Whakatane - Gateway to White Island

Because I was too lazy to apply sunscreen today, I hesitated to stay out of the house for too long. In the end, it turned out to be a very relaxed start to the day and then I packed my things again.

Sigh.

Somehow it's always increasing. And slowly some nights on my backpack are giving up and a new hole has also become noticeable. Maybe I'll treat myself to a new, bigger backpack after all...
After that, I took a little walk: my first destination was the Art Gallery (across from the apartment, not much walking), but they only had five weird exhibitions of modern art. Call me uncultured, but I can't do anything with that. And then the lady at the entrance asked me to fill out a questionnaire. What am I supposed to write in there?
'What did you like best?' - 'The exit.'
After that, I visited a park with a rose garden and greenhouse. Quite nice, but not too spectacular (that's why no photos either).

In the afternoon, my host picked me up to go to Whakatane. He was already on his way from Auckland and Tauranga is practically on the way.
During the car ride, we were able to do the usual getting-to-know-you conversation, the typical questions.
The closer we got to Whakatane, the more beach and cliffs came into view on the left and right side of the road.

Whakatane itself is just a small town, there is again a main street with all the important shops ('The Strand' - very creative).
Being German, I have already done extensive research and was ready to complete all the hiking trails in and around Whakatane.
But not today.
Today I moved into the apartment (I have my own room and - hold on to your hats - my own bathroom!) and then I walked around the town.
The waterfront is quite nice for a walk and on the way there were these cute bronze Kiwi figures. Of course, I had to take pictures of them.
In the end, Whakatane Heads had a nice view of Whale Island and in the distance you could already see White Island.

Please cross your fingers tightly for Wednesday - the weather is supposed to be really bad. It's quite cloudy here right now and in the evening it got quite cool already.
It's best to rain at night, because tomorrow I have a long hiking tour ahead of me.
All the hiking tracks together form a loop that makes for a good day hike. I'm looking forward to it!
So tomorrow there will probably be more nature pictures again. :)