our jackets off and   have a cross cultural experience with this cool artist! She’s a painter and does the most beautiful tatted lace. We also talked about the music scene and she showed us a music video of one on her friends. Olafur Analds featuring her friend Nanna Byndisilmards. The song is called Particles.

Birna showed us a couple of her favorite streets on the way to a coffee shop close to her class. We parted in  brightly lit square after sipping tea and being harassed by a some opportunistic bees.

We continued down to the waterfront, and found the spiffy cool sculpture honoring the Vikings.

Solfar (Sun Voyager) Sculpture

As we continued to walk the streets, we got a sense of how accessible and sensibly laid out everything is and that you can pretty much walk everywhere you want to go if you have several hours available. We got to Harpa for a neat little four wall and a ceiling nature movie experience before turning inward again towards our hotel. That’s when we found the coolest little gem of a cemetery. Hollavallagardur  is the oldest cemetery in Reykjavik and was opened in 1838. Amazing to walk through the narrow, lanes between graves green with moss and age.  Mature trees sometimes growing directly  above.

We found embassy row and a nice park by the lake, and more amazing art work.

Do you see stealth Marc in his Elven cloak of hiding?

There was some relaxing back at the hotel before we went out for dinner. The lateness of the sunset meant that we could go have dinner, and then head to a prime viewing spot. The summit of the little park boasts a sculpture of the first settler to Iceland, Ingolfur Arnarson. Who did the statue? Einar Jonsson. Of course. A great way to end the day.

Gorgeous, Isn’t it?

Favorite Places to Eat

Marc took me to some of his previously loved restaurants and we also found some new ones to love together. Some of the best were:
Gorgonzola: With great pizzas and enack ( tasty) Italian food how could we go wrong? The setting is lush and low with comfortable coaches and standard tables as well. The owner Gibson is a really gracious host and with live entertainment of Saturday night, it’s easy to stick around for one more daiquiri or Bahama Mama.

Lucy & Agus Entertain

With Gibson

Puti Intan is a halal place just down the street from Nirmala. Most every time we come, Dani is behind the counter cooking something or serving guests. The food there was awesome, if a tad spicy.

Can you see all the food on the shelves behind Dani?

Our Usual. Left Plate:Fried Chicken, Tamerind Beef, Casava Leaves and Rice with Sauce. Marc’s: Fried Chicken, Crispy Beef, Fried Omlet and Rice with Sauce and Sambal (spicy tomato sauce)

The most romantic place we went was Jimbaran Beach @ sunset. The seafood restaurants line the beach and tables stretch halfway or more to the surf.  Watch the sun go down before ordering.The prawns are to die for, and the red snapper, octopus and clams are all pretty good as well. Wash it all down with some Bintang besars, and it’s all good.

Jimbaran Prawns & Clams with Balinese Sauce, Rice, Spinach and Bintangs

Coconut Smoke in the Sky at Jimbaran Beach

We also tried GaRaSe many times for breakfast, lunch and occasionally dinner. Breakfasts were funny. I don’t think we ever got our toast with the meal. It always came when you’ve just finished the eggs and was usually only “warmed”.

Flower in the back courtyard @ GaRaSi

We went to the Kopi Pot in Kuta a couple of times. Their tea is awesome. Nice when you can score a bale too.

Also went to Mama’s; a German Restaurant in Kuta that Marc remembers from ten years ago. They are famous for their ham hocks. Their pork scalopine wasn’t bad either.

Looking down onto Legion Street

Right, so before I go, a little menu fun. Sometimes they try so hard…

And, one ettiquete lesson for folks using Western bathrooms.

Last one for Bali is the paragliding post. Stay tuned for updates!

Paragliding, Monkeys and Sunset at Dreamland Beach

Food Hall Cooks Near Timbus. The Food is Great and their fried chicken is to die for!

So some pretty good things have been happening here in Bali recently.  The weather has gotten a little better (thank the gods), but we’re still getting frequent rain storms. The wind continues to try and dissuade the para-gliders from taking off but with perseverance and a second flying site to launch from, Marc has been able to fly more in the last week and a half then the whole time we’ve been here. It means I get to hang out at Gunung Payung a lot and swing in my hammock when I’m not taking pictures of the guys flying or going for a hike through the cow pastures.

