The end of a bloody good year!
Trip Start
Feb 17, 2005
1
104
123
Trip End
Feb 27, 2006
Loading Map
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
Where I stayed
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Sunday, January 1, 2006
I returned to the hostel at 11am to get settled, and surprise surprise, it was a lovely little place. I loved the fact that each bed had its own curtains to offer a bit of privacy, as well as a reading lamp. These little touches make all the difference.
I spent the afternoon at the beach, getting up to date with my journal. I hope you readers appreciate all the effort that goes into this here journal! I'm really pleased that I've kept a detailed account of my travels, but I'll be glad of the day when I don't have to worry about it anymore.
After waiting for 40 minutes for my chicken nuggets and chips that evening, I went and sat underneath a tree to eat them, looking out to sea and being surrounded by some hungry seagulls...a relaxing end to a relaxing day.
My brief jaunt around the Coromandel had been nice, and I'd been lucky with the weather, but I was looking forward to going back to The Mount for one last time...
The next morning, the bus picked me up at 8.15am, and we set off on the windy journey to my second home, arriving at Pacific Coast Lodge at 11.30am. I fitted straight back in, as a lot of the same people were still there from the Christmas period. It's always nice knowing people when you arrive somewhere, as you feel less like an outsider. I was especially pleased to see Kazu sitting outside with his friend, and Murray had put me in the same dorm as hime. So, after going to the supermarket with Dan and Yusuke, I joined him and we chatted for a while. I ribbed him about his Kiwi girlfriend of course, and when Shinya came round a bit later, we reminisced about our kiwifruit days.
As everyone dispersed to go surfing, I was joined outside by Steff, a German girl who'd been in New Zealand for nearly a year. Well, we ended up talking for over 2 hours, mostly about travelling, and I found her to be great company. She was staying at The Mount for 3 nights, the same as me, so I hoped to spend more time with her before I went to Auckland.
I sat in the kitchen that evening, sharing a few beers with the Japanese crowd, including Kazu, Shinya, Yusuke and Erika. It was good fun, but they eventually left to go to one of their friend's parties, so I joined Steff and planned to go to The Mellick with the BUNACers. Unfortunately, by the time Murray closed the kitchen at 10pm, I was a bit tipsy and so I'm not sure exactly what happened next. I remember the BUNACers going into town whilst I waited for Steff, who had gone upstairs to get something. Twenty minutes later, she'd still not appeared, so I went and knocked on her door. No sign. It was only the next day that I realised what had happened. She'd come downstairs whilst I was in the toilet, presumed I'd scarpered, and therefore headed off herself! I was a bit disappointed at that. Regardless, I made my own way to The Mellick at 11pm and had a beer with the BUNACers, but I'd made my mind up...I didn't want to be in a rowdy pub as the year came to an end. I wanted to be at the beach, so that's where I went, and sat in peace and quiet underneath the stars with the sound of the waves in the distance. It may sound strange, but it's what I wanted to do, and I reflected on what a great year 2005 had turned out to be. I also thought about what I wanted to achieve in 2006, and I'm determined to make things happen...
A surprisingly impressive fireworks display lit up the sky just after midnight, so I waited until they'd finished before eventually wandering back to the hostel at 1am. I watched TV with a couple of Japanese girls and Dan, my table tennis partner. I got on well with him, but he was a little strange at times, refusing to go out at all on New Years Eve. I guess he just doesn't like being told when to have a good time, and I must admit I don't usually hold much enthusiasm for this day of the year either.
However, all had turned out well, and I had no regrets about the evening (apart from the fact that I didn't tell Steff that I was going to wait for her!). It was especially pleasing to think that I'd only spent $10 that night, whereas I could quite easily have spent $75 had I gone out for a big one, and chances are I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much anyway.
No, I was feeling good as we entered the New Year, and if 2006 is only half as good as 2005, then I'll be a very happy man...
