We awaken at 6 o’clock. Unbeknownst to the schedules of Northland kiwis, we take our showers, baths (the tub is twice the size of the one at home!), and head out for dinner. Now 8 PM, stores are closing, and restaurants are shutting their doors. Street lights are sparse. The moon is nonexistent.
We might not be eating dinner.
Then we come across a kabob cafe at the corner of the village. The windows are cracked, and a man is shuffling inside. I ask him if he’s still open. He hesitates, and I know it’s a no-go. But he’s recognized my accent, the feral look on my face, and he invites us in. Score!
He’s a kind and chipper person, offering local advice as he whips sauce on our meat. We take it to-go and thank him. Back at our room, it’s a delicious meal. I’m convinced these Kiwis rock.
The next day, we head to a BBQ. It’s like a welcoming party – hosted by the time share – with free food (this shit is important) and lots of visitors traveling in retirement. We extend introductions.
John and I don’t fit in here.
While it doesn’t sound like the best way to kick off a vacation, everyone’s full of sunshine, and we learn quite a bit. With knowledge under our belts (or for the beltless, in our pants), now it’s scheduling time.
We book the penguin visit at the zoo, get our ducks for a boat tour, and shuffle through piles of pamphlets. We might’ve gotten a little carried away collecting these things. John waves one about Wairere Boulders. I really don’t want to see a bunch of New Zealand rocks, but I smile and we toss it in the “Maybe-We’ll-Do.”
He doesn’t really want to plan much. There’s a lot of Maybe-We’ll-Dos.
We decide to head out to Kerikeri, along the North Highway 1.
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There isn’t much north of Paihia. Beyond the village of Kerikeri, there’s Russell – the original New Zealand Capitol, with an old history of crime (real old, the issue’s gone now) - and Cape Reinga, at the tip of the island. Because of the lack of destinations, tourism isn’t common up here.
(At this point, I’m thinking, “Why the hell are we up here,” but the trip’s been awesome, and will continue being awesome, so it’s a passing thought.)
It’s a shame this place doesn’t get the hype it deserves, because Kerikeri really delivers. We visit a nationally recognized chocolate factory, and wood, shell, and stone crafts – all ripe with culture. John buys me an epic pair of Maori earrings. We collect way too many truffles for family, coworkers, and friends. I credit card $200NZ for a hand-carved scrapbook.
This trip is such a success! Auckland will be even better! Nothing can go wrong – huzzah, horrah, hurray!
Little do we know, come Auckland tomorrow, the first Can of Whoop Ass is about to explode.