Such a life.

Marc Flying His Green Nivuk2

You meet people from all over the world out here.  The folks that come for a tandem, the wives and girlfriends of the pilots, occasionally a few kids running around. It’s a festive atmosphere made more amusing by the drink and snack folks that fall all over themselves to be the first to sell you a beer, a coke, a snack. Usually at a four hundred percent markup.  Then there are the locals that help to fold up the wings or help you launch.  I’ve seen more than one launch that ended up back in the trees.  Well, it was windy that day.*LOL*

Reky, one of the members of the Indonesian Paragliding Team. He also does tandems.

Playing Can’t Catch Me

I have met a few female pilots but so far it seems to be a mostly male dominated sport. At least, that’s been my observation. One of the people Marc met the other day was a guy from Nepal. I think he has a paragliding shop there and teaches as well. He let Marc try out his new Nivuk3 wing.

Ready to launch!

Marc flies the red Nivuk3. Yes, it really is better.

I have a feeling he might be thinking about a trip to Nepal sometime in the future. I told him to bring me back something nice… if he doesn’t bring me. *Lol* Oh, speaking about the people you meet, Marc got to meet up with his friend Kim from Norway. Evidently Kim heard he was here and had some vacation time coming so he came to Bali to visit friends. He stopped by one night with a nice little bottle of Whiskey and with some good music and Bintang’s, they got to catch up a bit and I got introduced. Nice guy, is Kim.

On another note, I finally got to see some monkeys! We stopped at Bali Cliff one day and there they were. A whole troupe of  Balinese long tailed Macaques! We were totally unprepared and they were not impressed by that. Of course, after Marc came back with some food their attitude changed in a hurry! The big male leader actually stole a bag of nuts right off the bike and gobbled them down in a minute. After that, Marc would distract him and throw him treats one at a time while I threw snacks to the others. Especially the momma with the baby. They wouldn’t go near him. Looked like they were all afraid of him. He’d stand his ground too. The foot stomp didn’t even make him blink.

That big boy had no fear

Grooming Behavior

I have an even better monkey story to tell you all about, but that will have to wait till next time. Other things we’ve done that are on this “roll of film” are the sunset we finally got to see at Dreamland Beach. Can you believe in five weeks or so, this is the best and near only nice one we’ve seen? Ya, I told you the weather has been weird.

Sunset @ Dreamland Beach

Sunset Surfers

Oh, and we did get to Jimbaran Beach again for prawns and Red Snapper in Balinese sauce. OMG is it good! So good and we were so hungry we just dove right in and by the time I thought to take a picture my hands were really messy and they don’t really believe in napkins here so I couldn’t take a picture. Next time, ok? I did take a picture though of the wandering musicians who serenade the tables at dinner time. Marc said they must know at least one song in twenty odd languages and they knew plenty of English songs. They are awesome! Next time, I’m going to ask for some Elvis.

Next time I promise I will tell you all about my monkey story and the beach and everything else on this next roll of film, ok? Y’all take care!

Getting Ready For The Jump

Half Moon Bay @ Sunset

We returned to Auckland with two weeks remaining before the flight to Bali. We tried to make it all count. There were a flurry of text messages and phone calls to set up a loose plan at Jane’s before we set off again in the camper van. First stop was our friend Kevin’s for a dinner with him and his girlfriend Zylah. The roast chicken was so good and it was really nice to have a home cooked meal again. The fire in the fireplace was welcoming and it was great to catch up with the two of them.  I know we could have spent the night there but Marc had scouted out a good park up spot close by in Half Moon Bay and we were reluctant  to sleep anywhere else as our time in the van was getting short. The next day, we took Kevin’s advice and hit Musick Point for a short tramp before moving on.

Marc and I had been wanting to hit up the hot springs at Paraki one more time before we left so that was  the plan our first weekend back. We picked up some steaks and headed for a relaxing sojourn in Helensville. It was a bit warmer that day so our strategy was to go for the water slide first while we were dry and then do it again after we’d been soaking for an hour or so. While not that cold outside, it was still a bit nippy out of the sun. Man, were we relaxed after that trip!

