Off to Awaroa
Trip Start
Dec 10, 2006
1
42
110
Trip End
Dec 09, 2007
Awaroa, New Zealand
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
honey-wine and schnaps maker in Takaka. It's about an hour's drive to
the Awaroa carpark. From there, at low tide, you can hike to the lodge
in about thirty minutes, but what we need is a high tide crossing
because the barge is supposed to get groceries and laundry to Awaroa.
Stingrays lazily drift aside and it's a fine fine day... hope it
doesn't rain while I'm in Awaroa, contrary to many a prediction I've
heard!
The Lodge I'vealready seen on my first trip with Kevin
and Claudia. It's a four-star hotel and restaurant and that's why they
need landscapers right now: Qualmark, who distribute those fancy stars,
will come through on the 23rd and will then decide if the stars will
remain with the Lodge. Hence, there is plenty of furious clipping and
tidying up and other fun activities for me. No work on day one because
it's almost three by the time I've put my stuff in my house (I
really have a whole house to myself !) and seen staff quarters and
kitchens, and so I head to the beach for some sun. The bay is so very
beautiful and must be inviting enough for dolphins, so I keep an eye
out but don't get lucky. There's been one of many weddings (staff
despise them because of the enormous workload preparing and cleaning up
afterwards, figures) and a beach-side wedding reception has been set
up.
5.30 is dinner time and it is every bit as sumptuous
(Lothar, my wwoofing coordinator, has warned me to be on time because
food disappears fast) as Hannes described it when he got back. He's the
one who tipped me off about wwoofing openings in the first place. He
was going to do the Abel Tasman, carrying a huge backpack and all,
hitched a ride with Kevin and got stuck at his very first stop right
there in Awaroa. And for a whole four days.
