We set off early and drive to the next town, Thames. The library here is really cozy and bright, there's already a French couple working at the big worktables. We join them and edit the photos we took in the past few days, empty the memory cards, and make notes of what we've been doing lately. After a while, I go out to explore the town a bit. There are quite a few old buildings, which makes the town really worth seeing, especially in the sunshine and good weather. Of course, there are also a few second-hand shops on my way (don't think that I buy something in every shop I enter! But I just love the atmosphere. Everyone here works voluntarily and most of them are really lovely elderly ladies. Besides, I like to look at the treasures you can find here). This note is just to ease my guilty conscience because I actually buy something here. Everything costs only $2.50, which would be little in euros, but is only €1.50 when converted. So a blouse, a dress, and a few interior design magazines for 30 cents each have to come with us. We want to make the most of the good weather and drive to a national park, which is not far from here in the mountains. At an information center, we get information about the best 1 to 2-hour hike and drive a bit further through the beautiful valley. We cross several rivers and start our hike at a currently closed campground.
We follow the course of the river over several bridges and I, for my part, am quite glad that there are not so many steep ups and downs. Somehow I have to mentally classify myself more as a walker than a hiker. Then the first set of stairs, well, it will be over soon.. No, wrong thought: for the next half an hour, I drag myself up at least 500 steps and am impressed by my non-existent fitness. Once we reach the top, we rest on a bench with a great view.
But yes, of course, it was all worth it again, behind the next bend, a nearly 1000 year old Kauri tree awaits us, with a diameter that I have never seen on any other tree before. The giant tree stands almost alone between the mini-looking other trees and it is absolutely understandable why you had to clean and disinfect your shoes so intensively at the beginning of the trail when you see this unique sight.
The way back is relaxing as expected, and back in the camper van, we head to the next Pak'n Save to refill our drinking water (we buy drinking water because the water from the tap tastes so strongly of chlorine that neither tea nor coffee are enjoyable). Then we drive a bit further to the Coromandel Peninsula to a place by the sea. It's low tide and the afternoon sun has attracted many locals to the beach. Here, too, there are great barbecue areas and very impressive trees that give the place a magical feel. This feeling is intensified because a group of young people is listening intently to a Maori under the tree, who is saying things like "Be yourself, Love your decisions.." Very spiritual and all the listeners somehow look like it.
We cook ourselves dinner, watch the sunset, and the stairs take their toll, making us go to bed early.
