The weather was surprisingly STUNNING (the heavens were being incredibly nice to all of us) and we enjoyed ever moment of it.
It was a 12pm -
The bus we had to catch was just opposite the ferry building and must I say (not a promotional speech) but Naked Bus is honestly such a safe, clean and cheaper option to travel around the north island if you don't have the accessibility of a car to drive in.
Anyways, it looked like a promising day and me and Karina had bought sushi to eat on the ride.
The ride there took longer than usual because there happened to be a huge car accident along the motorway heading down to Hamilton. We slowly motored passed the scene of the accident but I only caught a glimpse of an Indian lady and her (approx) 2 year old child wrapped around her arms sitting on the grass with what seemed like her husband and two sons standing over her. Tragic as most would have described it as the scene appeared straight out of a Auckland Transport Safety ad.
Moving on.
- And three hours later...
The sun was pouring in through the darkly tinted windows and just as the leather interior was starting to get hot the driver announced we had reached Waihi and that we were not far off Waihi Beach. The old church that stood outside reminded me of a previous Summer trip I took at the end of year 13.
It was pretty close from the location we got dropped off. Tugging our luggage all the way to Beachhaven Motel (again, not a promotional speech) but I DEFINITELY recommend that place to ANYONE that wants to go Waihi. It has the BEST location, cheap (depending on which site you stay, motel, motor site, units or backpackers which we stayed at) and also the maintenance of that place is incredible. They clean every inch of that place almost TWICE A DAY.
Okay I'm getting carried away with MY CAPS. But you get what I mean...
I was satisfied.
We checked in and I changed out of my dress into comfortable short shorts and a singlet and headed out into town which was only around a 10 minute walk. Went into a pharmacy and bought hay fever pills that cost $20 to cure my uncontrollable sniffing and sneezing which I was stupid enough to buy because it only took effect after two days and we were only there for 2 and a half days...
We bought some nice strawberries on the way from these french sounding ladies and walked into this place in town called 'Cactus Jacks'.
It was locally owned and a family business that had been running for quite some time.
Excuse my slang but.. WTF.
It was an okay burger but the wedges tasted like the heavens !
(I really have a temptation to say 'Ahh McCain, You've done it again' )
But it was so crisp and golden outside, and soft and moist inside.
We found a huge Foursquare (Haven't visited one since I was young) and bought a few snacks and ingredients to cover for the next few days since eating out was a tad bit more expensive in this area...
Heading back we stumbled along a short cut through a huge field that stretched out beyond the horizon. We were a bit reluctant to walk through as we just saw this huge guy who almost looked like he lived in the fields walk out of the fields and told us where it lead and to have a nice day.
Hearing about the recent murderer that no one could find at Waihi Beach we were hesitant whether to trust a man that had a torn singlet, shoes that were two sizes too small, and a plumbers ass crack but went in anyway because it seemed like a short cut and the meadows there appealed to us as a nice photographic pit stop.
It wasn't too dark and we could smell home cooked meals from our cabins and all throughout the holiday park as all the families gathered at the Epi-center of the park.
The kitchen was filled with the feeling of home. Mothers trying to get their children to settle down whilst the fathers were on the Barbie grilling steaks and sausies. While everything smelt good we were happily stuck with Mee Goreng as we cooked our 2 minute noodles in a bowl (: (typical asians).
We bunked with 4 guys from Christchurch who were up here for the Example concert at the Waihi Beach Hotel Summer Fest, and 2 ladies that seemed like they were just here for a relaxing summer vacation. The 4 guys greeted us every time we went back to the cabin and asked us to play cards and drink however we were both too tired from the trip here we fell asleep within a few minutes regardless of the loud grunts and burps coming from the other corner of the room.
-The next morning
We woke up to the sound of children wailing outside our cabin door as the door had been kept ajar from the previous night. The skies were perfectly painted blue as if welcoming us to Waihi with open arms. We packed for the beach in hopes for a good tan and a dip in the whip-lashing ocean that was famous for its waves.What more better than lying in the sand over looking clear blue skies and the sea that seemed endless.
And how could I forget...The surfer guys.
Incredibly tanned and toned to perfection. Hahahaha. A girl can only dream.
Burning our faces off we decided we were getting dizzy from the heat stroke that came upon us that day and walked back to our cabin to wash off and get dressed for town to collect our tickets for Opshop/Feelers/Avalanche City !
In town we came across this little 'Secret Garden Cafe' that was hidden in a shop that sold hand crafted items as well as serene feeling pieces that seemed like it would fit in a travel-junkies home.
Nevertheless, inside it did not disappoint and every inch of that place was well decorated. Definitely became one of our highlights of our trip.
-6:30pm
We arrived at Waihi Beach Hotel and was stopped cause they thought that I worked for a media company because of my DSLR. I guess they didn't even take my age into consideration but I figured it was a routine check.
They also included a violinist and she was superb!
Oh Shannen, do you never bring any back up batteries?
Sadly I wasn't that prepared.
But I guess now days we have the technologically advanced sophisticated phones that have little cameras manufactured in them with 8mp's. Or at least Karina had hers on her. ( I remember the days that when 8mp cameras came out everyone was raving about the sharpness of the images).
The Feelers
Opshop
Nevertheless this festival was pretty successful and enjoyed it very much! The energy of the crowds was infectious all the way to the walk home in the dark.
We were lucky we were accompanied by other strangers who were walking our way. I suppose two girls walking alone in the night with drunk people on the loose seemed a little dangerous. With the murderer on the loose and all...
Just a little
Okay it really wasn't that bad. This blog probably gives off the impression that we were scared out of our pants about this guy and were on full alert 24/7 but really, everyone was minding their own business like it never happened. Apart from a few holiday-stayers and the 2 girls in our cabin that is.
It really wasn't that bad.
Anywho, night over, it was fun.
-The Last Day
We woke up at 8:30am in order to make our breakfast and pack our dinner for the busride home. We made toast dipped in chicken soup and prepared 2 minute noodles again with chicken nuggets and egg piled on top.
...Why so asian!
We checked out and had to think of something to do till 3pm whilst lugging our luggage around.
Ended up at this beach side cafe whom we met Jason from Opshop ! What are the chances??
We also saw a few people we met the night before at the festival having their last morning breakfast at Waihi Beach before they too headed back up to Auckland.
This so doesn't look like a stalker photo... haha...
It was a sweet sweet summer get away and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Definitely going to come back and this time, BRING THE JAPANESE GIRL WITH US.
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