It is finally time for me to write something in our wonderfully maintained travel blog. Someone has to lower the standards again. :D But well, let's get to the important things ... how did our trip continue until today.
After Waiheke Island, the next day we went to Rangitoto Island with some people from our hostel. It's an extinct volcano where nature thrives. It was really impressive to see how the plants climbed the cooled volcanic rock and covered almost the entire area.
A few more days passed and suddenly we were proud owners of a 13-year-old Mitsubishi van (its name is Akramis Grandis, derived from the trusted car salesman Akram and the car's actual name), equipped with a comfortable bed and enough storage space for everything we own here. On the first night after the purchase, we already found out how easy it is to sleep in a car in New Zealand .. not! Because if you want to spend as little money as possible and can't afford expensive carparks every night, you have to sleep with a sense of unease and half in illegality on the side of a road, preferably near a toilet so you can at least brush your teeth and empty your bladder. Luckily, I had already downloaded the corresponding app to find public toilets in the hostel. We haven't used it yet, as we accidentally found a parking lot on the way to an overpriced carpak that also had a much-needed toilet nearby.
The day after (the night was well spent and you can actually sleep great in our car!), we set off for our first long-term accommodation and the first workaway experience. There were stops at Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve and Wenderholm Regional Park.
After all these experiences, I must say that it feels like an eternity to be here in New Zealand. The days go by so quickly because there is always something to do or see. Especially here at our new temporary home. Mowing the lawn is really fun on a property that covers several thousand square meters and is also situated on a slope. Fortunately, there is a self-propelled lawnmower here that has always helped me out when working. The large garden (even with banana trees) still provides enough things to occupy us for our daily 4 hours.
The first signs of homesickness have already made themselves felt, strangely enough always particularly strong when we took a walk on the small but nice beach just around the corner from our accommodation. Apparently, the waves and their rustling make us sink into our thoughts.
Nevertheless, we wouldn't want to undo all of this anymore.
-Tom
