On the road: Week eleven round-up
Distance travelled: 194km (2h 30m) from Reefton to Harihari. It’s been a cruisy week with four nights in Hokitika.
Audiobook on deck: We ditched and returned Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell as it just wasn’t doing it for us. We used the refunded credit (thanks Audible!) to get Fear The Sky by Stephen Moss, a recommendation from Wren (Corridor Crew) who appears to have exactly the same taste in audiobooks as we do. So far, so much better. Stuff is happening.
Currently watching: We finished Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood and wow, that was good. We are also nearly right up to date with Critical Role C2, so we may need a side binge…
We were grateful for: The soaring happiness that comes from having the time to enjoy the simple things properly, like a walk in the crisp autumn sunshine through a town (Hokitika) we had previously just driven through. Getting to know Hokitika has been a real pleasure.
We missed: The point of the Wild Food Festival… it was $50 each to get in and once you were in, the food available was hugely overpriced, the entertainment was OK but the seating areas were not that great. Also, the seagulls. OH GOD DAMN THE SEAGULLS. Blast those flying feathery fecal flingers to hell.
We learned: That we didn’t need to get to Hokitika NZMCA park five days in advance to guarantee a spot, because most of the people who park in the NZMCA weren’t that into the Wild Food festival. But it was fun to have the time to see this town anyway, so no regrets.
Funniest moment: Kath coming out of the loo at Hotel Harihari and walking straight past Dan who was sat three metres to her left. Someone rolled a natural one on her perception check! The bar staff thought it was hilarious.
Best save: The roast pork dinner with amazing brussel sprouts that Dan made as consolation for the fail of the Wild Food Festival, followed by custard and gingernut biscuits. YUM. It certainly raised the mood after Kath got pooped on twice at the festival by seagulls - once in her eye.
Best spend: The $17.50 for the epic sandwiches at the Hokitika Sandwich Co. They were easily the best sandwiches we have ever had. I recommend the Fish for those who like smoked fish and pickled things.
Best campsite: Rapahoe Beach Holiday Park. Easily the best view and beach access we have had on the entire West Coast. Add to that amazing sunsets, campfires and the sound of waves crashing all night and you’ve got something magical.
Most interesting fact we learned: That kiwis get the zoomies! We went to the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika and spent ages just watching the two in the enclosure there pootling about. Their carer said that sometimes the make gets zoomies and just starts running around all over the place. Cute!
We recommend: Taking the time to get to know smaller towns in New Zealand and supporting the local businesses around the place. It’s amazing how much the weather affects your first impression of a place, so make sure you’re aware of that and give it a chance to show you its more attractive side. There’s so much more to this country of ours than just the “highlights list” that everyone knows about.
Number of wrecked cars on the roadside: None! Mind you, we hardly ever did any driving.
Progress made towards our 20 in 2020: Lots of walks around Hokitika to keep our fitness up. We didn’t get in any long hikes, but it’s something. On the cooking from scratch front, Dan made the most incredible tuna rice mix for lunch which is now my favourite thing to eat in the van ever. Kath ignored her quilting goal and started a new knitting project (and then started again about 11 times) but it kind of counts.
