I was sad to leave the Coromandel, where every day is happy in Hahei and all the new friends I've made in this beauteous part of earth. My Mana bus driver to Tauranga was nutty! He informed us of all his local knowledge which was rather hilarious; he referred to it as the fun bus and had a dirty rascal laugh at his own jokes.
The fun bus drove past the L and P bottle statue and through Karanagahake Gorge. I'm never enthusiastic when these twisty roads are commandeered but the scenery every which way throughout the canyon was simply breathtaking.
Marie found me wandering the streets of Tauranga as she came to pick me up from the bus. How cool that we get to have a reunion on the opposite end of the world from where we first met in 2015! She treated me to a meal of cumin and oregano infused chicken quesadilla with black beans and salad. My taste in Mexican cuisine is impeccable and these were the scrummiest.
We spent a peaceful evening hot pooling cos you know how these Kiwis roll. And when in Tauranga, you do likewise!
BIG STEPS IN THIS GRAND ADVENTURE WE CALL LIFE -
It was way too hot for this awfulness! With an elevation of 232 metres, I gaped up in dismay at the 2.35 million year old rock. It doesn't paint me in the best light of fitness when elderly ladies overtake me uphill. I was sad and sweaty as I clambered unremittingly. What's also not cool is that these OAP's didn't need breathers whatsoever whilst I took about 20!! Stupid, defective legs that I possess!
Parts were so steep that I began to feel ill at ease that I wouldn't be able to scale the dizzying heights of Tongariro.. The views from the summit were stunningly stupendous on a mighty fine afternoon. As I looked out down below to the bronzed beach, all that I could survey were happy and sunning.
ME AND THE ICE CREAM BOND ONCE MORE -
A reward was promised unto myself in the form of a Copenhagen waffle cone with triple scoopage. Passionfruit, cookie dough and hokey pokey - the combination of which made my abdomen excessively merry. Probably my 4th round of gelato in as many days but I don't have to justify my ice cream intake to ANYBODY!!
You don't scare me seagulls and NO, you're not getting a lick of my sweetened, frozen food! A convention of these crackpots crowded round me and my cone at Pilot Bay but I was not to be negotiated with. It's a cool, sheltered bay and top spot for paddleboarding or picnicking.
Marie and I attempted to whip up a fancy treat of creme brulee but the oven door couldn't be closed fully with the large cake pan and ramekins atop. So our beautiful, sweet mixture was still raw after hours and all was lost; RIP creme brulee. Ah, it could've been such a special pud but it just wasn't to be. At least the chicken wraps we cooked in another team effort were EXCELLENCE. Marie's boyfriend, Adrian came to join us and we watched my first viewing of Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings. And *now* I see what all the fuss is about and why it is so universally adored. Can I please live in Hobbiton?
JUST ANOTHER WONDERFUL THING I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO -
There was a thunderstorm in my tummy as we drove to Manganui beach the following day. Marie sensed my extreme anxiety as I was largely silent in the car and during the briefing session she gave me. My nervous energy was circulating throughout my body but I tried to focus on all the important instructions.
Now putting on the wetsuit was a physical undertaking in and of itself! I moronically struggled to pull it over my swimdress and believed I was too tubby for its tight fit. Then it was time for surfing masterclass numero uno to commence. All those who know how frightfully unconfident I am in the water will realise what a massive deal this is for me.
RIDING THE WAVES -
It can't be said that I didn't give it a red hot go. I took a couple of deep, cleansing breaths, fired myself up and went for it! How I managed to land and keep my balance largely is a mystery but t'was awesome! Yes, I rode body board style and I wasn't a natural but I endeavoured to find the Kelly Slater within. I flew with the waves; fast as a cheetah.
THE OCEAN ENTICED ME BACK OVER AND OVER -
What a rush! After taking a few tumbles overboard and bashing my knees, I relaxed in the knowledge that 1) I wouldn't die 2) it wouldn't be possible to drown in the shallow depth 3) no sharks were in sight. Mainly, I balanced on my knees with ease but I did manage to stand for a few seconds. It's just a shame there is no photographic evidence of any of my Blue Crushing!
A few more tuition sessions and I'll be a beast, showing off my newfound skills. Or is that too confident? Either way, I felt like a magnific dolphin!!! I'll never share Sam Ambrose's passion for this water sport but it wasn't the traumatic ordeal I'd formed a mental picture of and I found myself having immense fun in spite of all the apprehension.
On my final day in Tauranga, Marie and I spent some quality time together after hours at Looking Glass Gardens. It officially closed at 4pm but it was not gated shut and nobody was there to stop us so we walked through and had the gardens all to ourselves. Up in Papamoa Hills, this quirky, fairytale-themed garden of significance has a sort of Secret Garden feel to it. Sweet sculptures from your child's favourite bedtime stories and nursery rhymes pop up over the 20 acres.
A PROPER GIRLY NIGHT IN -
Marie and I chilled with Whittakers chocolate and The Theory Of Everything movie. That is, after she climbed through the front window of her home thinking neither of us had the keys and that we were locked out. They had been in the car the whole time!
