Onward bound
Trip Start
Jul 11, 2008
1
18
37
Trip End
Nov 24, 2008
Rotorua,
North Island,
New Zealand
Monday, October 20, 2008
I saw Rory and Sharon again before I left as I spent about 2 hours in the common room waiting for my bus (better than lugging the backpack all round Auckland in that time.) Was chatting away for ages and as I've done many times already on this trip, swapped emails addresses. They offered me aplace to stay in Canada should Igo over next year. I'm hoping I will butit's an open offer for the future. Lovely people, I was very sad to e leaving in a way as I would have loved to hang out with them more but then I have to ramble on to take in all the things I want to see.. I'm sure I'll bump into them again along the way as ost backpackers follow the same route.
I got to the station around 12.45 for my bus at 1.15 and who should I bump into but another guy from Northern Ireland. He was from Derry and just heading up to the Bay of Islands before going to Thailand for 5 months. Nice guy.
The bus journey down here to Rotorua was just over 4 hours long. I was kept entertained by my ipod as the other (few) backpackers I spied didn't look quite in the mood for talking much.. but it gave me some time to recharge abit as all I've been doing is meet new people and although I'm in my element, it's nice to have afew hours to yourself.. even if that is on a public bus!!
So Rotorus doesn't smell as bad as everyone makes out! The odd waft of rotten eggs but it's ok. When I got to the hostel I had to shower and get ready for my Tamaki Maori cultural night which was starting an hour from when I got here.. te show was awesome, traditional greetings and dances. Got a video clip I'll have to upload. I meet a whole load of Irish girls there who're saying at Hot Rocks Hostel down the road so they were a laugh and also a french guy called Romain. Really nice people and the night was a total success apart from one thing.. they forgot I was vegetarian! So I didn't eat food out of a hangi so I was abit gutted about that but it can't be helped. I did get food though so that helped line my stomach for the couple of pints of local beer here - Tui.
I'm really enjoying myself, as I said before, I only wish my trip was longer.. but I'll make the most of this and then see where I am once I get back home. I feel like alot of doors have opened up to me now, opportunities for something different perhaps.
Comments
Good stuff!
You meet great people everywhere you go, keep it up. And let me know when you're in Canada.
Louise Brown
TravelPod Community Manager