July 8th
Trip Start
Jun 27, 2008
1
12
33
Trip End
Aug 30, 2008
Kaitaia,
North Island,
New Zealand
Friday, July 18, 2008
Today we packed up again. We are going farther north before heading down the Rotorua. The scenery here is marvelous, the grass is green as far as the eye can see and there are mountains and forests along the sides of the roads we travel. The roads themselves are well kept, I think it's mostly due to their calm climate. They don't get snow and the temperature doesn't change much over the year. The roads are very windy, twisting and turning as if we're in a mountain while farm valleys spread out around us. We reached the small town a kerikeri and decided to go see the stone store. I thought it would be a store that sold stones, stone carvings or stone spoons or something of the like. Instead I learned that it's an old stone house that was one of the first to be built in the town in New Zealand, a house the early settlers used as a store on the bottom level and a house up top.
There was also another house next to the stone store that's the oldest house in New Zealand. It's made out of the Kaori tree and has two floors. One for the living quarters, living room, dining room and kitchen and one for the bedrooms; one master, two for the children and a little room the size of a broom closet used by the father as a study. We got to visit theres places for a five dollar fee. The grounds of the property were stunning. There's a stream that flows along side the house and in front of the stone store that is home to wild geese and numerous small boats. The trees look like their would be easy to climb and a good work out and the lawn is long and wide, perfect for running as long as you would like.
After viewing these ancient homes we went across the street to have tee at a little restaurant by the side of the road. Then we went up the hill to see the little church that was established to convert the Indians. It's an adorable little church and I'm just sorry that I couldn't capture it's elegance for you to see.
We set off again and passed yet more cow farms, sheep farms, farms with horses and farms with turkeys. We stopped for lunch near a beach and walked along its shores to get some circulation flowing though our legs. I went out and splashed in the waves, the water was cold as was the beach, but I had fun. Then I went along the shore looking for sea shells. There was a place near the end of the beach that had large black stones. In between the stones there were shells that had nor yet been broken. I felt sad walking up though this part of the beach for each step broke numerous shells and there's nothing you can do about it. You had to pass through to get to the bathroom.
After we left the beach we reached Kaitaia and found our Hostel. It's a big place with nice rooms. The washrooms and showers are located outside your room so whenever you near to use such facilities you needed to go outside. It wasn't so back during the day but at night it can get pretty cold. The kitchen/dining/ lounge area is very big and the kitchen is equipped with everything from woks to whisks and ovens to cups and knives and forks. The place was well equipped for the summer season and ready to house at least 60 people.
The room we had was very spacious and had three beds, one bunk bed and one single bed. There were also two lounge chairs and a bedside table.
I hope you all are getting lots of sleep!
hugZ
sabine Ng
