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Mike and Alison + Northland
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Alia's best friend from when she was a kid, Rachel, came in yesterday with her boyfriend, Simon aka Dave Spoon. They were in Auckland as part of a music tour of Australia and New Zealand that Simon was playing at. It turns out he's a really well known and talented DJ and does this type of thing all over Europe. After meeting Mike and Alison for dinner and drinks we all headed over to the local arena to meet up with Rachel and watch her boyfriend play. The scene outside was a little bit um...different? Shocking? Not sure how to explain it. There were some girls who obviously wanted to come to this rave but I guess with the money they paid for their ticket they couldn't afford entire outfits. It seems that they could only get skirts that were 3 inches long and their bums were hanging out in the wind. Many could also only afford to wear bikini tops or other assorted lingerie to cover themselves up. Anyway, Rachel arranged for us to get backstage passes and, happily for Mike and I, also free access to the bar. We watched and listened to Simon finish his set and then met him for a couple of drinks. Very nice guy, and was very patient with my obvious ignorance of his craft.
Today we met Alison and Mike to go up north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands in their rental car. Paihia is a nice resort town right on the water with lots of little shops and restaurants overlooking the bay. We had lunch and walked around for a while and saw Haruru Falls. From there and we started to head back to Auckland and then the real fun started. First, let me just say the roads between the Bay of Islands and Auckland are varied to say the least. Some are dirt roads, some are paved but all (except for the main highway) are the most winding, up, down, sharp left, quick right, etc roads I've ever seen. They go up and over mountains, many times down to one lane TOTAL, over one lane bridges, etc. Oh, and the posted speed limit is often 100kph. No shit, we have pics of a 180 degree turn downhill with the 100 sign posted right next to it. Crazy. And they make you want to vomit. Good times.
The first stop we wanted to make was at Pakiri beach. It should be easy enough to find as we had maps and we were following the signs. Apprently though all roads mystically appear to lead to Mangawhai and the Smashed Pipi bar. After we asked the smashed patrons of the Smashed Pipi bar how to get there we were back on our way. We finally rolled into Pakiri beach around six, just in time to catch a few pics of a gorgeous 10km beach bordered by 200ft cliffs.
Our second stop was Goat Island, just a few kms down the winding roads again. It was here that we met Stacy and Duncan, two local kids (NOT related, as Stacy very clearly pointed out) who were desperate to introduce us to their pet eels. They posed for a pic for us and Stacy flashed the peace sign. I think she's about 11 yrs old.
After we left Goat Island we tried to find our way back to the highway to get home. Not so easy. As Alison will swear until her dying day, there are no signs at the f***ing roundabouts pointing out where we're going like there should be. Anyway, we started up and over this rather large mountain, uncertain if we were going in the right direction but figured we would be able to find our way back to the highway. Once we got over the mountain and realised that we were back on the road to Mangawhai we stopped a soccer Mom (or maybe she was a rugby Mom?) with four kids in her station wagon, one of whom was wearing a skeleton outfit. She very nicely told us that we had to go back up and over the mountain but that we could follow her over. Well, it turns out Mike drives like a little girl on a tricycle and he could barely keep up with the soccer Mom. We finally made it back on the right road home to Auckland around 9pm, just in time for our first kebabs in NZ but nothing else. Apparently the city shuts down at 9 here, much to our disappointment. Good kebabs, good times with Alison and Mike.
A few things: (sorry if you don't get all the references):
PENIS PENIS PENIS, VIRGINA, VIRGINA, VIRGINA
There might be as many cows as sheep in this country
Soccer Moms in NZ should probably have their own race circuit
Guard rails on the windiest roads are made of 2X4s and chicken wire
Simpsons quotes are funny only to guys, but damn are they funny. And relevant. To every situation. Ever.
Me: I once met a guy who drove a red car just like the Corolla that you guys rented. He had a funny name. I can't think of it right now...
Alison: That's it?
Me: Yup.
Alison: Good story, Tim.
(For Alison)
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