He Is So Handsome

Marc Shows A Finely Tuned Sense Of Style For The Walk Home

Marc Grills Dinner

We returned to Janes for a few days to start sorting out stuff before taking off again for Mangawhai Heads.This time though, I followed  him in the rental car. First stop was Te Arai Point for a short tramp to the point to check out a cool daredevil spot. When it’s warm and  the tide is in, people  like to jump into the slot between the two cliffs and let the tide wash them back and forth. It looked intriguing and maybe a spot to come back to the next time we’re here.

I So Want To Do This!

Atop Te Arai Point. Can You See My Shadow?

Pakari Beach Is Just To The North of The Point. Good Surfing Here

Marc had been wanting to see Murray and Olivia  again to tell them some of the places their old camper van had been and some of the sights we had seen along the way. We were shocked to discover Murray had a heart attack shortly after we bought the van from him, but he looked well during our visit. He even came out later to drink a couple of beers with us and  let us park in his yard for our last overnight. It was a great visit.

Following the Van

The next morning was spent depersonalizing, cleaning and moving the rest of our stuff out of the van before meeting the new owner at the garage. We’d heard Carl and Judy were still keen to buy it but wanted to get it checked out first. No worries mate! We put about nine thousand kilometers on it in our five months but it is still in really good condition. It will need a new radiator down the line but except for needing a regular service it’s good to go. They got a deal! Marc spent some time with Carl going over stuff before Judy came home and we went to make the transfer legal. They were so excited and Carl was thrilled that Marc threw in the BBQ grill too. He said he’d always wanted one. We hope they enjoy the camper van as much as we did. Happy Glamping Carl and Judy!

Old Owners and New

I had to get hit up by the rest stop roosters one more time on the way back to Janes. I tried to feed them breadcrumbs. Aren’t they pretty?

I Tried To Snatch a Feather But They Were too Quick For Me

Soon after our return we headed out again to visit our friend Margaret in Drury. She was the first Kiwi we met in New Zealand and a flatmate as well for our first month here. Really good to stop by for  a cup of tea before we all went out for dinner. She’s been riding since she was small and currently shares second horse duties with her friend Annie for the Master of the Pakuranga Hunt. I really need to do a blog post just about Margaret some time. She is a fascinating woman and we’ve had some great meals and conversations with her.

Margaret, Marc and Me

We can’t go too long without a party and Jane thought our leaving would be a great excuse to have one. Wait…. THAT doesn’t sound right. *Laughs* In any case Jane decided to throw a Christmas in June party as they don’t get a chance to have a traditional Christmas here. It’s summer then and everyone’s on holiday. She made up the guest list, decorated and invited everyone. I made Jello Shooters and helped with the post party clean up. Marc wore the santa suit and I got to be head elf. Jane looked smashing as Mrs Claus. I think I’ve finally found someone with a more extensive wardrobe than mine. All told, about twenty-five or so made the bash and we had a blast! Now, what do I do with all the leftover shots?

Mr & Mrs Claus and the Head Elf

Marc Dips Jane

Adrian Looked So Spify

Debs and Myself

Not much more to tell after that. We’ve just been sorting out our stuff really. What to take, what to leave behind, and what to give to friends. Also made a run to the op-shop for books as Marc says they’re expensive in Bali. Hopefully, we’ll have enough to last and we can leave them behind to make room for stuff we pick up there.

So, that’s it for now, We’re going to meet Rach for dinner tomorrow night and our friend Debs is taking us to the airport very early Wednesday  morning. I’ve got a new supply of anti nausea medication and hopefully I’ll just be conked out for most of the flights. We do have a short layover in Brisbane, Australia though. Not sure we get off the plane but I can hope, eh? I won’t be taking my computer to Bali and it may take me a bit to work out the internet cafes there but my next post should be from Bali. OMG! OMG! OMG! I’m so excited!

One Last Look At Our Home On Wheels. It Was Awesome!

