Kiwi Backpacker Experience

I didn’t sleep much last night, probably a little nervous about the idea of roughing it alone with a bunch of kids after six weeks of utter luxury, being totally looked after and not having to think! Dan and Sally kindly deposited me at The Urban Retreat where I was due to hop on the bus at 8.55am.

Along it came at the allotted time and Flea, the driver cheerfully welcomed me aboard. The bus was actually a very comfortable coach with aircon and dvd/cd. I chose to sit at the front mainly so that I could see well and take photos when necessary but also so that I could chat to the driver and find out more about this mad expedition I had joined.
The bus pass I’d purchased way back in July was a special offer which would take me round North and South Island. However, it usually starts at Auckland or Christchurch. As I was getting on in Taupo just one stop before Auckland, it meant that it was nearing the end and there would be a new batch of people leaving Auckland in the morning that I would probably get to know really well. Although a young German got on with me in Taupo and sat opposite so I was able to have a chat with him. He had also been staying with friends in Taupo and had done the big walk over the volcano.

The drive to up to smelly Rotoroa (sulpher – I’d been there the week before) was fairly uneventful apart from some initial banter from the driver about the World Cup and then some useful information about where we were going. She then put on a very amusing dvd called Outrageous Fortunes – a popular series in NZ, which I couldn’t see very well because the light from the huge windows was so bright but it was loud enough to hear dialogue regularly punctuated with the F word…. and quite a few other words besides as well as heavy breathing in bedroom scenes ….. it was still only 9 in the morning! – welcome to the world of the 18 plusses Mo!

No actually the kids on the bus were great, if a little hung-over from a fun night before.

We stopped at Hobbitan near Matamata for a spot of lunch. Apparently a farmer was asked if he would allow the film Lord of the Rings to be filmed on his land. He first turned this down but when he realised what it meant financially, he agreed. Unfortunately most of the set was taken down which is a shame because it could have produced a good income from tourists. All that remains is a statue of Gollum in the centre of town.

Most of the journey to Auckland was pretty uneventful, we were all tired and looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

We checked into The Base Backpackers accommodation at around 4pm. I had a wander round the city as it was warm and sunny, a good 6 degrees warmer than Taupo. I watched a mad couple being flung into the sky on a bungee and sat for a while in Albert Park.

St Patrick’s Cathedral was dwarfed against the skyscrapers but I took the opportunity of looking in before heading back with my snack and sorting out internet access.

The blogs could be minimalist from now on as I’m not sure when I’ll get on line…. watch this space!

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