The last day in Auckland

Let me tell you a little story:

Tane-mahuta, god of the forest, saw one day that his children, the trees, were being eaten and getting sick by beetles. So he called the birds of the air to him and asked them for help. But the tui was afraid of the darkness, the pukeko found the ground too hard, and the cuckoo was busy building its nest. Only the kiwi agreed.

Tane-mahuta was pleased, but had to warn him: the kiwi would grow strong legs, lose its colorful feathers and wings, and never see daylight again. But the kiwi still agreed.

And because of this sacrifice, the kiwi is the most beloved bird of all.

Sweet, isn't it.

I saw this (abbreviated) legend today at the War Memorial Museum. The museum offers insights into Maori culture and history, flora and fauna of New Zealand, and how the country was involved in the two World Wars on three floors.

I spent almost three hours at the museum, there was so much to see. I was particularly interested in the insights into nature, I didn't know that moas can grow up to three meters tall! And the frogs in New Zealand go through the tadpole stage still inside the egg. And there are three species of kiwis, with the brown one being the most common.

In addition, the museum serves as a war memorial (otherwise it would just be called a museum...) and a whole long hallway was dedicated to the victims of the three major wars for New Zealand. Out of respect, I didn't take a photo, because I was really moved as I walked along the hallway.

One exhibition was dedicated to the situation of women in New Zealand. New Zealand was the first country to allow women to vote (exactly 125 years ago). Nevertheless, there are still inequalities, and the exhibition illustrated this very vividly.

The museum is actually one of the few worthwhile things in Auckland, especially as it is set in a huge park. The walk was so beautiful, there were exotic plants and birds to see. I was satisfied.

And then I was back at the hostel...

I think now is the time to reveal my plans.

Now that I think about it, maybe I shouldn't have made such a big secret about my upcoming plans, because they're not that impressive. Oh well.

First of all: I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I won't be buying a car. Not only would the purchase swallow up almost all of my money (from $5000 onwards), the running costs are also not cheap, and I have found a good alternative for myself: the Stray Bus.

The Stray Bus has routes across both islands and sometimes goes off the beaten tracks. The big advantage of the company is that you can literally get off and back on in the middle of nowhere. You just tell the bus driver that you want to get off right here and indicate that you want to get back on when booking. This also makes it easy to get to work. In addition, the bus driver gives insider tips, like a free travel guide. The ticket is valid for 12 months.

How much did this fun cost me? About $1200, which is about €700. So I won't get to the remote peaks and bays of New Zealand, but I only have 10 months and I like that I now have a kind of predetermined route.

My first destination is further north, into the Northland of New Zealand. I will work in a hostel in Paihia in exchange for free accommodation. It's not ideal because I still have ongoing food costs. But in the Bay of Islands, I will see the Hole in the Rock and hopefully some dolphins (for $100...).

After that, I'll go with Stray up to Cape Reinga and back (that's already a ready-made day tour), and then I found some nice farms on the way back TO Auckland. And by then, I will definitely need money, but the new kiwi season starts in October and I plan to save money for at least a month on a plantation. We'll see.

I have now survived in New Zealand for almost a week, and before I continue my journey, I think it's time for a little interim assessment:

Backpacking life is really not as glamorous as some (me) imagined it to be. I wear the same clothes for a week because I'm too lazy to completely unpack my backpack (don't worry, underwear is changed...). I sleep in an 8-bed room, which has the advantage of quickly getting to know people, but the disadvantage of sleeping with eight other people in one room. Snoring is the least of my problems, because not everyone values hygiene and privacy.

Yes, you get to know people very quickly, but they are more or less fleeting acquaintances. I have four or five closer acquaintances with whom it's really fun to spend the day, but I wouldn't consider them friends yet. And it's hard to find someone who is heading in the same direction (now I understand why no one wants to go to the Northland...).

The hostel is, sorry, run down. The rooms are not clean, I try not to think too much about the washrooms - although there is hot water at least sometimes... - breakfast doesn't exist, and the kitchen is unhygienic. I've already held various doorknobs in my hand, and the elevator ride is a fun guessing game (there are no stairs). And it's not even cheap. In the future, I will mainly stay in working hostels or YHA hostels because I have a membership there (another $25...).

The money situation is also tricky. I still have reserves, but they should actually stay reserves. And in the next few weeks, I probably won't have any income. That means: saving. No breakfast, lunch, and for dinner I've been having rice with beans the whole time (only 80 cents a can!). I actually treated myself to some tea, but that will go away. Apples are my guilty pleasure, I allow myself those. Today I will probably also get some toast bread, it's only $1 on sale. That was a big success for me! Yes, I have sunk low...

This absolute frugality is somehow funny, but definitely not healthy in the long run. I have to see how things will go in the future. I have high hopes for WWOOF Ing. Maybe I'll get some proper food there?

Lastly: Auckland. I have never experienced a city like this. It's not directly ugly, but it has nothing to offer and drains you. Any positive energy. I have met people who spent the whole day in bed and only crawled out of their holes in the evening to get drunk. Creepy.

I'm very glad to finally get away and will only return for the return flight. The day tours have given me a glimpse of what awaits me out there, and that's exactly what I want to experience.

But in 14 hours, my bus will take me away and I'm already so excited! I have such big plans... Ah. I'm so looking forward to it :)

Today there's another bingo evening at the hostel. Let's see how it goes. One roommate told me about the last one and it sounded interesting. In the end, the guy ended up standing there in just a t-shirt.

I'll report and keep you updated! Hopefully, in the next hostel, I'll have WiFi not just in the lobby