Reefton to Ohua’s Waterfall Surprise

Swingbridge Outside of Reefton

What an exciting day we’ve had. We’re on the north island now and exploring the south-eastern coast before continuing on up to Napier. The winds were fierce today as we explored around Castle Point and there was a an extra bit of excitement when Marc  strained his ankle. He’s resting with an elevated foot and an ice pack and earlier he got some anti-inflammatories. He’ll be fine, but between his ankle and the wind today we haven’t gotten as far as originally intended. Might as well catch y’all up on the rest of the sights on the south island before our time here runs out.

I left off with Arthur’s Pass and the Keas last time. As we were on a mission to do all the passes on the south island, we hooked around to pick up the Lewis Pass and go back towards the east coast. We stayed in Reefton one night and met our host briefly the next morning on our way out. Turned out to be a fortuitous meeting as Dom gave us a print out of things to see and do along the way.

First stop was the Inanhuaga Swingbridge.  Beautiful little spot we actually could drive right up to. It’s not a very long bridge but one of the more entertaining. It was also older and moved more than any others we’d been on. A guardian fantail stopped by to check us out near the middle of the bridge. They are such fast little flyers, and very curious.

Forbidden Waterfall

That same day we stopped at an unnamed, closed DOC park. It was shut due to flood damage, but we’d heard there was a pretty spectacular waterfall there. Although the ground was a bit soft in places and any sign of the bridges that once stood were  long gone, we still managed to climb up the rough path and ford the stream to make our way as close as possible. We worked for it, but it was so worth it.

Steep As In Places

Well, what to do after such an adventure? We went to Hanmer Springs for the geothermal springs of course. This is by far the biggest complex I’ve ever seen and had a large variety of pools ranging from natural sulphur, aqua therapy and a lazy river to a kids section with water slides and obstacle courses. We got a day pass so we could soak twice. It was so nice to walk home from the spa  that night all steamed up  and  feeling like jelly. The lights in the park seemed to impart a magical glow.

Sulphur Pools.

Our next big adventure was doing Jollies Pass and Jacks Pass on our way to Kaikoura. The NZ Frenzy book did try to caution us against going up Jollies but we figured we’ll see. I am glad to say we made it, however we wouldn’t ever try such a stunt again. Kinda scary, narrow, rutted logging truck road with water features and steep drop offs. Absolutely beautiful views from the top though.

Really? The Road Goes Through This?

Outside Kaikora it was absolutely fog bound when we arrived. So we decided to just do a short tramp next to the tracks to see an old train wreck. Not sure when this happened or even what happened, but my best guess is that part of the limestone cliffs collapsed and sent the train onto the sand. Really eerie scene in the fog with the tide coming in and the silence of the wreck scattered amongst the rocks. Continuing that sense of disquiet was in hearing a flock of birds heading north overhead as we crossed the river on the train tracks before  returning to the van.

Look Close

We stayed in Kaikoura with a friend of a friend. Steve in Dunedin had told us to look up his cousin when we arrived and he’d hook us up with some crays. Indeed he did. Kaikoura is famous for crayfish, although we’d heard the prices there can be astronomical. Our local host sold us two from his freezer and we had them the next night with champagne as we celebrated my birthday a day early. Of course, we did do a five-hour tramp first. We tried to get to Spyglass Point, but only managed to do the four kilometers to the beach and rock hopped about two bays before realizing that it wasn’t in the cards. Still, had an awesome time and the sunset on the waves as we walked back was  like the wrapping on my gift.

The Goal Is In View

As Close As we Could Get With A Telephoto Lens

The Track Ran Parallel to The Tracks

Neat Flowers…. I Think

Dinner! Ask Us About The Aftermath If You Want To Hear A Funny Story

There was only one more destination on the south island before we headed for the ferry. The Ohau seals have an unusually good deal  going for their pups. Each fall and winter, the pups head up the  stream  300 hundred meters to a waterfall where they play, fight, and grow stronger as they learn  all about being a seal. There is a nice raised walkway built over parts of the stream and we saw seals everywhere we looked. Playing with sticks, rock hopping up and down the stream and sleeping in favorite locations around the path. While not exactly friendly, they were a little bit curious and a lot cute. It was hard to get a good picture of them as they seemed to be constantly in motion. The bowl at the bottom of the falls  fairly rolled with sleek brown missiles. It was mesmerizing.

