I finall yhave my "space ship" or "Giant Bug" or "Salena". Its a 94 Nissan Serena with a bed in the back so I can sleep in it and under bed storage. I picked it up on saturday and was relly stoked. It has 217000 km but a rebuilt engine. The rest of it looks like it has gone 217000 Km. The sliding door on the side closes and locks but the electrical connection is shot so the door ajar light comes on. All that aside I outfitted it with all that I need for now and hit the road (After losing my phone in one of my bags and then losing my keys in the van under a bag, terrable time!). I went to Waipu which was settled by scotts and still has a highland heritage. I found a DOC (depatment of conservation) campsite right next to a great beach. Its in Breem Bay and has blue green waters and clear as can be imagined. I've been cooking, reading, swimming, reflecting on my time so far, and planning the next month or so. There are some caves in the area that boast the largest stalagtite in NZ. I will explore tomorrow. I have found some sleepy little towns but nothing crazy to report. As I was driving in on saturday and trying to find a place to sleep before the sun went down I passed some dudes in wetsuits and bouys walking along the road. I drove past my turn so I turned back around and passed them again. This time they were at their van and had the hood open with jumper cables out trying to flag me down. I was driving too fast to stop but I felt bad since the sun was gouing down and the road had almost no traffic. I also anticipate having more than one need for someone to junpstart my Van. So I looped back and pulled bummper to bummper to them and popped the hood. Before I could get out the older guy had a bucket of sea urchins fresh from the sea that he wanted to give me in return for the jump. What followed was a fun conversation abou how I have no where to keep them (on the dashboard) and had no clue how to get the yellow slime out of them. I did not want to be rude and tell them I dislike unagi. If you have ever had it at a sushi place you know what I mean. They were locals and pointed me in the right direction to find where I wanted to go. What an adventure. So the last few days have been pretty quiet but I have a few initial thoughts about some of the new things I have observed in my time in NZ:
-People are generally nice and interested in what I am doing and where I am going (DUh)
-Mullets and Rat tails are Totally in style!
-Short-shorts on dudes are cool especilly with hiking/work boots
-The Maori and any blood relitaves are Huge human beings!!
-Radio is much better here. (Regge and Classic rock and Folk all on one station)
-Food and Gas is expensive. Gas is almost $8.00 a gallon
-The birds are annoyingly loud everywhere!
-I need lots of bugspray and sunblock.
So thats about it for the time being. I will put up pictures on FB when I can use my computer. Im off to find some local oysters and fish. I hope to be free camping and fishing this weekend. Sic em Bears!!! thanks to everyone for the update. I almost started yelling inside this museum. Have a fun week and enjoy your hot showers! Pura Vida, Nicholas
