4th May
We awoke to a really nice blue sky morning, but the weather forecast had said it was going to deteriorate rapidly. So after breakfast and looking at weather maps, I headed out the door to see Peter. He had the same idea and we met out in the street where we both agreed that the day would not be ideal for flying. So I ended back home and instead Bhavni and I went to the big market south of us. It was really quite busy, and luckily we managed to avoid the rain showers whilst there mostly and bought us some fruit and veg.
On the way home it chucked it down, with very little viability around where I work. For the remainder I had a day chilling with Bhavni. It did indeed rain heavily and get stormy for the whole day.
5th May
After a relaxing start both Bhavni and I headed to Sues house for lunch. The Grants were also there. It was nice catching up with everyone and a nice meal as well. After lunch we headed to Peters house as his granddaughter – Isme – had just been christened. We just relaxed in the evening.
7th May
Bhavni was on night shift, but after I came home she awoke and we got food ready – full Shaak and Rotli with desert. This is because Nirav and Yugna were due to come and stay for the night. They turned up in a massive rental car and after welcoming them and a brief chat we sat for dinner as I had to drop Bhavni after to the hospital. After getting back I sat with the two in the lounge until late, before we retired close to midnight.
8th May
I left for work, after saying bye to Nirav and Yugna in the super heated spare room as they were off to visit the central north.
10th May
I was at work, but managed to leave on time to get home. I got home, opened the front door and saw that Nirav and Yugna had arrived and were chatting to Bhavni. Next thing I noticed was a great big footprint on the floor. “NIRAV!!!!” – even with it being Yugnas foot print. Well after that, we finished making food and Sivia arrived.
Taking Niravs hired car we left at 7pm ish and headed North up the SH1. Soon it was dark and it was a nice night time road trip all the way to Pahia. We arrived at the Waterfront Suites around 10pm and checked into the large apartment, had a bit more food and settled down for the night.
11th May
Bhavni and I woke up and got out of the door before the rest were ready as we went to the supermarket to get some provisions. The idea of english muffins confused everyone there, but I think I got a few converts.
After breakfast we got in the big hire car in the basement and drove up the SH10 north. We passed some amazing bays and views and even stopped at Doubtless bay for some photo opportunities (we were thinking of staying there but it was too much of a dive late on a Friday). We got to the SH1 junction and made a small diversion south to Kaitia as Silvia had forgotten her memory card. We eventually found one then headed back north on the SH1.
Just a little further north, we took a road off the motorway toward the coastal road. We had heard about the costal road, but nothing quite prepares you for it; As we got to the road junction – there was a sign – Extreme danger at low tide – many cars have been lost….Well we turned around, then turned back then wondered whether to ask anyone. Another car also was procrastinating, but eventually went another way. Finally we thought we would set down onto the sand and see how it was. After a dainty bit, we thought that we had some time while the tide was out, and there was a road back further on, so we continued. It was amazing watching the waves crashing, the nearly straight stretches of beach and the mist.
We stopped some time later having confidence in the timing and driving and had some food and photo opportunities. We had a couple of cars “overtake” and we also met some locals who said that the tide would be out for a while so make the best of it. Eventually – we got to the end of the 90 mile beach and so the way out…. it was going out through a stream, well buses do it so could we. This got us into the interior with massive sand dunes, which people were boarding down. Some of us climbed to the top of one – another brilliant view.
Getting back to the roads we carried on taking in the views. I had to insist that we got to Cape Rienga instead of stopping all the time as we only had so much day. Parking there we then walked to the lighthouse. Its cool seeing the turbulent Tasmin sea meeting the calm pacific ocean – no wonder the Mauri inspired stories exist.
After some time taking in the sights and photos we headed back. This time just along the motorway. It started getting dark and by the time we got to Kirikiri it was past 8pm. We had food at a Italian pizza restaurant (our first choice of the black olive was full). It was really quite nice.
After dinner we drove back to Pahia and to the apartments where we relaxed for a while (strange tv program watching by Nirav) before hitting the hay.
12th May
In the morning Bhavni and I got up and went for a walk to get some photos of the sunrise. Something was being set up in the morning, but it was still quiet. By the time we got back everyone had woken up, so we had breakfast. Outside there was a race going on and we saw lots of people racing to the treaty grounds from our window.
We had asked for availability for Nirav and Yugna to go on the dolphin cruise and there was plenty so we sent them off whilst we finished off and checked out. We left the big hire car out whilst we went for a wonder around Pahia. There was a blues and country song festival, so around all the street corners there were performers singing and members of the public following along (including line dancing).
Bhavni, Silvia and I had a walk around, shopping for souvenirs and bits and pieces, before we returned and collected the car and drove to the car ferry for the short ride across to Russel. In Russel we walked up to the Flagstaff monument which was a good 20min walk uphill. After the good view we went back to Russel and had a wonder before Yugna and Nirav came back, where we met them at the dock.
After the usual procrastination we chose a place to eat and had some food, before driving back towards Auckland. On the way back we stopped at the famous toilets at kawakawa and a quick wonder. The next stop was at Whangerai where we showed the guys the waterfall there. Someone had forgotten a pair of glasses there, so we took a bit to decide what to do – nothing as the person may come back.
Getting back to Auckland, Silvia left and we made a bit of food – Kichi after following a recipe recited from by Bhavni’s Surya Masi. A bit salty so we had to make some more to compensate.
13th May
A normal work day for us. Nirav and Yugna went to Wahiki. In the evening we had a relaxing time whilst they finished of their packing.
14th May
Nirav and Yugna left really early in the morning – our last guests.
15th May
In the evening we went to the harbour to meet Bhavni’s friend at a bar on the waterfront, it was easy to get there and we could park quite close. We were joined by Silvia and James there and after a couple of drinks we had some food (after scoping out the local eateries).
18th May
The weather was better then forecast and as Bhavni was at work I decided to go flying, where I did some instructing.
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