Playing Keep Away

That was the last thing we did before leaving on the ferry to get back to the north island and Wellington. We’re now coming down to the last three weeks of our stay here before we move on to Bali. Already, things have an urgency and a poignancy that wasn’t there a few weeks ago and I’m beginning to feel a little sad at the thought of our immenint departure. While we will come back to New Zealand from Bali, it will only be for a short period of time before we fly back to the states and all the reality waiting for us there.  I’m going to miss New Zealand; the land and the people. Hope they’ll have us back sometime.

Dunedin to Lake Tekapo

We arrived back in Milton the day after Anzac Day. Anzac Day celebrates the brave men and women of New Zealand and Australia that fought and died for their countries.

It’s so great to be on the road again! Marc seems to have conquered his jet lag and we’re getting back into the familiar routine that has served us well while traveling. Which is mainly, I take pictures of everything in sight and Marc drives and grills everything that can be. It’s a good life, especially if you like carcinogens. After eating much more healthily for the two weeks I was back at Jane’s, it’s good to be a little bad.

Steve & Barb. The camera must have been having issues that day as they’re not blurry people.

We got back to Dunedin after our hiatus and were met by our two new friends Steve and Barb. These are some of the friends of friends we met right before we left for Auckland. We didn’t get to meet her two girls though until this second weekend where we got to hang out with the whole family, check out the girls’ homework, watch a movie, drink some Tui beers and solve all the worlds problems. We were also all invited over to Mark and Catherine’s  for dinner the next night and once again, I do believe things would run differently if we were in charge. Did learn about something here called a roof shout though that I don’t think you could do in the states. Seems they have a tradition  where when a roof gets put on a building, the contractor brings everyone on the work crew a couple of beers. They drink the beers on site and then will continue the party at a local pub. Evidently it’s bad luck not to lay on a roof shout. This could not happen in the states.

Mark & Catherine. More new friends.

After that lovely weekend we started the pilgrimage to Mt Cook. There were a couple of interesting tramps in the area we wanted to do and lots of sights to see. We can’t resist a good second-hand shop though and when we saw the sign for The Oddity, we knew we had to stop and check it out. This has got to be one of the best little shops we’ve found on our travels. It’s owned and stocked by a group of three friends that all have different areas of interest and expertise so there is a wonderful eclectic mix of retro furniture, vintage books, antique kitchen implements, clothes and tchotchkes. If you’re ever near Waikouaiti  in Otago you must stop by and check them out.

Art Deco Stand

Graeme and I stand in front of his retro collection @ The Oddity

We got to stop again at a park over property we stayed on once before as we’ve been through the area previously. Glenmac Farms is a working farm raising beef cattle and sheep on six thousand acres. This is where Marc first saw a silencer on the farmers shotgun and when asked what it was for, the laconic answer; rabbits. The trees  have their fall colors now and the sunset was spectacular that day.

A couple of studs.

Back on the road again, it wasn’t too long before we were getting glimpses of Mt Cook. After an hour of playing hide and seek with the mountain, we arrived at our destination. The Tasman Glacier View Track offers just that. A twenty-minute walk up the path brought us to a view-point where we could look down on the lake with lots of icebergs floating  and the glacier itself covered with rubble and bits of white showing through where icebergs have calved off. It was a nice way to get back into tramping after all the rain I had in Auckland.

Pointing the way to Mt Cook/ Aoraki

On the Tasman Track

We stayed close to the mountain that night as there was a much longer tramp planned for the next day. We parked at the Glentanner motor park and once we plugged into power, we had everything going. Two small space heaters, lights, the works. It was much-needed as it dropped below zero that night. It was pretty comfortable though we did use all our blankets to sleep. Marc says the grilling outside wasn’t too bad either as the gas grill does keep him fairly warm when he’s out there.

Hor D’ourves @ camp. We suffer so, we do.

