I havn't posted in here for awhile but I've been a busy boy. Had a famil up to the bay of islands for free on behalf of Nomads hostels and Magic Bus NZ. Another 2 trips over to waiheke, one with 2 of the lads that I was with in the bay of islands and another with Troys sister Sian. We're getting to the end of summer so I'm trying to make the most of it now. What else, erm? I know run to mission bay every week which is about 10km to keep some sort of fitness. I've moved back into Nomads and probaly will be there for awhile as in May, a very good friend of mine back home, Helen, is thinking of coming out in May and Eddie's back in April so i'm going to wait until he's back to get a place and then hopefully Helen will move in and we can save up and go travelling round NZ together before the world cup, then its time for me to go home! Well I thought I might aswell just copy and paste the blog I left on Nomads website which was part of the deal for me to get it all for free, so here it is below. (if you want to see it with pictures and in all it's glory it's here (http://nomadshostels.com/backpackers-blog/naked-stes-naked-paihia-adventure/)
Now, Travelling can be very expensive at the best of times but there’s no reason why it should be. New Zealand is one of those places in the world where costs can mount, I know first hand from my bus tour around both Islands… I recall almost crawling back to Auckland on my hands and knees begging for a job at Nomads Auckland backpackers Hostel before I joined the Camel bar team at Nomads Fat Camel backpackers hostel and became Naked Ste.
With not much money to spare, but needing a well earned short holiday I jumped on a bus with Magic up to Paihia bright and early Monday morning at 7.35am. Our driver was Disco who hails from Wanaka in the South Island and despite Aucklands notoriously bad drivers, he safely got us across the harbour bridge and on our way to the Bay of Islands.
We weren’t blessed with great weather and this was pointed out to us when we had our first toilet and food stop just outside Warkworth at The Dome Cafe… mean as sandwiches by the way. This was a good time to get to know everyone from the bus and their travelling stories, there were travellers from all over the globe and most of them who’re just starting their travels. Paihia is definitely a good place to head to at the start and the Magic passes (Northland escape with Auckland to Paihia and back or Total Northland which also includes the Cape Reinga trip) are perfect.
booked into The Bay Adventurer backpackers hostel and managed to convince my fellow bus mates to do the same as well. It’s cheap ($25 for a 4 bed dorm) and almost like your living in a hotel so I can’t really big it up anymore except your missing out if you stay anywhere else! We arrived at mid day and spent our afternoon going the supermarket to stock up on our feed for the next 3 days. I don’t need to tell you backpackers how to live on a budget but pre-cooked sausages and 2 minute noodles are the way forward for sure. After lunch it was time to head on down to the beach to soak up the best weather New Zealand has to offer and do what I do best… watch the pretty girls walk by and instantly fall in love with them.
Whilst most people jumped on a boat and headed out into the bay to do some dolphin watching, me and the 2 guys in my room walked up to where The Treaty Grounds of Waitangi was formed. The treaty grounds are a must see and even if all the cultural heritage stuff doesn’t do it for you there are still some great views back to Paihia and along the bay to admire. I blagged that I was a NZ resident and therefore got in squat free but if your not as lucky as me then saying your on the coastal walk is another way in or failing that, just jumping through the exit is another.
You can spend a good few hours wandering around the treaty grounds taking in the war canoes, James Busby’s house (the guy who drew up the treaty) and the Waitangi maori meeting house. That night we put on our glad rags and went out for a couple of drinks, not many though as everywhere closes after 1am which keeps Paihia chilled out. I have to say… The Salty Bar did have karaoke on and Aerosmith was blasted out followed closely by Wet Wet Wet. $5 drinks can keep you going on a budget and everyone loves a bit of karaoke.
I got up early on the Wednesday and hired out a kayak for 6 hours costing me a tiny $40 for a tan and the freedom to get out in the bay and chill out on beaches you wouldnt usually get to visit, Motuarahi and Motu Maire are the easiest and closest to get to. There is also a cool as little forest up the river where its submerged in water, quite sureal meandering around tree tops and a top visit despite having to battle with the current and squeezing past a bridge. Shortly after dropping the kayaks off we watched down the front to grab some freshed caught fish and chips from Vinnies Takeaway. A good feed for 2 is 2 sausages, 2 fish, 1 fries and 2 drinks for $15, bargain! That night we stayed in town and popped along to Franks Cafe for a live set by a local musician and not the cheapest drinks in town but some kick ass pizza to munch on.
Unfortunately Thursday we were up bright and early to head back to Auckland via some photo spots on the west coast. Rawene was a quick toilet stop, as was Opononui and Omapere. Tane Mahutu deep in the wilderness was the next stop, the 2nd biggest tree in the world and deeply rooted (excuse the pun) in Moari heritage. We eventually got back to Auckland mid afternoon as so my holiday was brought to an end.
A good cheap trip and there is definitely more cheap things to do in the Bay of Islands. Jumping on a ferry over to Russell is a good shout or enjoying one of Paihia and Waitangis breath taking walks up to lookout points or the waterfalls.
The trip wasn’t all fun and games though, on our second day a tragic event in New Zealands history occurred. A catostrophic 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the city of Christchurch and the county of Canterbury. As I am writing this, the death toll is still on the rise and at the moment stands at 115 with hundreds of people still missing. I have friends who were in Christchurch on this day and many who I knew were travelling the South Island on that day. Luckily, all were left unscathed but without accomodation and forced to rough it out in a park for a few nights. A big mention goes out to the families and friends of people who have lost loved ones, aswell as the citizens of Christchurch who have been affected by what prime minister John Key calls “New Zealand’s darkest day”.
Kia Kaha Christchurch.
