Tag 76: Collecting Beheaded Dolls

13.09.2016

Before continuing our journey, we unanimously decide that we need to do laundry. Unanimously in this context means that Gudi's voice is enough to enforce it, although I'm not completely averse to the cleaning process. Remarkably accommodating is that Gudi is facing the seemingly hopeless battle with the unfriendliest toilet/laundress in all of New Zealand, as described in forums. Meanwhile, I'm busy laughing my head off when the idea comes to my mind to write a fake engagement announcement. Gudi does smile, but she forces me to warn all potential readers over eighty years old about a possible risk to their health.

Later on, we continue to Takaka to be almost at the northernmost point of the South Island. This place doesn't change the fact that hairpin bends bring potential for discussion in our relationship, although this time it's more about the safety distance than the speed in the curves. In principle, I don't want to go into detail, but I want to emphasize that we are crawling behind a truck at snail's pace, so we could only go slower if we were reversing.

Once in Takaka, we realize that desolation has a new name. Whoever thought Nelson was boring would now describe this place as lifeless. Apart from a few backwoodsmen and farmers, there is only a maze of rocks, which Gudi finds incredibly exciting because there are small toys hidden between the rocks everywhere. Obviously, the town's tactic is to sell itself as a kind of McDonald's Happy Meal, as it doesn't have much else to offer. So, to be honest, I have to end my descriptions of today's activities already. Just the information that we eat tacos for the fifth time and that my mustache slowly but surely looks rather Mexican seems worth mentioning. Oh yes, the village apparently lives 70% off the Happy Meal but definitely also earns income from the fact that Abel Tasman National Park is right next door. We see this allegedly most beautiful national park in New Zealand in its beginnings and in hindsight, I have to confirm that we are indeed passing by exceptionally beautiful beaches. Unfortunately, my internal memory is bursting with the beauty of the world after almost three months of travel through countless places that surpass each other in perfection. So, without Gudi's reminder, I would probably have forgotten about these beaches.

Moli's mighty admonitions:

"Gudi! They advertise this as a sight and otherwise they have nothing, except for please stop collecting all the toys, they are not yours."

Gudi has set her mind on taking the beheaded dolls and tailless dinosaur figures with us. With great difficulty, I manage to dissuade her from this crazy idea. Instead, I promise her that we will get a ball in the next supermarket - a fact that excites her so much that I am somewhat concerned about my girlfriend's intellectual underchallenge. Apparently, it is time to return to the seriousness of life.