Leaving Lake Waikaremoana
Trip Start
May 18, 2003
1
91
272
Trip End
Ongoing
Glenview Farm Hostel, Napier, North Island,
New Zealand
Sunday, February 29, 2004
Today was the first wet day of our East Cape tour, so it was just as well that this was going to be the last day of tramping around Lake Waikaremoana. For the past week we had been experiencing fantastic weather on the East Coast. Unbeknown to us during this time Auckland was being pelted by the worst rain storms in years.
With only a relatively short hike ahead of us today, we could afford to take a lazy breakfast and watch the rain outside from the comfort of our dry DOC hut. Whilst munching through the last servings of our rations we heard some German voices approaching. It happened to be a couple of Robert's colleges from the University of Auckland, doing the tramp in the opposite direction. It was quite surreal to invite them in and have a chat over some tea as if we were back in Auckland
EastCape76
. Neither Robert nor his friends had any idea that the other would be on holiday here, tramping around Lake Waikaremoana.After setting off for the boat landing we soon realised how wet the day was turning out to be, and decided that camping outdoors this evening would not be a good idea. We arrived at the boat rendezvous in good time, which meant waiting around for them to come and pick us up at the pre-arranged hour. We had planned our food rationing well, perhaps too well as we had no snacks left while waiting for the boatman.
Eventually we got picked up by the boat (which seemed even noisier than three days ago) and made our way across the lake back to the motor camp. Once offloading our backpacks and checking on Pam, we bought some well-deserved cookies before taking a long overdue hot shower. In no time at all we were refreshed and ready to head off in Pam towards Napier.
We had all thoroughly enjoyed the tramp around Lake Waikaremoana. There was no question about why this was one of the Great New Zealand Walks. Now that we had been hiking for three and a half days, our packs felt pretty light on our backs, and I could easily see why a longer tramp would be even more rewarding
EastCape77
.Later that afternoon we arrived in Napier - the Art Deco city. As we drove though the city centre streets taking in the modestly styled 1920s architecture, we were looking forward to walking around once sorting out our accommodation for the night. Unfortunately for us we had arrived in Napier on the same weekend as a major music festival was being hosted, and all the backpackers were full. We phoned around and asked for suggestions but there were no beds free anywhere in Napier. One backpacker suggested that we drive to the next city, as the closest towns were also full.
With the approaching storm we were not too keen on camping out tonight so we started phoning every single hostel in the BBH guide, within a reasonable radius of Napier. When Glenview farm hostel said they had only one bed left, but two of us could sleep in the lounge we told them we were on our way; after a customary stop at the Napier Foodtown for dinner supplies.
The farm hostel more than exceeded our expectations, and most important of all it had a real kitchen so we could cook a proper meal. When looking through the guestbook Sebastian and I noticed that a Dutch couple we met several months ago had also stayed here. How did this out of the way farm hostel get to be so popular?
To our surprise the lounge had been converted into excellent accommodation for the night, with very comfy beds. As the storm outside raged against the farm buildings I was very glad to be warm, dry and indoors while I drifted off to sleep.
