Yiiiha, Piha!

We did it! We bought a car. From some Malaysian at some car fair in Auckland, crazy!

Actually, we didn't plan on buying a car when we went to the weekly car fair at the University of Auckland last Saturday, but things turned out differently. Arriving at the 'car fair', which was more of a gravel field with around 20 cars than a car fair, we were initially disappointed by the prices being asked for these cool classic campervans: $4,900, $5,500, $5,200... and so on.

But then Tony showed up with his car. Tony, a Malaysian, had been driving his old Honda Odyssey for 9 months while traveling and now he unfortunately had to go back home. His departure was scheduled for Tuesday, maybe a small advantage for us in the negotiations..?

Visually everything was fine (scratches and small dents only add to the car's story!), we pretended to be experts and made Tony start the engine while we looked thoughtfully into the engine compartment and wondered where the refrigerator and bathroom were supposed to be...However, I think the deception was successful, because Tony told us more details about the car and was eager to show us everything to convince us to buy. The equipment is impressive: camping gear, mattress, blankets, pillows, everything included! And the price? $3,500...hmh, a lot of money for a car whose life expectancy is uncertain.

To better assess the car, we asked for a test drive. Tony agreed immediately (a good sign)! It was supposed to be a small round trip, just around the block. Tony said he had GPS and knew the way...2 minutes later, we got lost and the small round trip turned into a 20-minute trip through Auckland's city center. With left-hand traffic! Oh dear...

Arriving safely, we are really impressed with the car, it is relatively new as a 2000 model...We decide to go for it! However, all attempts to lower the price fail ('Can't do that, I got a better offer than that...'). We pretend to make a call to our parents at home to demonstrate our inner struggle and maybe get a discount out of our predicament. In vain.

In the end, we agree to the price of $3,500, but we do manage to get Tony to extend the car's registration until June at his own expense. Ha, bargaining beasts that we are!

That's it - the purchase is sealed with a handshake. Our gut feeling is good for both of us and we are proud to have found a car so quickly. And $3,500...divided by 2...converted into euros...well, that's almost reasonable!

The first trip with the new automotive takes us directly to a worthy destination (the main reason for this article): Piha Beach! Only 40 km from Auckland, this beach with its huge rocks and black sand is the ideal destination for a small trip. We were already impressed by Waiheke Island, but here we are overwhelmed! Everything is so huge and above all: deserted!

We get lost in wonder and take photos, and we don't start the return journey until after sunset. Since this place cannot be described well with words, here are two more photos. Unbelievable! What a first trip with our own car...

PS: Today (one week after buying the car) we stopped at a small, very primitive campground in the middle of nowhere at the Ngawha Springs and met two girls from Germany (where else, there are only Germans everywhere) who have just graduated. As it goes, we started talking (where are you from, what have you been doing, future plans...) and eventually got to the topic of cars! The two of them also drive a Honda Odyssey (though without a sunroof, ha!) and as we chat about it, it slowly becomes clear that their current Honda is not the only one they looked at...No, there was another one, a white Odyssey...from an Asian guy..Taiwanese? No... Malaysian? Yes!...With a quiet girlfriend who never said anything...named Tony!! Unbelievable! :D They simply looked at our car exactly one week ago but didn't buy it because they thought it was too small to sleep in (they now have the same model, and they can't explain how that happened :D). In the middle of New Zealand, at a remote campground with only one other camper, you meet someone who was on the verge of buying your car and knows the seller (already friends on Facebook and all that)!

What a coincidence!

However, the two girls now regret their decision against our car because they found out in a Facebook group that their seller is apparently a known fraudster. And indeed: after 300 km, they had a flat tire and something is wrong with the engine - unsure how long the car will last. It sucks that there are people who exploit trusting backpackers with not much money...

Well, the tire has already been replaced today and the rest will be thoroughly checked by a mechanic on Monday. We wish you both the best of luck! Although the two of them take the whole thing with a lot of humor and are surprisingly cheerful...respect!

For us, it's now time to head north, to Cape Reinga (the almost northernmost point of New Zealand). :)

Updates on the previous days (glow worm caves, Whangerei Falls, etc.) will follow when there is available Wi-Fi.

Cheers!