Piha Beach - The Photo Marathon

Wednesday. Last day in the hostel world. It was supposed to be the last day with a hot shower and a proper bed - because the next day the backpacking would really begin.

Before we could live out our newfound freedom, which we had gained through the car, we still had an appointment with both Kiwi Bank (no, not a fruit trade). Since we had quickly and conveniently opened our account there, unlike in Germany, it only took a short trip back to the hostel to pack our backpack and scout out a first destination for a car ride. Done and done: Piha Beach is about 40 minutes away from Auckland and sounded pretty cool from the description. We didn't yet suspect how cool it would actually be.

I was driving. Left-hand traffic in the busy city center and I aren't going to be friends for a while, we narrowly avoid crashing into the cars parked on the side of the road too often, according to Thimo at least. For me, it's a matter of fine judgment and millimeter work. After all, I've been driving without accidents for 6 years. 😌☝🏼️

The route outside the city is easy, long straight roads lead us through densely wooded forests - they almost look tropical. Lots of palms, ferns, and other similar stuff. One thing that really sucks: apparently, the fuse of the car radio and the cigarette lighter is broken.. That means either music from the phone (which unfortunately drains a lot of battery next to the GPS - without which we would be hopelessly lost on the way!) or singing ourselves.

No question, phone music it is. Otherwise, the drive wouldn't last very long..

One thing that's also noticeable is that the fuel gauge seems to be a bit drunk. Sometimes it falls more to the left and shows an empty tank. Sometimes it rises and is half full. The thing is a bit moody. But that's due to the steep inclines in the terrain, as we later find out. So everything's fine!

We arrive. Viewpoint.

In front of us is a first view of Piha Beach with its distinctive rocks in the water. AWESOME! We leave the car there (and hope that we are allowed to do so, kindly leaving a nice note with our phone number.. just to be safe) and walk down the first trail that leads into nowhere. Because it zigzags every few meters in a different direction over stones and dirt roads. There's nothing to see of the beach. In such situations, we always ask ourselves the same question: why the hell don't we ever put on our damn hiking boots when we go somewhere?! 🤔🙄

Then! Sand! That looks like a beach. That sounds like the sea - could work. Just around the corner. Tadaaaaa.

'The Gap' for all of us who don't speak English. 😏 Here, the sea flows between the steep rocks into the bay. We spend 20 minutes there alone taking photos. If we had known what awaited us 5 minutes up the hill, we would have certainly walked faster. Let's just say this: I have to be careful not to throw out too many big superlatives in the first few days just because I'm impressed. Because there are still really amazing things to come (especially in a few months on the South Island). But this here and today, dear people, was already outstanding! But pictures speak louder than words:

Picturesque. Somehow too cool to be true that we are actually here now. We take endless photos. Occasionally a few people also welcome the sunset here. Otherwise, no one as far as the eye can see.

Surfers slowly return from the water to the beach. One walks directly into my shot from the left. WHAT. A. PICTURE.

I'd love to run after the guy with the board under his arm and thank him. Thimo also freaks out when he sees my picture on the camera with his trained photographer's eye. I'm a bit proud. I'll frame it. Boldly above the TV in my apartment. I can't upload it here because it's on the camera. Sorry. 🤗

When it gets pitch dark and only the moon and stars are visible, there's not much more to see. It gets freezing cold. Back to the hostel.

When we arrive, we 'cook' noodles with sauce from the jar and tuna here for the last time. Delicious. A little parsley from the cabinet on top - perfecto. Everyone else is chopping and frying.. We make our lives easier. Simply because we're hungry as hell and don't feel like standing in the kitchen for a long time. Last night in civilization.

From tomorrow on, we're on our own.