October 29th, Oponino to Kaitaia, and A Quarter Century

As noted before, we got an early start out of Oponino. In an effort to escape the tourist lanes, we took the road to Rawene where there is a short 15 minute ferry across the harbor. It’s one of those landing craft types like the inter-island ferry in the San Juans.

We stopped at a nice (finally) little café for breakfast. Great coffee. We were headed for Kaitaia which is the “gateway” to the Te Aupouri peninsula which terminates at Cape Reinga, and the northernmost point in NZ that they will allow you to go. North Cape is actually a couple kms farther north, but you can’t get there except by foot.

On the way we took a little detour at Herekeno. There were roads on the map that just dead end at a bay somewhere so we decided to take a couple. These narrow gravel roads wound all through the countryside. Every so often there would be a building, house, barn etc., but no people. It was like one of those movies where the population of the Earth has been destroyed and you’re the only one left. There were a couple old churches.

We got into Kaitaia and got set up, and caught up on electronic chores.

A Quarter Century

Well, it just so happens that today is our 25^th “Anniversary”. Since we were together for 10 years before we were married, instead of celebrating the day when Cynthia got half of my stuff, we recognize the date of our first date. And this year’s celebration consisted of going to KFC, which is the safest looking place to eat here. Turns out appearances aren’t everything. 

Later on (evening-ish), Cynthia decided she’d walk to the grocery store for some milk. A short while later I look out the window and notice it’s pouring rain outside. I’m just picking up the car keys to go find her when she opens the door. She’s soaking wet, in tears, and says “I’ve just been egged”. Happy Anniversary. On the bright side, I remembered that it really isn’t the 29th yet at home, so we got a do-over. This time it was Chinese take-out. The next morning I’m in agony and can’t get very far from the toilet. 

We met and had dinner with a couple from the UK that immigrated here 6 years ago (they’re trying to find a way out). We told them about the Chinese disaster. “Are you sure it wasn’t the KFC? They’re pretty well known for that”. 

Our plan from here is to go all the way up to Cape Reinga and camp for a few days. Their comment was “We don’t want to put you off, but a lot of people’s cars get “knicked” up there”. I am assuming “knicked” is British for stolen. They also were kind enough to tell us about the recent rape/murder of two Danish tourists at the hands of two Maoris. When I told them about our little side trip to Herekeno they were surprised we made it back. I’m starting to rethink the camping idea. We’ve already decided that we can’t do any overnight hikes because all of our stuff will be gone when we get back. Anyway, we’re now heading off to the Cape. If you don’t hear from us again, at least they’ll know where to start the search.

Total trip cost to date: $12,058.07 USD