Around the World: Whangarei

December 19, 1991

Made my way from Waiheke Island back to Auckland and bought a bus ticket that allows unlimited travel for 14 days. Took the bus to Whangarei and found the hostel atop a very steep hill, which is quite the workout with a backpack. On the bus, I talked with a lady, originally from Scotland, who has lived in New Zealand since 1965. She told me about the rainforest here and how most of New Zealand's trees are protected because they are native only to here.

Not far from the hostel is a nature walk along a narrow and uneven path that ends at a cave full of glow worms. The hostel keeper volunteered to take anyone who was interested to the cave at night, which made the path just that much more of an unpredictable adventure. 

Waipu Caves, Whangarei
Imagine this trail in the dark.

I had no idea what to expect from a glow worm other than a worm that glows, perhaps like a firefly, but longer. Arriving at the cave was such a treat, not only having survived a treacherous hike in pitch darkness, but looking up at the cave's ceiling and seeing this:

Glow Worms

I am so sunburned. I look like a long tomato.

This morning, while I sat outside drinking my coffee, a peacock flounced by, followed by a chicken and two dogs. The hostel manager, seeing my surprised expression, added that there was also a donkey behind the hostel.

On the way back from picking up a few more groceries, Gail and I had to investigate a store marked with huge letters that spelled "LiquorLand".  It was expected that it sold alcohol, and wonderfully unexpected to choose from their selection of mix, munchies and assorted clothing.  It's a kind of one-stop-shop for all your kicking back needs.

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"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

~Helen Keller

Around the World: Waiheke Island

December 18, 1991

Arrived in Auckland after giving a day away at the International Date Line.  Met a fellow Canadian at the airport, Gail, from New Brunswick. We introduced ourselves to three more Canadians from Huntsville at the hostel in Auckland I've already made enough money cutting my hostel-mate's hair to pay for the night's stay at the hostel and some groceries.

After a good night's sleep, I seem to be adjusted to this time zone.  On a quest to get out of the city and explore an island just off the east coast.  Walked through Auckland from the hostel to the ferry docks and bought a ticket to Waiheke Island.

Onetangi Beach, Waiheki Island, New Zealand
Photo by: Trakesht at en.wikipedia

Staying in Onetangi Bay and the beach here, which is only a long stairway trek down a steep hill from the hostel, is virtually deserted. The shells on the beach are spectacular and I have easily filled a large container. The people here are incredibly hospitable. The water is beautifully clear and free of jellyfish.  The waves are perfect for the novice body surfer. The island is peppered with flowers and every corner I turn is more beautiful than the scenery behind me.  I think I'm in love!

The sun here is very strong. The 15SPF I brought with me is nothing more than a basting, I swear I can hear it sizzling on my skin, like bacon in a pan. I am kicking myself for balking at spending $9USD for 45SPF in Hawaii. I am already regretting that decision!

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"Go down to the beach before the tide comes in,
And write your worries on the sand.
Then watch the ocean come in and wash them away."

~Maithri Goonetilleke

Around the World: Waikiki

December 15, 1991

It is very, very early in the morning. I called to confirm the flight for, what I thought was tomorrow evening and found out it was leaving in three hours!  I ran up to my room and scooped up all my clothes, wet and dry, and crammed it all into my knapsack.  Ron, the hostel driver, rushed me off to the airport, arriving seconds before missing my flight to New Zealand. The clerk who checked in my bag told me that if I had missed this flight, I could have booked on the one that leaves next week.  Hmmm, stuck in Hawaii for a whole week.  Why did I rush to the airport again?  Oh well, the plane has already taken off.  More Pacific Ocean... more turbulence. I see the beverage service heading my way.

Beer!?!

Although my stay in Hawaii was shorter than I thought it was going to be, I still managed to get in a swim on the beach, some soft sand between my toes and a beautiful partial view of a dormant volcano.

Waikiki Beach looking towards Diamond Head
Photo by Ryan Tutmarc

I offered to cut a hostel-mate's hair. Bruce, who is missing a foot, is running in a marathon tomorrow (which is actually later today) around Oahu. Weird, in the sense that I never really thought about what it would be like to not have all my parts. Bruce finds it equally weird that he shouldn't be able to do all the things anybody else with two feet can do. I don't see why not either, really. Just never thought to think about it. Not until a few hours ago.  At least I had a chance to wish him luck before I left.  He says he usually places in the top 50.  This time he wants to break into the top 20.  Go Bruce!!

Not only does this chance meeting give me some new perspective, but he brought me some good luck. As I was cutting Bruce's hair, other hostel-mates passed by and saw that I actually knew what I was doing. A line up of interested patrons began to grow. Three guys in line entertained my waiting customers with perilous tales of body surfing on the North Beach. Sounds like fun, if you don't mind ending the adventure in a palm tree. They were pretty battered, but undeterred for a plan to do again tomorrow (also later today).

This time zone thing is confusing and I'll soon cross over the international date line. I'm going to have to track down a calendar when I land in Auckland or everyone I meet is going to think I've suffered some kind of head trauma.

Back to the haircuts... I cut my finger cutting hair and it started bleeding again on the plane. I asked the stewardesses, who were taking a break in the rear of the plane for a tissue. One of them took a look at it and bandaged it up for me and helped me back to my seat with a generous helping of ice cream. :) After some sleep and the morning food service, the stewardess offered me a second helping of breakfast and let me go see the pilot. Whoo hoo!

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The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment; it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone.

~Orison Swett Marden