Ladies Night

Arriving in New Zealand we were the last through customs as our camping lifestyle led to a full biohazard check! Getting to our swanky backpackers lodge, a very nice and helpful guy checked us into our room, almost a penthouse suite on the top floor with huge windows overlooking the city. Everything was so clean and comfy and the city looked fresh and tidy- we were instantly getting a good feel for Auckland.

After a relaxed morning as we adjusted to being a further two hours ahead (one of our friends thinks we are world travelling time lords as being 13 hours ahead now we often make phone calls from the future!) When we did drag ourselves from our super comfy bed we headed out for a walk around town. As impressive as the tall mirrored tower blocks and the iconic Sky Tower are, Central Auckland is fairly compact and easy to walk around which instantly gave it more appeal than some of the other cities we have visited. However, whilst distance was on our side, the weather was not and we soon took shelter in another internet cafe for the afternoon as it poured outside.

The following day we had planned to camp on one of the nearby islands but with the weather similarly gloomy we decided to wait, taking another wander and then treating ourselves to cinema tickets. We spent the evening watching the brilliant "Where the Wild Things Are" with the scenery throughout underlining how fortunate we are to be seeing similar places in the flesh. Yet another relaxed day was appreciated by both but we knew we were going to have to visit these islands whatever the weather or risk running out of time.

Next morning we checked out early, stored the majority of our luggage at the hostel, reserved our room for three nights on our return (and in preparation for Mr Blake's 30th in two days time!) and headed out into the cold, grey, misty drizzle- New Zealand summers are not too far off English it seems!

We boarded the ferry to Rangitoto Island, an uninhabited volcanic outcrop that erupted from the sea just 600 years ago. We kept things as light as possible with just our sleeping bags and tent as once there we would be hiking around the volcano and across the causeway to the neighbouring Motutapu Island to camp for the evening. With our funds starting to run low the 10$ camp fee made the fairly costly ferry ride (on our budget anyway) affordable, so we knew we were there for the night.

Getting out into the harbour the bad weather became more apparent, as even these sheltered waters were pretty ferocious and the boat was slung up and down to the soundtrack of ohhs and ahhs from the predominantly Japanese tourists aboard. After the slightly hairy trip we put on our waterproofs, hats and gloves and started to explore.

Walking throught the strange lava fields we were surrounded by fairytale like trees thick with moss- it could have been a set for "Labyrinth" or "Dark Crystal". The long gradual slope to the crater proved an enjoyable walk as we both appreciated the serenity of the place and the nice clean wholesome feeling that comes with fresh air. However, the top did not offer the reward of view across the harbour and out to the other island. Rather, we were engulfed in clouds and my so-called waterproof jacket was letting itself down once again.

Wandering back down we took a detour to the lava caves where we passed through two underground tunnels, thick with the sound of water as the rain fell harder and channelled through the rocks to seep slowly down our necks. Although downhill our discomfort made the walk back seem longer and we were thrilled when a ranger offered us a lift to the campsite.

On arrival we were thoroughly drenched. Water was running down the inside of our trouser legs, our sponge like walking socks had created smalls ponds in each of our boots and whilst Blakey's coat had protected him water had gone through three layers of my clothes so I was soggy down to my underwear. Needless to say noone else had decided to stay the night so we had the site to ourselves. Running into the ladies we shivered as we peeled the sodden layers off our bodies with fingers so cold they couldn't move properly and rushed to dry ourselves with towels before jumping into our sleeping bags. I had my pyjamas with me but with Blakey not wearing much at all to bed had only his sleeping bag to retain his modesty whilst we attempted to dry our clothes hung around the cubicles. Huddled in our little coccoons it took a long time to warm and we gratefully tucked in to our muffins- a fotunate buy earlier in the day.

As the evening drew in we considered setting the tent up a few times, making plans to erect it in the ladies and then carry it accross the field, but our lack of dry clothes and the constant howl of wind and rain made the sturdier walls of the toilets more appealing. We stayed put and were asleep super early.

The next morning we awoke on the concrete, drafty floor and groaned as we realised our clothes were still sodden. We reluctantly dressed and squelched our way outside where the sun had finally decided to show and started to make the three hour long trek back to the ferry.

After such a night it can sometimes be difficult to remain upbeat, and this was unfortunately heightened as both of our legs were hurting due to the cramped conditions in which we had fallen asleep and I was in the midst of horrendous cramps. Yuk. We advanced painfully slowly along a road we had travelled three times now, damp and in need of a good cup of tea. By the time we got to the wharf sitting down seemed like a huge reward. We were almost smug as we boarded the ferry, having just dropped dozens of daytrippers on the island the rain started once more.

The short walk from the harbour back to the hostel was like an epic home stretch and our comfy matress was calling to us. As Blakey checked in I headed for the toilet and was confused when he had been given the key for a differnt room. Returning to the desk clerk I explained that I had specifically booked room 1013- our room- as it was Blakey's birthday tomorrow and we had promised ourselves somewhere swanky. I am sure that she was the one who had made the mistake as she was overly defensive in her explanation that all the other doubles had gone and the room she had given us was the last left.

Already feeling guilty that our lack of funds had prevented me from buying Blakey a present in advance, when we got to our room to find a small box with no window and over the top airconditioning I'm not afraid to say I burst into tears. Admittedly hormones may have had something to do with it but after the previous night we had planned to sleep well and wake up refreshed on the 6th for a luxurious lie-in. Furious with the staff for their mistake the best I could get was a reluctant promise to consider moving us the next day, if anything else became available.

To really make matters worse, soon after we had crawled under our sheets a very rowdy group checked into the dorm room next door, divided from us by a seemingly paper-thin wall. They proceded to engage in a full on party with loud music, slamming doors, singing and occassional drunken slanging matches complete with loud calls of "Fack you you facking slag!" Lovely. It went on, and on, and on. At what must have been 4am I had enough. I was seething that not only had we been moved to another room but next to that as well, just when I was trying to make Blakey's birthday special. As he was awake too we turned the lights on to find a watch and check the time. It was 9am. What a crappy start to his birthday.