Tag 83: Rainbows keep falling on my (bold) head

20.09.2016

We have just driven a relatively long distance to Napier and yet, less than twenty-four hours later, we have to move on. And somehow, as we look at the map more closely, we realize that we have taken quite a detour. This is not only bitter due to the time and fuel wasted in Napier, but also because in New Zealand you have to pay an additional $6.6 for every 100km driven on the roads. We have already spent about 200 dollars as we have already covered over four thousand kilometers. With the routes in Australia, I (and Gudi a little last month) have already covered more than 8000 kilometers on foreign roads with left-hand drive. The closer I get to coming home, the more I fear the many crazy drivers who drive on the right side of the road in Austria. And the fact that my sister now has a driver's license, maybe I won't leave the house anymore.

After some time spent enjoying the best radio in the world - Radio Hawke's Bay - the breeeeezee - and singing loudly to a phenomenal mix of high school classics and 90s hits, we leave the green hills and arrive at Lake Taupo. Sadly, New Zealand's usual sight reveals itself again this afternoon: rain. In the past few days, it has rained more than during Britain's peak times, much to our annoyance. The sheep are happy, but they have a wool coat. However, even my facial hair can no longer save me. Since we are saving money and don't really want to spend any more on activities, but there is also hardly anything to do on New Zealand's North Island in the rain, we spend even more time in the library and the campervan. The usual routine of watching TV until the battery dies, followed by playing cards and working in a library to charge the battery, and then repeating the same pattern, is already very familiar to us.

We take a short break in the rain to visit a waterfall in a thermal park. It is, yes, we may be a little spoiled - just a waterfall. The only interesting thing is that the whole park smells as if someone has hidden rotten eggs in an ammonia-infested, uncleaned gas station toilet. This is not a walk in the park for my tough nose, but it is bearable. As a pleasant side note, we find that some of the smaller water ponds contain warm water. Gudi refuses to strip naked in the midst of several other hikers. I, on the other hand, quickly reveal my boxer shorts adorned with watermelons before Gudi can shout "eww, stop that". After a triple somersault with a twist, I find myself in sulfurous but warming mineral water.

The way back turns out to be a bit more unpleasant than expected, as underwear with watermelons apparently tends to absorb liquids. Despite this, Gudi recommends that I not rely on the free-style method, so I have to wade back to the camper with a wet pants.

Gudi's glorious laws:

...this time, a clarification:

The park was not just a thermal park, but a geothermal park, which is why we came here specifically. Upon visiting the park, the sun finally shone, allowing us to appreciate and enjoy the numerous springs (not water ponds) and the steaming ground. In addition, the waterfall was an impressive and remarkably unique spectacle of nature.

It's funny how different things can be perceived. Well, maybe next time I'll write about my breakfast, then I can get excited again.