Laura and I reunited in Bali for one night where I treated her to a nice hotel and sushi for our 9 year anniversary. Nine, Nueve, Neuf years have past and wow have they flown. We got all our last minute shopping done and one surf session in before we were off to Auckland, New Zealand.
I don't know if it is wrong to say this but it is nice to be out of South East Asia. We spent just over four months there and had a blast but it was time for a change. We spent six days in Auckland getting ourselves organized and seeing family and friends. A lot of people knock Auckland but we kind of liked it. It is a quieter Vancouver and we enjoyed it.
Our first full day in Auckland we bought our 1993 Subaru Legacy and went through all of the paper work etc. On our second day I got a call that my surfboard which I had pre-ordered had arrived early so Laura and I made our way to begin our mega day of shopping. Two wetsuits, two boards, shoes, wax, stomp pads, a thick NZ surf guide and one burning hot visa. All worth it because we left with big smiles on our face. From there we were on a mission to find cheap camping gear and cheap we found. The Warehouse (Walmartesque) that we stumbled upon was having an up to 50% off sale on tons of stuff. We bought it all new. It was cheaper and better than buying a used kit that some hippie slept in for 6 months. 
Our first few nights we slept in the All Seasons hotel right in the heart of Auckland. Since we just purchased our camping gear and there was a little kitchenette in our room, we managed to eat in almost every meal. After leaving South East Asia we were caught off guard with the prices of everything here. We knew it was going to be expensive but not gas at 1.86/litre, coffee minimum $3.50 for a small and camping 25$ a night if not more. So we have to watch a couple costs and change some of are plans but I think it is all working out. Last Friday I managed to get my first NZ surf session. There was some swell on the east coast and Laura had an appointment in the city and was meeting up with her Aunt Pauline. I slipped out in the morning about an hour and a half north of the city to Waipu Cove to test out the new waters, surfboard and wetsuit. I had an epic session 3-4ft waves with some fast tubes. The new board was a perfect purchase and I am definitely in love with it. Surf stoke on my face, I made my way back to Auckland to have some dinner with Pauline and friends.
The next day Laura was “tired” from the family gathering and slept in the car while I drove to Piha on the west coast for an afternoon session. It is a heavy beach break and I did not get it in good conditions. The wind was onshore and the waves 6-7ft of death. Few waves had and all in all a bush league session.
From there we went to see our friends, Blair and Emmaleen, who we met in southern Vietnam. Laura remained “tired” and slept the night away. I went out with Blair to eat steak and watch League Rugby. Steak is finally back in my life and I am loving it.
Sunday was our last day in Auckland. We hung out with Blair and Emmaleen, soaking in some rays at the local beach. We had another BBQ and hit the road. What a nice feeling to be behind the wheel again and not in the back of a bus. We did a two hour drive to Hot Water beach in the Coromandel Penninsula. We arrived late and the only open campsite was 39$ so we slept in the car in some parking lot.
The next morning was flat as a pancake for surf so we decided to head south to Gisborne. It turned into a long 9 hour travel day but we stopped a bit and enjoyed the beautiful scenery the whole way down. We decided to explore a region about 40km south of Gisborne where there was supposed to be accommodation and lots of surf options. All we found was a dead town, a cracked out woman and poor surf conditions. We decided to pull shoot and head back to Gisborne for the night which has now turned into several nights. Gisborne is a simple town with not much to do and no real character but it is wine region (chardonnay is their best) and there is a lot of surf. We set up camp in town at Waikanae Top Ten Campground which is very close to one of the waves and pretty central to the little that this town has to offer.
The surf has been epic. We have been mostly surfing two spots Gizzy Pipe and Red Bus as the swell has been dying. But everyday we have managed to score clean waves that are fun for the whole family. Laura is killing it and our session today was probably the best I have seen her surf. Her new board is a perfect fit. She bought a Spider 5'11x19”x2 1/4” fish which is exactly what she needs. For me my new board has been a dream come true. It is fast, loose and fun. I can't wait to see what else it can do.
We are sticking around here for another couple days to surf, hike and do some wine (plus cider) tours then are off to do more of the same but in Napier.
Drive to Hot Water Beach
No waves but nice bays
First to hike the Te Kuri Farm trail in Gizzy.
Lots of these
Nice view with dinner right behind us
The River restaurant 1 pound steak for me please!
Todays Hike
Big No No but that is why they are called kooks!
