Camping at Motutapu

I woke up late and didn't have my poop in a group. I had to shove everything I needed into a backpack for the day/night in a half an hour. I was definitely scrambling around to get stuff together when I should have been taking it easy and getting ready with plenty of time to "scramble" some eggs! Oh well. We made it on the 9:15am ferry and realized there was going to be another one later...we didn't think there was so that's why we got up so early. It was going to be a LONG day. We got to the beach and settled down. I contemplated whether or not I wanted to head back at 4:30pm on the last ferry because all I had were nuts and pretzels and I was getting nervous about classes starting Monday. I ended up staying which was a good choice.

We ended up hiking to the other side of the island. We stopped and looked at old World War I bunkers which was awesome. I love history. So crazy. "Scottie" also known as Blaire (he's from Scotland) had a sakata on his shoulder. I was like why does that bug sound like it's sooo close. Sure enough it was because it was just chillin there. I thought those things were invisible cause you always hear them, but you never see them!

You never know what you're going to smell when you're traveling. Sometimes I smell flowers or mint. That is how I want to remember New Zealand. I have to admit though...sometimes it doesn't smell pretty. Even New Zealand has cows. Yeah...I'm talkin about cow dung. Mmm... :) It's pretty sweet though that the only wild animals they have are cows, sheep, and horses. The island that we stayed at was preditor free. Except cats or something? I don't know. It was creepy cause when we got there this dude was like...you guys probably know the drill, but get inside this shed and close it and follow the directions. Get inside a shed? Hmm...kinda "dodgy" if you ask me. We had just talked about how someone had gone to another country and they were locked in a room and the guy wouldn't let them out even though they were dying of heat. Literally. He died. Sad story. We were kind of weirded out by this, but it was just to make sure we didn't have any "stowaways." Such as mice, or other animals in our bags. I'm pretty sure that was more so for the people that had been traveling for awhile already, but we went in the shed and just stood there until we thought it had been long enough. I was pretty sure I didn't pack a rat in my bag, but I dunno...I WAS in a rush that morning ;)


When we went back to the campsite Robbie had already tested out his stove he made. He made it out of a beer can, had fuel, and a copper coin in it. It was amazing. We weren't allowed to have open fire or whatever so he created his own concauction. He made lamb and rice, and Mike made some ramen noodles. I was so jealous. Here I was sitting with my nuts and pretzels and he whips out a gourmet meal. Typical. I was so excstatic though that Rebecca gave me one of her apples. I didn't have one that day and if you know me....you know I don't go a DAY without them. It made my night.

Our tent consisteted of a tarp on the ground and a tarp hanging between two trees. It worked for us I guess! We were really roughin it ;) All I had for covers was a sheet, fleece blanket, pillow and a towel. I was a little chillin that night. Apparently Mallory was perfect and she just had a fleece. Between Robbie having a sleeping bag and me warming her with my bum I guess she was warm as can be. Turd muffin. Oh well.

That night was so fun. Just gazing at the stars, jokin, and getting tired so everything was funny and worth laughing at. Love those times.

The morning. So we wake up at the crack of dawn. El baile de perrito comes out again. (joke from last night) and a ranger comes by and says there is a tsunami warning and to get to higher ground. Apparently an earthquake hit in Chile. Where I come from we just worry about floods, and snow storms. This was new to me. We were kinda freaked, but also excited at the same time. The ferry wasn't running though so we were kind of frustrated. After all, we DO have school on Monday! Luckily we had a ranger take us to Rangitoto and we got on the 12:45pm ferry. We couldn't have been more thrilled! We got back to Auckland and ate mexican food and then headed home and passed out. I was one tired cookie!


What a weekend!




I ended up getting off the trail a little bit and walking on all the big rocks by the shore in my flip flops. Smart. Wear flip flops when you go hiking, really? Yeah...I woke up late okay! Couldn't bring everything I needed. Along the way I saw snails, sardines, a starfish, and crabs. Nature is so funny.