The Best Hostel In The World (so far)
Trip Start
Feb 04, 2008
1
8
46
Trip End
May 28, 2008
Paekakariki,
New Zealand
Friday, February 22, 2008
We couldn't get a hostel in Wellington because it was the weekend and there was a festival going on there (and we left it til the last minute). So instead we booked a hostel in Paekakariki, half an hour away from Wellington which sounded quite nice in the guidebook. Its a really small coastal village enclosed by mountains on one side and sea on the other. The hostel was set on top of a steep hill looking out to sea with no drive and only access by foot to get to it. The owners were so friendly and made us tea in a teapot (complete with teacups and saucers!)when we arrived. All around the garden and hostel were impressive sculptures and paintings that the owners had collected.
They had a dog called Missy who was a golden retriever crossed with something pointy, and 3 cute cats. They even had penguins nesting underneath the house!
The beach was beautiful and deserted so we went for a dip on the first day when it was baking hot. In the evening everyone gathered on the terrace to watch the sun plop into the sea. Being up high you got the most amazing view and the sea looked like it was sloping down towards us.
The following night we go the chance to sleep in a Mongolian Yurt that was set up in the grounds of their house. This was one swanky tent with a kingsize sleigh bed and ethnic wall hangings in relly bright colours and dark wooden furniture. There was no electricity so they supplied candles and a lantern. It something special!