I didn't expect to become engrossed in this biopic of Stephen Hawking but Eddie Redmayne's extraordinary portrayal of the genius physicist was a marvel. His depiction of Stephen's motor neuron disease was both sensitive and comedic. These funny and romantic moments won me over but the marriage between him and Jane didn't last. It was too much of a hardship for Jane after a couple of decades of caring for her husband; Stephen set her free so that she could be with the true love of her life - Jonathan Jones.
Thank you so much Marie for letting me crash at yours and for the fun time we had together. I'm so appreciative of you taking a break from your busy work schedule to see me, drive me around, share your home and food and for taking me all the way to Rotorua so I wouldn't have to leave on the 7.30am bus that morning. You're a ray of sunshine xx
Parts were so steep that I began to feel ill at ease that I wouldn't be able to scale the dizzying heights of Tongariro.. The views from the summit were stunningly stupendous on a mighty fine afternoon. As I looked out down below to the bronzed beach, all that I could survey were happy and sunning.
A reward was promised unto myself in the form of a Copenhagen waffle cone with triple scoopage. Passionfruit, cookie dough and hokey pokey - the combination of which made my abdomen excessively merry. Probably my 4th round of gelato in as many days but I don't have to justify my ice cream intake to ANYBODY!!
You don't scare me seagulls and NO, you're not getting a lick of my sweetened, frozen food! A convention of these crackpots crowded round me and my cone at Pilot Bay but I was not to be negotiated with. It's a cool, sheltered bay and top spot for paddleboarding or picnicking.
Marie and I attempted to whip up a fancy treat of creme brulee but the oven door couldn't be closed fully with the large cake pan and ramekins atop. So our beautiful, sweet mixture was still raw after hours and all was lost; RIP creme brulee. Ah, it could've been such a special pud but it just wasn't to be. At least the chicken wraps we cooked in another team effort were EXCELLENCE. Marie's boyfriend, Adrian came to join us and we watched my first viewing of Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings. And *now* I see what all the fuss is about and why it is so universally adored. Can I please live in Hobbiton?
There was a thunderstorm in my tummy as we drove to Manganui beach the following day. Marie sensed my extreme anxiety as I was largely silent in the car and during the briefing session she gave me. My nervous energy was circulating throughout my body but I tried to focus on all the important instructions.
Now putting on the wetsuit was a physical undertaking in and of itself! I moronically struggled to pull it over my swimdress and believed I was too tubby for its tight fit. Then it was time for surfing masterclass numero uno to commence. All those who know how frightfully unconfident I am in the water will realise what a massive deal this is for me.
RIDING THE WAVES -
It can't be said that I didn't give it a red hot go. I took a couple of deep, cleansing breaths, fired myself up and went for it! How I managed to land and keep my balance largely is a mystery but t'was awesome! Yes, I rode body board style and I wasn't a natural but I endeavoured to find the Kelly Slater within. I flew with the waves; fast as a cheetah.
What a rush! After taking a few tumbles overboard and bashing my knees, I relaxed in the knowledge that 1) I wouldn't die 2) it wouldn't be possible to drown in the shallow depth 3) no sharks were in sight. Mainly, I balanced on my knees with ease but I did manage to stand for a few seconds. It's just a shame there is no photographic evidence of any of my Blue Crushing!
A few more tuition sessions and I'll be a beast, showing off my newfound skills. Or is that too confident? Either way, I felt like a magnific dolphin!!! I'll never share Sam Ambrose's passion for this water sport but it wasn't the traumatic ordeal I'd formed a mental picture of and I found myself having immense fun in spite of all the apprehension.
On my final day in Tauranga, Marie and I spent some quality time together after hours at Looking Glass Gardens. It officially closed at 4pm but it was not gated shut and nobody was there to stop us so we walked through and had the gardens all to ourselves. Up in Papamoa Hills, this quirky, fairytale-themed garden of significance has a sort of Secret Garden feel to it. Sweet sculptures from your child's favourite bedtime stories and nursery rhymes pop up over the 20 acres.
Marie and I chilled with Whittakers chocolate and The Theory Of Everything movie. That is, after she climbed through the front window of her home thinking neither of us had the keys and that we were locked out. They had been in the car the whole time!
I didn't expect to become engrossed in this biopic of Stephen Hawking but Eddie Redmayne's extraordinary portrayal of the genius physicist was a marvel. His depiction of Stephen's motor neuron disease was both sensitive and comedic. These funny and romantic moments won me over but the marriage between him and Jane didn't last. It was too much of a hardship for Jane after a couple of decades of caring for her husband; Stephen set her free so that she could be with the true love of her life - Jonathan Jones.
Thank you so much Marie for letting me crash at yours and for the fun time we had together. I'm so appreciative of you taking a break from your busy work schedule to see me, drive me around, share your home and food and for taking me all the way to Rotorua so I wouldn't have to leave on the 7.30am bus that morning. You're a ray of sunshine xx
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