Our camp site. You can just see Mt Cook to the right of the van

Me prepping for dinner

The massive tramp came the next day when we did the Hooker Valley track. This tramp starts at the car park and winds its way though bush, beside a river, past several waterfalls, over three swing bridges and two wee bridges and around a couple of hills until you’re smack dab in front of the Mt Cook/ Aoraki separated only by Hooker lake. What an amazing tramp! It took us about two hours each way as we do like to take many pictures and explore as we go. About half way in, the wind really kicked up and I’m so glad we had our parkas with us. We had a snack of oranges, granola bars and water while we rested at the half way mark  and used the binoculars to check out the icebergs floating in the lake and the massive mountain looming above. We slept really well that night with thoughts of the reward we would treat ourselves to the next day.

On the track to Mt Cook. The southern alps are right behind him

Mt Cook!

On the return trip

Lake Pukaki @ sunset. This is where all the glacier melt from Mt Cook ends up. The water is milky with ground rock.

There is really only one thing to do after a massive tramp like that and that is to soak in a hot springs. We had driven to Lake Tekapo afterwards so we would be ready for an all day soak the next day. The walk from the camp to Lake Tekapo Hot Springs was only about fifteen minutes and the springs offers a shuttle service which was good as it rained all that day. It’s a novel experience, sitting outside in steaming hot water and having raindrops plinking down on your head.  There are three pools ranging from warm, warmer and really warm and I tried them all although we  mostly stayed in the hottest pool. We weren’t cold at all except for the brief, bracing walk to and from the change room.  We stayed for a couple of hours before going home for lunch and then came back again for a couple of hours before dinner. It was divine. I believe we slept very well again that night.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

Oooooooohhhhhhh!!!!!!

We headed for Christchurch after that, but I believe this is enough story for right now. I will pick up again here next time on Chasing Summer. I hope everyone is doing well and to my cousin Alex…. Dude! Happy Graduation man! You did it! I am so happy for you and wish I could be there for your party. I’ve gotten you a card but it will be a late arrival. Just know that I am so proud of you for sticking through it and coming out the other side with a dream realized.You rock! And so do Aunt Lil and Uncle Pat, eh?

On The Road; Part 1

Murray & Olivia; Our Beasts Previous Owners.

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. As I sit here writing this, we are parked in Maitai Bay on the Karikari peninsula with the wind rocking the camper van steadily. Marc is outside flying a kite and later we’re going for another tramp to the isthmus that separates Maitai and Merita Beach. I want to tell you how we got here, but in the interest of breaking things up, this is going to be a two parter.

We picked up the camper van from Murray and Olivia but spent one more night in their yard as it was getting on towards dark when the debriefing was over. The next morning though was bright and sunny and we drove to the Uretiti Reserve DOC Camp. We have passes but unfortunately those kick in on Feb 1st. Ah well. Easily found a great spot and pitched camp. Put up some of the awning to cut the wind. It was nice. After climbing over the dunes and flying some kites along the beach, we came home to find a young couple with young children camped ten feet from us. Cultural differences perhaps, but we have to give them props for getting their kids into camping so young.

Camped @ Uretiti

Ridiculously nice!

Mangawhai Heads Shell Hunting

After a lunch and shell scrounging at Manawhai Heads, we headed back to Janes. We needed to get the van packed and get ready for an engagement party the next day. Great story here. Tony was our flatmate’s previous roommate and he found a great partner over the internet. We’ve had dinner with them several times and they are such warm people and suit each other well. No firm date set as of yet.

Tony & Kerrie; the happy couple

We did another trial night camping; or glamping as Debs calls it that evening. She actually came with us and we got to watch the sun set together. That was such a nice evening with champagne to offset the glorious sunset. After a lovely dinner, we watched everyone else leave before they locked the gates. Then it was just us and the gannets and the surf. Pretty cool, eh?

Debs, Marc & myself

Maori Beach Sunset

Sunset Progression

Finally got to see another beautiful sunset tonight. Although some of the pictures may be a little blurry; it’s still pretty neat to see. Also learned something tonight. Use the flash for a crisper picture, and stabilize your arms on something to minimize the blurriness. I may have to try this again sometime.