From Kerikeri to Whananaki - Hard Walks, Highlights and Trail Angels

Currently, we are still in the Northland region of the island. Although it feels like we have already hiked half of the island, it only represents about 5% on the map. We have walked 215 km on foot, driven 80 km by car, and taken a ferry for about 5 km. In the next 3-4 days, we will conclude our trip in Northland with wonderful first impressions. Here's what happened next:

After a relaxing stopover in Kerikeri, we walked a quite relaxed forest trail to Pahia. 14 days ago, we arrived there by bus to start the trail. Being back here had a very reassuring feeling. Since we needed to organize a ferry crossing and met our French friends again, we stayed one day longer. The very relaxed lifestyle of the New Zealanders immediately captivates you, and you automatically slow down a bit too😁. However, I (Susi) still can't walk barefoot. Kiwis always walk barefoot, at most with thin "Jandals" (flip-flops). So now we need to organize the ferry and a ride along with accommodations with Sheryl. It's totally crazy how everything is organized. We call Sheryl, who works in Russell and lives in Waikare. Since she works until 7:30 pm and then takes us to her home, we have half a day after the ferry crossing to Russell. That would be great too because the place is historically and scenically very interesting, but - it's raining heavily☔. now we're used to this kind of disappointment, going to the museum, taking a walk on the beach, visiting a cafe, and finally going to a kind of pub where the Kiwis, along with their families, keep warm on a rainy Saturday playing billiards, darts, and rugby. And to top it off, the power goes out, so we don't leave the place with Sheryl until 8:15 pm. We drive about 10 km with her to her property where fox and hare say good night in Germany, possum and dog say good night in NZ. It's pitch dark, premiering setting up the tent in the dark. The surprise - Sheryl says "good news for you, I have a campervan!". Hooray, freezing and exhausted, we quickly jump into our sleeping bags and devour the rest of the salami with a few biscuits. And honestly, we still had half a bottle of wine. At daybreak, the farm looked very friendly again, the weather was great, and off we went to the next stages, here in fast forward:

Sunday, 19.11. - Waikare - Oakura (25 km)

Great hiking weather, 4 km river crossing always in the riverbed up to knee-deep, pleasant forest hike, in the end, another 6 km on the road (not so pleasant). Highlights: river crossing, instead of setting up the tent, we meet a woman who offers us a complete holiday home for free for one night (we take it and can hardly believe our luck because the day was exhausting). In the end, we even turned down a gifted lobster because I didn't know how to prepare it and it was still wriggling.

Monday, 20.11., Oakura - Moreport Track (18 km)

Well-rested, first stop at the picnic area by the sea, talk with a New Zealand couple (Diana and Mike) - they offer us to spend 2-3 nights in their holiday home on the Coromandel Peninsula - we wanted to go there anyway, somehow these coincidences are unbelievable - we will definitely call Diana! The hike starts off easy, becomes very demanding, and ends on beautiful grassy farmland with square-shaped sheep. We set up the tent on the side of the road, possum sneaks around the tent

Tuesday, 21.11., Moreport Track - Whananaki (14 km)

Whananaki is beautifully located by the sea, after a very steep and slippery hike, we decide to take another rest day, the end of the hike compensates with magnificent views of Sandy Bay and an idyllic campsite.

Wednesday, 22.11., Whananaki (Rest day)

We slept well, had a hearty breakfast, and took a walk to the beach. For women, collecting seashells is really fun here, unfortunately, I can't take them with me. Pure relaxation!!!!!

Conclusion of these days: We have learned that we shouldn't plan too much, thanks to the Kiwis, everything always turns out differently anyway. And if you make a schedule, you won't stick to it because you will be delayed several times by nice conversations, offers, and invitations along the way. Today, a nice fellow also told us that Germans always plan so much, so we also want to change that a bit and let the moment decide😙!

Relaxed greetings from Susi and Andreas