I woke up early and got my stuff together. As I was having breakfast, a couple of girls came to the Air B&B who were renting it that night. They were from Wisconsin and just arrived from Australia so we exchanged stories and tips for quite some time. I left and walked to the bus stop. I had to trek back up that steep path with all my stuff and even though the stop was only a fifteen minute walk away, being weighed down was tiring. At the stop, I talked with a young female Auckland resident. The bus brought me downtown, but still a good distance from the ferry/train terminal where my next bus would be.
I took my time walking there and researched car rentals as I went. I went into a Countdown for a sandwich and fruit and then continued to the train terminal where I found a picnic table. The chicken salad sandwich was super good and for once I wasn't rushing to catch a bus. A nice guy who also lives in Auckland sat down near me while waiting for his brother to get off of the train. We talked for a bit and then I walked around the corner to Quay Street and got on the Mana bus. The bus was so incredibly hot which made for a very long three and a half hour ride.
Around 4:30 it arrived in Tauranga. I had been to this town earlier on in my trip with Alison and David for an afternoon. I found my way to my hostel and checked in. After awhile, I walked twenty minutes to Pak N Save and bought groceries for the next couple of days. I made it back to the hostel and cooked up chicken and veggies for dinner. Later on, I struck up conversation with a young German guy who lives in Perth, Aus. He was in Tauranga for work as a salesmen and was planning to go to Wellington to see a friend since his work assignment was over. Bed.
