By the numbers
10,556 steps
7.32kms
2 bus’
1 ferry
The day started off blowy and there was a slight chill in
the air that I was willing to ignore and could do so for most of the day. The
night before I had spent a bit long doing my blog as I was distracted by the TV
and the shows like Supernatural. You could be mistaken that it was far from
being anywhere near summer. I made sure I was at the bus stop ahead of time and
my fitbit said the distance was only 400 metres from the motel I was staying
at. That never bothered me and I was happy to finally get the bus down to
Auckland, although I had to wait in Kerikeri for the next one. I had to throw
my own bag onto the trailer of the mini bus and we did the same course as we
did several days before. They loaded the bags onto the other bus if you were
going further and we had to wait for the bus to return. I was happy to do that
and needed to use the loo anyway. The brain niggled me once the main bus
arrived that my bag was still on the other bus having been missed even though I
knew better.
Since I had not taken the bus from Kerikeri before the trip
just seemed to take longer and I wanted to get off. By the time we got to
Whangarei, the bus was full. Everyone was wanting to head down to Auckland.
Using the wifi I managed to get myself an app that could scan archive documents
and turn them into a file. I will learn how to do this and then give it a try.
Hopefully it doesn’t kill the battery. Once we reached Auckland I learnt my bag
was indeed under the bus. My next step in the journey was to head down to the
ferry building so I could get the boat to Waiheke. As I was not worried, I
walked from the Sky Tower all the way down Hobson Street to the ferry terminal.
Along the way I passed other travellers who were going up the hill or seemed to
be lost. I found the Auckland Tepid baths that I had seen on a list somewhere
of places to visit or where soldiers in WW1 had gone. I had ended up right next
to the maritime museum and still had to walk a little bit. The lady at the
counter where I got my ticket told me the ferry was just boarding and if I was
quick, I could get it since it was late. Waddling to the ferry line up, I
managed to get onto the boat with heaps of time. It had taken at least 15 to 20
mins to walk there and I had not expected to get the 3pm service.
I sat on the back of the ferry and finally succumbed to the
need to wear a jumper. I had read that you have little time after getting off
the ferry to get a bus. I had asked a taxi to take me to where I was staying as
I asked how busy it would be and they told me to get the bus and walk from the
stop. I wasn’t really wanting to do that, but I would. The bus was at least 10
mins away when I got off the ferry, but I was happy for that and then there
were the kids getting into trouble for annoying others on the first bus that
had arrived. Once I got onto the bus and the others were loaded on, one kid got
told off for pushing and told to get some manners. The kid was grumbling about
getting told off and I just thought it was funny. Apparently its $3 to any
location on the island. I kept my eyes peeled for the stop that I thought I
needed and I was right. Thinking I might get lost, I turned my data on so I
could follow the little dot. Whenever I had a look to make sure the dot had to
run to keep up. I did turn the data off, but it was useful. I found the accommodation
where I was staying and I was unsure as it looked a bit oldish, but all I am
after is a bed and internet. Once I got hold of the owner he showed me to my
room. There is only one shower and loo to service whoever was here. I was
suggested that its easier to walk into town via the beach.
I was wanting to walk up several tracks, but realised I
needed food more and that it would be dark soon. Dark isn’t good for me since I
don’t have a decent torch. I wandered along the beach just down the road from
where I am and the beach was actually part of a local trail. I went to the
other side of the beach and onto the rod where I went another street up before
finding food places. I don’t want to get caught out with nothing and I did see
some of the shops along with a postal store so I will have that in mind. I
found the museum is actually shut while I am here so I might look at a tour
instead. At least I got a little bit of the lay of the land even if I was a
little lost. The island is full of birdsongs and other animals like a rabbit I
seen earlier.
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