[Nz2003] Rotorua -> Auckland -> San Francisco

[Edmund A. Hintz]

No photos in this post-the digital camera bit the dust on the way out of
Rotorua.

    Leaving Rotorua we planned to take a drive around the Coromandel
peninsula and then continue into Northlands for our last day and a half.
However, we didn't get a very early start, and when we hit the bottom end
of the peninsula we decided to cut west and get through Auckland before
the traffic hit. We made it through there, then continued through
Northlands up to Whangarei, and started hunting for a place to stay for
the night. It was a tall order, apparently there was a road rally going
on while we were there and all the motels were jam-packed. Tried heading
out towards Marsden Point, and struck out in Onerahi as well. Continued
on towards the point, and stopped at a BP gas station to ask if there
were any motels down there-the guy said "yeah, there's Franks". So I
asked, "Just one?" and he replies "No, there's more than one Frank".
Yeah, like I was really interested in the number of folks named Frank out
on Marsden Point... Anyway, back in Whangarei we ended up finding a room
at the Quality Hotel, for just the one night as the rally had 'em booked
for the next night. We'd again intended to get an early start and go
around the Northlands area, maybe stopping at 90 mile beach, but a series
of errors ended up with us getting nowhere. Started out of town, needed
gas. Didn't see any stations so we kept going to the next berg-Hikurangi.
No gas stations. Oops. Had to go back to Kamo for gas, a backtrack of
about 20km. So once we had gas we got back on the Northward road, and at
Towai we realized the cell phone was still plugged into the wall at the
hotel. Damn. Turned back and got it, but by this time it was way to late
to have any hope of getting very far North. Problem is, this was
Thursday, and we needed to be back in Auckland at 3pm Friday for our 6pm
flight to LAX. 

    We decided to try for the west coast, to have one last sunset, and
even that was difficult. Headed to Dargaville, but it's a bit inland and
somewhat hickish as well, so no joy was to be had. Continued South and
decided to make a break for Auckland, as there was really nothing for us
up on the coast and we also wanted a good steak dinner for our last night
in country and we knew we could get it in Auckland. We made it back into
the Auckland area in plenty of time, and on the way we called some of the
visitor info folks asking for tips on good sunset spots. They recommended
Piha, and we headed out there. Due to some lousy directions we basically
missed the sunset, only caught the tail end. However, our final location
for the trip was the Piha Lodge, a fabulous BnB. We had our own little 1-
bedroom unit with game room, pool, and jacuzzi, and some incredible views
of the Tasman Sea. It was a lot like Morro Bay, big old rock right in the
middle of the bay, surf pounding in around it, and views all around. It
was a fitting end to the journey. Got dinner at the Piha Surf and
Lifesaving Club, which sounds rather mundane but they did make some good
steaks. Piha was a neat community, we'd have liked to live there but
we're a few years too late-they tell us places that sold for $300k 5
years ago are going for 1mil today. Now, these are NZ dollars, so with
the favorable exchange rate that's only $500k US, but if you don't have
it the favorable exchange rate is pointless.

    From Piha we went directly to the airport, got there in good time,
and our flight was late. So after a good 5 hours at the airport we
finally headed out. Left Auckland at about 7pm on 11 April, arrived LAX
at about 12pm on 11 April, thanks to crossing the dateline... Customs in
the US was considerably slower than NZ, bummer. Once we got through, my
Grandfather picked us up, and we stayed the night at his place in Palos
Verdes. Needed some rest after the marathon flight. Headed out Saturday
around noon, did a lot of 90-100mph driving through the valley, and
arrived home around 6pm Saturday night. The dogs were ecstatic to see us,
and the fresh keg of beer was welcome... We're home, sort of. Sam asked
me, a few days before leaving, if I was ready to go home. My reply, which
I stick to today, "Yes, I'm ready to go home to New Zealand. I'm tired of
living in suitcases and motels, and want to be in my own home. However, I
want my home to be in New Zealand".

Regards,

Ed Hintz
ed@hintz.org