Like No Other...

March 27/12 10:20am

I started writing this entry from the sun-soaked deck overlooking the ocean but the sun was just too bright so I moved into a super comfy chair with windows overlooking the ocean. Yep, we're in New Plymouth. We're staying in this stunning home right near the beach. Last night, we didn't have to use a sound machine because we had the ocean crashing as a lullaby.

On Sunday we did make it out to Piha for a bit of a walk. It was far too windy to surf plus it's a dangerous spot so on a bad day it's a deathwish. We figured out how to eat an avocado on the go though. This place had 8 avos for $1 on the way out - yep some navigational drama since we didn't map it first and hadn't been there before - so we grabbed 6. But we hadn't brought utensils since we just had sandwiches and Dustin's multi-tool was in his bag at the flat. So it turns out that when they are ripe enough you can just peel it and nibble away. Delicious!

Yesterday was a long day. Take back the rental car (of course, I took the long way after missing a turn...) Then it's off to the airport to find the cargo terminal. They issue us a set of challenges - get biosecurity approval for our goods, find the customs office and get their approval, pay fees and then load up our gear. In a surprising turn, all 11 boxes/bins fit in the wagon! Even with our 2 travel packs, 2 backpacks, and suitcase! We were rapt until we started driving and found that space-wise it was all good but weight-wise it was a bit much for the ol' girl. I guess over 200 kg is a bit of a weighty load.

As it were, we still hadn't invested in a proper Auckland map since we weren't staying there. And we had given up the borrowed one from our host since we checked out. In a roundabout way we got back to the Southern Motorway and maybe 15 minutes later pulled off to post some of the bins rather than max out the shocks for a nearly 5 hour trek. We offloaded about 40 kg and it helped but in all honestly we likely would have been better off dropping another 20 kg or so.

All in all we got here in one piece. It was still light out and our hosts were very excited to meet us. They showed us to our room and around their castle-like home (really, it's quite large with lots of different levels including a home gym!) and we were able to unload the car. Dustin was eyeing the surf as soon as we could see the ocean (so the last hour of the journey) but it was a bit messy out and with daylight fading fast, he waited until today. That's where he is as I type and where he'll be found almost daily now I reckon.

I think we're going to take out the bikes later and start looking at flats to rent. Our hosts are happy for us to stay on here longer but I, for one, am ready to fully unpack and settle in. So we'll see what's out there and decide after that. They rent out many rooms but we are the only guests right now so sharing the kitchen and living space with just the hosts will be fine. Our room even has a couch and TV and a door to the backyard and we have a bathroom to ourselves as well. Another super find from Air B & B (thanks Katie for telling us about that website!!)

Last night we went into town and had a look around. There have been some changes of course, it has been about 15 months since we last laid eyes on the place. Dustin was musing about how long it will be until he runs into someone he knows. Upon waking this morning and looking 2 lots down, there are 3 guys he used to work with, doing a job in the neighbour's yard. He didn't know them well but they qualified for us to say it only took about 14 hours for him to see people he knew.

It's a lovely sunny day again so I am going to walk down to the beach and see if I can watch Dustin - really, he should have gotten that yellow wetsuit so he was easy to spot!

Here we are! It feels like it's been a long time coming - because it has - but it's nice to finally be here. (Ok, I'm not going to lie, I typed "home" at first but it didn't feel quite right yet.)