possums are apparently different in new Zealand. they hide in the grass and run like cheetahs and act like they are going to attack you when you are taking a piss outside. thanks for the stage fright new zealand possums, i hate you.
Who Loves To Drive???
We do.
Today we drove from Taupo to the Taranaki peninsula. A very kind Kiwi who has surfed this island for 50-odd years suggested this route when we were in Hawkes’ Bay. Well, not quite this route, but a route close to the one we took, ostensibly.
Our GPS had a different route in mind than the one suggested. What was supposed to take 2.5 hours from our starting point this morning dragged on for 5 or 6 hours, due to some stops and detours along the way. We did get an unplanned tour of the Forgotten World Highway. The scenery is spectacular and there is not much traffic. When you throw in a tunnel, a few rock slides, gravel roads, sheep crossings , and too many one-lane bridges to count it makes for a full day’s drive.
But hey, we’re in New Zealand, so what is there to complain about? If we were only going to be here for a week, then I’d say we’d been skunked. But tonight, we’re within earshot of the beach and the surf has come up since dark. The main road near this town is the Surf Highway, with loads of breaks along the way. If the surf isn’t good out front, we’ll just have to drive until we find some swell.
Week One Down
So we are a week in. What’s happened:
We all arrived, safely.
Justin argued with the caravan owner/lessor. Justin won. We almost lost the van. But whatever. It’s ours now for the next seven weeks. The weather was hot. Then it was warm. Then it was see above. Then it was cold and windy. Then it was cold and rainy. Now it is cool and clear. And the stars are out.
We’ve spent a lot of time driving. Down the coast on a windy route that carried us past lots of hills, plenty of farms, a few waves, and a curve or two.
We got some waves. Good waves, and not crowded. That’s a pleasant change compared to the States. Usually in the states, if it is warm – air and water – and the waves are good then it is crowded. So far here, that is not the case.
We’ve also sampled a beer or two along the way. And wine. Some of us (yours truly) like the Sauvignon blanc, and claim it to be the wine of New Zealand. Some of us (Justin) don’t like the Sauvignon Blanc and also claim it to be the wine of New Zealand. Greg just likes the beer.
We have been camping in campgrounds and in free spots along the way. The free spots are the best so far. No comparison, on the views, and the vibes, much less mention the cost. But we do have to recharge this mother:
So we end up paying for a campground with wifi and power every couple of nights.
Bury The Fear Hatchet
I will confront my fear. I will face it head on. Or I will suffer the fate of a life lived by fear, a life of what ifs, couldas, wouldas and shouldas.
I will make peace with the fear that has stopped me short of glory. The one that says, “don’t do it, it’s dangerous”.
I will face fear head on, with genuine intention and pureness of human spirit, and charge into my world.
