Back one last time to Paihia
Trip Start
Sep 06, 2004
1
69
70
Trip End
May 22, 2005
Paihia, New Zealand
Thursday, May 5, 2005
One of the places I stopped at were the public toilets at Kawakawa, now this might seem a little pervy, but I can safely say that these bogs are known world wide and are even in the travel books.
Internationally renowned Austrian architect Friedrich Hundertwadsser designed them. These toilets have been declared a living treasure in New Zealand.
As you can see from the pictures they are pretty amazing, unfortunately they still smell like public toilets.
The drive up from Auckland was great I had lovely weather, I arrived at Steph's in the afternoon, and she was kindly leading me her sofa for the next two nights.
We had a lot to catch up on, mainly that the garden center had closed, business never really picked up and they were running at a loss. Steph was now working at the local spa as a beautician and was really enjoying herself.
She also had a part time job in the fisherman's club, so we went to the beach house for some dinner then headed up to the Swordfish club, Steph was working until 9ish.
After she finished worked we hit the town. It was a really good night.
The next day we went into Kerikeri to pick up some oranges and get some breakfast Steph was working that afternoon, so I went for a poodle around town and said my good-byes.
In all my time in Paihia I had never done any of the tourist trips, so I was determined to do one while I was here. I chose the Culture North Treaty of Waitangi night show and I'm glad I did.
The show started at 7.30pm and I drove up there, the place looked shut up and I had left the leaflet back at Steph's. I phoned her to check if I had the right place, yes I did. So I drove round again and saw a lady standing at the side of the road, I asked her if this was the place, it was they were just waiting for the bus to turn up.
A really nice man who explained what would happen greeted us. Three men were chosen to be our chief's and except the offering from the Maori greeting party.
It really was amazing when the greeting party came out to met us and one by one the offerings were excepted and we were allowed into the Marae (meeting house)
The show covers the story of the arrival of Kupe, the first Maori chief to discover New Zealand, Aotearoa (the land of the long white cloud) through to the present day.
I really enjoyed the evening and at last I had seen the beautiful and graceful dancing and singing skills of the Maori culture.
The show lasted about two hours and then I headed back to Steph's.
I left the next morning; this really was goodbye this time. It's getting harder and harder to do.
I will really Miss Paihia I have spent most o my time there while I have been in New Zealand and it's a really wonderful place.
