Bay of Islands

I meant to write this up and post it Sunday night right after I returned from this day trip because I felt so moved afterwards, but my last two nights became unexpectedly busy when I was able to meet up with the best friend of one of my past CSers who had just been in Christchurch for the weekend for a handball tournament.  I can't ever say no to these kinds of meetings because if a trusted friend says the person is worth meeting, well in my experience they are typically worth meeting ...even if it means staying out til 2:30 when you have to wake up at 7:30 the next morning!  And meeting Neto was no exception!  He is an all around great guy with such a cool background.  He's from Brazil, but nearly has New Zealand citizenship he's been there so long.  He's actually a regular "extra" under contract in the TV show Spartacus which films in Auckland.  (He is a personal trainer and they are using him for his body :)  But we might get to meet up in London too this summer when he is there for some training in July!)  So now I'm not sure that I can turn my scattered notes into a sensible post that really does justice to the day three days later, but I will try!  


I almost didn't make this specific trip.  Two other people I met, one an Auckland local that I met in Australia and the other another traveler who had already been there, discouraged me from going to the Bay of Islands since it's quite out of the way and I would have so few days in New Zealand - they proclaimed it not worth it.  However, on Saturday evening, the day before, I checked the forecast and saw that it had changed from rain to almost full sun and in an instant I changed my mind unable to imagine a better way to spend a Sunday and Mother's Day.  Boy, am I glad I went.  The first hour and a half of the drive was worth it alone.  I wasn't thrilled about spending the day alone, but everyone I knew in Auckland had other plans or wasn't interested in the destination.  So in the car I was at first feeling a bit lonely, but as I drove across the harbor bridge my mood completely changed and an excitement came over me with the great views, early morning sunshine, and great playlist that was coming out of the car stereo thanks to Stephen and Jennifer's Christmas gift!

My mantra and friendly reminder already displayed in my rental car

My little rental car, the Fish!

View of the Auckland skyline in the morning getting to my car 

View of Auckland from the harbour bridge heading north (I have no idea how my camera captured such a sharp image, but I badly need to get my lens cleaned after 7 weeks of abuse to it!)

North of Auckland is just small towns connected by very, very scenic roads!  And driving along these roads, I could understand why Americans love cars.  Armed with my own rental car once we got to Auckland, I was filled with an exuberant independence taking this 3-4 hour Sunday drive on a more beautiful than beautiful autumn day.  The wind was whipping my hair and the scenery was becoming more and more gorgeous with every curve and I couldn't help but just beam with happiness.  It's kind of poetic how I was feeling zooming up and down the rolling hills and winding curves.  There were so many times I wanted to stop for pictures of the sky, the hills, and especially the trees lining the road at different points with their fall-colored leaves, but there was rarely a shoulder along the road when I needed one.

I really didn't do much once arriving there in Paihia (the main city on the bay) except eat lunch, journal, walk around, people watch some marathon 60yo+ swimmers and stop at a cafe for hot chocolate and a bit of afternoon live music.  I would have to say that the day's adventure really was the journey and not the destination this time around.  I, for once, heeded the discouragement of others for renting a kayak all by myself and was really more excited for the drive back to Auckland (Neto had messaged me that he was free) ...but this time taking on the crazy roads in the dark!

Oh!  And I almost forgot!!  I got out of my very first speeding ticket on the morning's drive!  It was less than 2 hours into the drive in a town I believe called Wellsford and the speed limit had dropped from 100kph to 50kph and I just didn't slow down quick enough and a cop was just cresting over a small hill coming at me and did an immediate U turn to come and pull me over.  (He told me I was doing 65 in a 50 zone.)  But Jucy rental car back window decal to the rescue and the officer's first words to me when I rolled down the window were "I only just noticed this was a rental car.  Where are you from?"  Being from the USA saved the day!!

I encountered this sign about an hour after being pulled over!  yikes!  They mean business!