Hahei

After a short stop at a fruit store our driver, Chucky, took us to a supermarket for beer and breakfast supplies before we made our way along the steep winding roads to Hahei. We journeyed through countryside filled with rolling hills and lush green forests, with palm trees hinting at a tropical climate that was never present, and beautiful views of the sea as it glinted in the sunlight and smashed against the cliffs. This is truly some of the best scenery in the north island - or at least what I've seen of it - and it goes to show just how rural the country is when you get out of the bustle of Auckland. Miles upon miles of greenery makes New Zealand a Ray Mears paradise, with only the occasional car to remind you that you are not in some forgotten land abandoned long ago.

01 On the way to Hahei

On the way to the hostel we stopped at Hot Water Beach, so called because when the tide is out you can dig a hole in the sand and sit in a pool of hot water from the springs beneath. We didn't get to do that for whatever reason (I can't remember what the excuse was - the weather or the tide or something) but I took a couple of nice pictures and then Chucky dropped us off at the walk to Cathedral Cove. After that it was back to the hostel for a BBQ and a few games of cards before bed, and the journey to Raglan the following morning.

02 Hot Water Beach

The main activity in Raglan was a surf school, but I intend to learn properly in Australia where the water is warmer and when I will (hopefully) have enough money. So Sarah, Beck and I went for a walk around the area on a jungle-like trail after it had been raining the entire day. Sarah managed to slip and fall on her arse which was quite humorous, and Beck took 12 years making her way round even with the use of a makeshift stick she had picked up along the way. After that we paid $2 for the use of the sauna and stayed in there up to the point where I was ready to faint.

An evening of omelettes, beers and more card games ensued, with a couple of free shoulder massages thrown in for good measure. Who said travellers have to live in squalor?

03 Getting arty farty again

04 ...and again

05 Cathedral Cove

06 Cathedral Cove

07 Guinness Advert

08 The giant struggled in the human world