So we spent out last weekend in Taranaki this past weekend. Well last for the time being, who knows if we come back or not!
We did end up meeting up with the couchsurfers who had sent a request. It turns out that they hitchhiked into town and the driver offered them his apartment for the night. He was staying with his girlfriend so he let them stay at his place! But the next day I drove them up to Mt. Taranaki so they could do an overnight hike. They came back to our place on Saturday afternoon so we had dinner and then took them down to a nice beach for sunset and a walk. It was nice to have other company and since they had lived in Vancouver for a little while there was more familiar things we had in common too. They are here for a few months yet so we might try to catch up on the South Island so that Dustin can maybe overnight hike with them. I might just babysit the extra bags somewhere nearby haha.
I worked Saturday and Sunday but had a helped on Saturday so that was great! I guess they still don't exactly have someone to replace me so one of the night shift people was trying it out. Not sure if I sold her on it - she feels the same way about how that place is run, which is not too well. So Dustin and I both finish work on Wednesday and then have Thursday off to get ourselves sorted before driving out on Friday.
We ended up changing our first stop plans. At first we had requested a shorter stay but they asked if we could come early so we worked that out. Then she emailed and said we could go back to the original dates because they have other people staying and then it sounded like they might not have room for us because a big group had booked the farm stay and all this just sounded like it was not simple so we cancelled. We found another host and we'll go there on Sunday after a couple nights of camping. She lives alone it sounds like and it's not an accommodation as well so should be quieter and simpler. I definitely will need some good nights of sleep because the guy upstairs was up late and loud on the weekend. Will be so nice to be out of this flat soon...
We have a new member of our family because Dustin bought a surfboard yesterday. He found it online and it's used but it was $250 with a leash and it's the shape and in the size range he was looking for. It's been interesting to compare the board prices here with home, some in shops here that are $1000 are maybe $500 in Oregon. So it was looking like a new one here wouldn't be the best option. We had already bought a bigger travel surf bag from the thrift store because it would be good to double as a roof rack for us while we're moving around. I'm sure there will still be extra room even with two boards in it though. So that's all good!
Dustin went golfing again on the weekend. He figured he had the clubs and the balls so why not another round. It's like $8 to play nine holes here. He met up with a buddy from work and it sounds like they had a nice time. We kept just a few clubs and some balls to drive into the ocean or something maybe. Or maybe a driving range evening sometime - no driving range in New Plymouth though.
It's really interesting to see how other people travel compared to us. We know that what we do suits us so it really makes you think about how else it might work for us. However, I don't think we'd have the energy to hitch hike all over and then try to be couchsurfing and wwoofing at most stops - it feels like you just have to be on all the time because you're always someone's guest in a way. But hey if you can handle that, why not! We do like to have the options that buying the car provided. Especially to be able to check out surf spots because they are not often easy to get to. Hosting the couple of couchsurfers did rejuvenate my love for the idea of it though! So I sent out a few requests for Wellington when we're there. It's just so neat to meet new people and when I think of our stays in Australia, they really are highlights and we're in touch still with many people we met. One of them had an article written about her in the paper with regards to couch surfing so she sent us the link.
Well I think I am going to go have some lunch so off I go.
We did end up meeting up with the couchsurfers who had sent a request. It turns out that they hitchhiked into town and the driver offered them his apartment for the night. He was staying with his girlfriend so he let them stay at his place! But the next day I drove them up to Mt. Taranaki so they could do an overnight hike. They came back to our place on Saturday afternoon so we had dinner and then took them down to a nice beach for sunset and a walk. It was nice to have other company and since they had lived in Vancouver for a little while there was more familiar things we had in common too. They are here for a few months yet so we might try to catch up on the South Island so that Dustin can maybe overnight hike with them. I might just babysit the extra bags somewhere nearby haha.
I worked Saturday and Sunday but had a helped on Saturday so that was great! I guess they still don't exactly have someone to replace me so one of the night shift people was trying it out. Not sure if I sold her on it - she feels the same way about how that place is run, which is not too well. So Dustin and I both finish work on Wednesday and then have Thursday off to get ourselves sorted before driving out on Friday.
We ended up changing our first stop plans. At first we had requested a shorter stay but they asked if we could come early so we worked that out. Then she emailed and said we could go back to the original dates because they have other people staying and then it sounded like they might not have room for us because a big group had booked the farm stay and all this just sounded like it was not simple so we cancelled. We found another host and we'll go there on Sunday after a couple nights of camping. She lives alone it sounds like and it's not an accommodation as well so should be quieter and simpler. I definitely will need some good nights of sleep because the guy upstairs was up late and loud on the weekend. Will be so nice to be out of this flat soon...
We have a new member of our family because Dustin bought a surfboard yesterday. He found it online and it's used but it was $250 with a leash and it's the shape and in the size range he was looking for. It's been interesting to compare the board prices here with home, some in shops here that are $1000 are maybe $500 in Oregon. So it was looking like a new one here wouldn't be the best option. We had already bought a bigger travel surf bag from the thrift store because it would be good to double as a roof rack for us while we're moving around. I'm sure there will still be extra room even with two boards in it though. So that's all good!
Dustin went golfing again on the weekend. He figured he had the clubs and the balls so why not another round. It's like $8 to play nine holes here. He met up with a buddy from work and it sounds like they had a nice time. We kept just a few clubs and some balls to drive into the ocean or something maybe. Or maybe a driving range evening sometime - no driving range in New Plymouth though.
It's really interesting to see how other people travel compared to us. We know that what we do suits us so it really makes you think about how else it might work for us. However, I don't think we'd have the energy to hitch hike all over and then try to be couchsurfing and wwoofing at most stops - it feels like you just have to be on all the time because you're always someone's guest in a way. But hey if you can handle that, why not! We do like to have the options that buying the car provided. Especially to be able to check out surf spots because they are not often easy to get to. Hosting the couple of couchsurfers did rejuvenate my love for the idea of it though! So I sent out a few requests for Wellington when we're there. It's just so neat to meet new people and when I think of our stays in Australia, they really are highlights and we're in touch still with many people we met. One of them had an article written about her in the paper with regards to couch surfing so she sent us the link.
Well I think I am going to go have some lunch so off I go.
Soon on the road again...Sounds great! Too bad the farm stay didn't work out as it looked awesome online. Enjoy your last couple days at work and at the flat. Cheers to you both. N&F Mom
ReplyDelete