21.12.16 Whakatane, 25 degrees, sunny

After breakfast visit the Visitor Information, then cappuccino in a nice cafe. Strolling through the city, buying cotton t-shirts and slippers. 3 days before Christmas, people are also completely relaxed here, no stress or hustle and bustle to be seen. Everyone is very friendly and up for a chat. Christmas trees in some shop windows, 2 street musicians singing Christmas carols. We find a nice playground next to a freedom camping site. Malte takes a long afternoon nap, then a walk to the waterfall. Visited a pharmacy. The amazing thing is that when we return from the waterfall, it's after 5pm. The shops are closed, the sidewalks are empty. The town seems deserted. The locals are already with their families or hobbies. On the way back, shopping at New World, I discover fresh oysters, I take a dozen. That will be my dinner with a New Zealand Riesling, Imola and Malte don't like oysters. Dinner at the playground.