Berta and Elise from Lakeland #3

In our third part we want to report about our free time and the so-called day-offs. These are free days that you get in consultation with the host.

1. Day off

Yayyy, after 1.5 days of work, we are already celebrating our first day off. On the eve, Mrs. F. suggested a hike followed by a ferry ride and a reunion in the evening, due to the good weather forecast. Full of anticipation and curious about numerous discoveries, we accepted the offer with a broad grin. The next morning, we started on time and after a 20-minute car ride, we were dropped off at the starting point of the route. It began at the Haruru Falls, our first waterfalls in New Zealand.

Afterwards, the short but extremely interesting Waitangi Track began. It meandered along the river directly to the coast. On these five kilometers, the vegetation seemed to change every 10 minutes. At first, we walked through a small piece of forest. We heard unknown and very peculiar sounds coming from the treetops. Tim thought at first that it must be several small monkeys. But this assumption was impossible, so we excitedly searched for the source. After a few minutes, it became clear to us - strange birds, of which there are apparently plenty in New Zealand. Characteristics of this species were a dark plumage that shimmered blue/green in the sunlight, as well as a small cute white pompom on the neck. Despite this striking appearance, the bird is primarily recognized by its singing. In a later conversation with the F. family, it turned out that the discovered birds were tui's. They have an extensive range of sounds and can even imitate tones. In our research, we even found out that the Maori (indigenous people of New Zealand) have taught the tui's human language. Other discoveries were a tree full of breeding birds, mangroves, and actually a real kiwi!!! But no, we have to disappoint you at this point, because the kiwi was a retired native volunteer. As we will find out later in our journey, Kiwi's are generally very open, extremely interested, curious, helpful, and very friendly. After a brief conversation, the kiwi said goodbye with a hug and a kiss on the cheek for Caro - her first kiwi kiss :)

At the end of the track, the coast awaited us and a view of the Bay of Islands. We enjoyed the first few meters on New Zealand sand and walked to the harbor in Paihia. From there, the ferry took us, for 15 NZ$/ approx. 9€, to the nearby peninsula to the town Russell and back.

Arriving in Russell, the weather was fantastic, a pre-summer day. We briefly explored the small tourist town with its cute houses & gardens in colonial style. Nevertheless, we had no interest in visiting a museum, instead, we had the plan to explore the small peninsula and looked for spectacular views and a beautiful beach. After 30 minutes, we reached the highest point of Russell, paused there for a moment and enjoyed the view of several small islands.

Afterwards, we made our way to a white beach that we also discovered from there. When we arrived, we decided to spend the remaining time until the return journey on the beach. The hours until early evening were sweetened by gentle waves, sunshine with a mild breeze, watching seabirds hunting for fish, and as the crowning glory, homemade raisin cake. We only dared to go into the water up to our hips, so we noticed that it wasn't really summer yet.

With the setting sun, we drove back to Paihia and met the F. family there for a drink at the jetty. We told them about our experiences, enjoyed a cool drink together, and got to know each other a bit better. Finally, there was a shared fish and chips picnic on the promenade.

2. Day off

Already on the first day, we noticed the beautiful view on the shore of the lake, and the two neighboring hills have a striking shape. Mr. F. informed us that this is a former volcano and there used to be a Maori settlement there.

The path to this little mountain led through the property or pasture of a neighbor. We agreed to do the short hike, after a telephone consultation, towards the end of our stay. On this tour, we passed a herd of small calves, to Caro's regret, they were very shy, but still cute *awh*. We also encountered rabbits, a cross-eyed cow, a pitch-black grasshopper, and a horde of wild turkeys *gylyluluulu*, however you want to describe these sounds ... there is a video.

Back on the property, we had the plan to use the house-owned kayaks and explore the lake with its numerous, large, black swans. However, they were extremely shy and the weather didn't cooperate either. Nevertheless, we ventured out onto the water, but the wind and rain quickly drained our energy, and we ended the kayak tour prematurely.

We sweetened our last evening with the F. family with German pancake and prepared ourselves more or less reluctantly for the farewell the next morning.