Couchsurfing is the new black
Trip Start
Nov 07, 2005
1
30
75
Trip End
Nov 04, 2006
Whakatane and White Island,
New Zealand
Friday, May 5, 2006
Whakatane was to be my first experience of couchsurfing - a network of people all over the world who let stranger's come and stay with them for free. "What a madcap but potentially cool idea!" I hear you cry. And yes it is!
I know that going to stay at some random person's house might seem a bit odd, especially given the dangers of the internet but as long as you've got a dose of common sense and a Swiss army knife it's fine.
The idea is that they provide you with some sort of free accommodation and in turn, you do the same for others when you're at home
Mmmm, sulphur
. Sometimes you might just get a piece of floor or couch to crash on, other times, if you're lucky, you get the whole VIP treatment of a bed and dinner.I'd booked my couchsurfer a couple of weeks ago, a couple with 2 kids and a menagerie of animals, which was my main criteria for choosing them. My first inkling that they would probably be really nice and not maim and kill me was that they'd offered to pick me up from the bus. It turned out they actually lived 13km out of town so it was pretty much the only way for me to get there anyway.
I thought I might find it really odd at first but it was great. They were really welcoming, their oldest son gave up his room for me and they even cooked me dinner. They'd had a few couchsurfers stay with them before and the kids loved it, although the 4 year old was apparently distraught when the first couchsurfer had to leave.
The house was full of animals - 2 dogs, 2 cats (one called Ronnie Biggs who I'm sure The Cure named their song The Lovecats after - I challenge anyone who says cats aren't affectionate to tell me that after meeting this cat), 2 terrapins, 1 parrot and lots of fish. Needless to say I was never bored.
The reason I'd come to Whakatane was to visit White Island, named by Captain Cook, as all the steam coming from it made it appear white. It's actually a volcanic island. The island is about 50 miles offshore and they regularly cancel trips because of the sea conditions. But, lucky as we are, the day that Simon and I had booked was the most beautiful day they'd had in ages. Simon had been staying with another couchsurfing family in town, so this was our first reunion since Napier
This volcano could errupt anytime it likes
.Stupidly, despite the fact the sea is often choppy, I forgot to take any sea sickness pills, going along Simon's reasoning of 'positive thinking' is all that's needed to not be ill. I spent half the journey concentrating on the horizon and trying to feel ok, until my stomach got the better of me and my breakfast came to say hello to everyone. Fortunately one of the crew gave me a sick bag just in time. I hate being the only person on a boat who's seasick cos everyone stares at you while its happening and then pities you afterwards. I suppose most people who get seasick have the sense to avoid boats while I stupidly persist.
The island was pretty amazing although it's weird how un-volcano like a volcanic island looks. You know when you draw a volcano when you're a kid its all red and orange and bubbly? Well in reality its actually mostly greeny-yellow in places and very steamy. Unless it erupts of course. It might be a totally different colour then but I didn't stick around to find out.
The rotten egg (sulphur) smell was back with a vengeance, which wasn't great having just puked my guts up, but we had been given very attractive gas masks which helped a bit.
Thankfully the return ride was sick free.
I was kindly picked up by my couchsurfer when I returned and this time treated to Pizza Hut! I'd definitely recommend this couchsurfing business, and we're going to try it again in Fiji. It gives you a lot more insight into the real people in the country and their day to day lives. I even took the dog to the vet (she later ate all my cereal, sugar and peppermint tea as thanks) and the kids to school and met other members of the family. Ordinarily you only meet other backpackers and people who work in tourism, so it's a great way to experience the reality of the country. And the free accommodation is an added bonus of course.
www.couchsufring.com Sign up.
