The Pirates of Paihia
Dave says:
At last sun. In fact, so much sun we’ve gone from pasty white to lobster red in twenty minutes. Actually, we’re turning a healthy shade of tan as we find ourselves in the New Zealand equivalent of the San Juan Islands. The place is called The Bay of Islands and we’re in a little beach town called Paihia up in the top northeast corner of the north island.
Yesterday was a day spent under sail. One of my favorite things to do! We set sail on the good ship “She’s a Lady” (named after the Tom Jones song I hope) around 10am and proceeded to “gunkhole” (that’s a nautical term) from island to island. We stopped for a sandwich on a small beach, kayaked, hiked and headed back in time for late afternoon beer.
Today, it being a Tuesday (we think) we did laundry! Doesn’t sound very exciting but the smell of clean clothes when one is down to their last pair of knickers is quite heavenly. Laundry didn’t take long at all so we had time to hop another boat over to a small town called Russell. Something really important happened in Russell in eighteen hundred and something but I can’t quite remember what it was. Lots of other really important things happened around this region about the same time too. They generally involve an explorer from Europe, some natives from NZ (who aren’t really natives but they got here a few hundred years earlier so claimed bragging rights as well as land) and sweet potatoes. Anyhow, needless to say that the town is cute and teaming with tourists. On the tourist side, we noticed there are tons of Brits here. Apart from the obvious reason another clue to their ubiquity could be that there are over two NZ dollars to the UK pound so these (my) people are once again living it large in a (former) colony. FYI - There are one and a little bit NZ$ to the wheezing US$ right now.
Speaking of wheezing, we’re both doing a lot better health wise now the rain has gone and our skins are flooded with vitamin D.
Tomorrow we move on. I believe we’re going to hike around some really really large trees. It may take a day just to make it around one of these guys. I joke (obviously) but I do believe them to have a diameter around five meters or more. Everything here is made from those trees which is not surprising really. Then on to another part of the country where we’ll do some more stuff. That, my friends, is about as exact as our plans get these days.
Oh - and now we actually have pictures in the gallery.
Don’t forget to check out our gallery
Oh again - Forgot to mention we went to a place called Sheep World. I thought the Americans had the monopoly on tourist attractions suffixed with “world” or “universe” but aparently not. In Sheep World one can find, well, sheep really. Here’s one right now:
January 11th, 2005 at 7:22 pm
Glad to hear you are back on your feet and with clean underwear to boot! Nothing can stop you now!
Looking at the galleries so many questions come to mind. Who is the old man of the statue? Why are the buildings sunk in the ground? Who killed all the animals? What an exotic and mysterious country! Don’t drink the water and watch your back!
January 11th, 2005 at 7:32 pm
Great to see that things are looking up for you guys and the trip is evolving into what you hoped it would be i.e. all the beer shots and my little girl looking sweetly buzzed! Sounds like you’re starting to let go of the 9-5 mindset which is just what you went there for, so cheers! And yes it’s true, Brad & Jen have separated, it’s quite devastating and we’re all so sad. As if that weren’t enough for us to deal with, the Seahawks blew their play off game. How much is a mother of a daughter who has escaped to New Zealand, supposed to cope with all in a week’s time? I know, life isn’t fair, but isn’t this all a bit much?? Love and hugs to you both!
January 11th, 2005 at 7:49 pm
It sounds like you’re having a great adventure already although judging by the photos it seems possible that you haven’t actually left Seattle. Perhaps this is just like one of those trips to the moon that is actually done on a sound stage. Is there, in fact, even a New Zealand (what, after all, did they do with the Old Zealand)? But to be serious, the important thing is you have each other. Best of luck and best wishes on your trip.
January 11th, 2005 at 9:53 pm
Greetings wayward travelers! I am so happy to hear that your journey has begun and that you are experiencing the relaxation and adventure that you have been seeking. Dave, what’s up with every picture of Sarah looking toasted, and notone shot of you with a pint in hand?! We need to see a liquored-up Englishman. Afterall, I paid good money to view this blog!
You missed a brief patch of snow here. Otherwise, the dojo is damn cold, the Seattle espresso continues to be pulled, and I am planning a small adventure for Mexico and then, Italy, I hope. But just three between the two places. Solmaz and I will have to think about saving for our next great adventure that will involve months away. Thanks for the inspiration to keep traveling.
I wish you both well, and look forward to reading more. Be safe and keep an eye or two on each other.
Love,
Erik
January 11th, 2005 at 10:45 pm
Dave - Where is your Chopper??
I am so disappointed! How can you think of backpacking your way across NZ, thumbing rides, catching trains, flying etc. when there are shops selling brand spanking new Choppers??
I want you to get back to that town, get down to the shop and get that bike… and then, in true Easy Rider fashion, cruise your way around the country with 3 gears and a good deal of style.
Imagine what a great memoir it would be - all those photos of Sarah straddling your proud, shiny, red chopper… (ahem… dirty minds, all of you!)
Love to you both.
xxx
January 11th, 2005 at 10:59 pm
That last comment is NOTHING to do with Tex’s wife - contrary to what the little sod might have put.
Dave and Sarah - photos look great, glad you’re having a big adventure.
H x
January 12th, 2005 at 2:06 am
Hi You Two
Sounds as though you are having a great time and doing tonnes too. Haven’t had a chance to view your pics yet as the server isn’t working at present but will do asap. Sheepworld sound like the type of place Rich would like to visit, well me too actually but I guess there is nothing like that in the UK that we know of anyway. Take care and enjoy!
Little Sis
January 12th, 2005 at 5:09 am
Hi you two glad you are having a good time Sarah looks like she is or is it the contents of the glass I see Tex likes your choppers!! Enjoy yourselves
Luv Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxx
January 12th, 2005 at 5:38 am
I am so glad things are turning up in NZ! I want to hear more about these mysterious sweet potatoes! Have fun and be SAFE!!!! Most importantly WEAR SUN SCREEN! Seattle misses the two of you!
Always,
Heather Dessler
January 14th, 2005 at 10:26 am
Red lobsters, clean knickers and gunkholes…and Brenda and I thought our little holiday in Holland was exciting…