Pit Stop

Our time in New Zealand is passing quickly...

From Auckland we headed up to the Bay of Islands. We just had to make a stop in Kawakawa after reading in our guide book that Austrian artist and architect Frederick Hundertwasser designed the public toilets there. Omi and Opi were the ones who first introduced me to Hundertwasser's buildings in Vienna, and Michael got to see them too in 2000 when we were there. It was a great and unusual surpise to find toilets built in his typical colorful, curvy, fun style in a tiny little town in New Zealand. (We'll post some pictures eventually, but here's a website I found).

We stayed for 3 nights at the Hone Heke Lodge in Kerikeri, where we really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. We went on several nice walks to waterfalls in the area, and got to see the Kerikeri mission station and stone store (the two oldest standing buildings in New Zealand) and tour the grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. The treaty is basically New Zealand's founding document, and it's interesting to read about the major differences between the English and Maori versions. We also made it all the way up to Cape Reinga and enjoyed a beautiful sunset by the lighthouse all to ourselves.

Then we headed back down through Auckland and over to the Coromandel Peninsula. We stayed near Thames with Servas hosts Roger and Maureen who coincidently also lived in the old post office (just like Ian and Kate). From them we learned a little more about dowsing, country music and postmaster spirits. Even though it was raining for much of the day, our drive around the peninsula was beautiful, and the rain stopped just long enough for us to spot a rainbow and explore Hot Water Beach (the hot water bubbles up from under the sand during low tide).

The following day it was on to Papamoa Beach (near Tauranga) to visit Myrna. We planned on staying only 2 or 3 nights, but we've been having so much fun that we're just leaving today. The other night we got to watch the New Zealand All Blacks beat the South African Springboks in Rugby (I'm sure Tilde and Chris were watching that one too!), and yesterday Matt (Myrna's grandson) took us to see the Tauranga Steamers play nearby. After some patient tutelage I think we're finally understanding the game and rules. It's lots of fun to watch, and we find it more exciting and hardcore than American football.

We've only got about a week left in NZ before we fly to Hawaii. Today we're headed down to Lake Taupo, then the plan is to head to the wine country of Hawkes Bay, down to Wellington and then back up to Auckland through New Plymouth.