... to the Bright Side of the Road

Didn't have much to type here the past couple of days because of the stupid cold lingering around the dorms, but I did make it through another Tuesday-Wednesday adventure with my friend Dan and the Van (veronica). This time I just let him make all the calls and plan it all out. I honestly don't care where I go, as long as I get out of this small town and explore somewhere new! This time we ended up driving north to Karangahake gorge, just past Te Aroaha. This place has loads of hiking trails, waterfalls, streams, and tunnels to adventure through and around. We parked the van and took the long 2.5 hr hike (one way) from Karangahake to Waihi. The trail guide pointed out various falls along the way which sounded pretty awesome, but after 2 hours of trekking, and NO falls, we were getting quite worried. The trail ended at a quaint little CAFE (caf) and miniature train station, where we devoured our saran wrapped sandwiches. After having a peek in the cute little place, we agreed to a coffee/cappicino next to the fire. Once we warmed up by the toasty fire place, we began our disappointed walk back, this time paying more attention to the trail signs. What would you know?, about mid-way back, we heard some rough water coming from up the hill. Jackpot...WATERFALL!!! I have to say, this was one of my favorites! So revitalizing. Okay sorry, I sound corny once again, but you really have to be standing next to me and gaze at these massive natural wonders! They just continually flow along, night and day, winter and summer, regardless of the changing world. Our eyes must have been wandering somewhere else on the way out to Waihi, because we also bumped into another trail on the way back that took us to another cool-as waterfall! After our hike, we drove back to Te Aroaha, to find a local market and grab some supplies for dinner later! Te Aroaha is a small little town, similar to many of the ones I have come across in my travels here, however they are marked by one very important trademark: L&P! Lemon and Paeroa is a fizzy (soda), World Famous in New Zealand, that started from some local blokes in the old days who made the genius decision to mix lemon and a little sparkling magic from an underground spring in Paoroa together in a glass! Right in the corner of towns square they have a giant L&P bottle standing about 30 feet high! Of COURSE we took pictures in front of it. Most likely the 80 billionth tourist to do so, but who cares! haha. We agreed on a pasta base for our meal because it was easy and we already had the noodles. So we stopped in the Four Square (market), picked up some tomato sauce, fresh bread, pepper, and onion. Then we skipped across the street to the local butchery to grab some fresh chicken to go along with it! We drove around for a bit, back through Te Aroha, and then made our way to Dickey's Flatt where we parked up for the night. Dinner was Amazing! Well pretty much anything is when you are free from the dining hall on campus! I'm serious. The next morning we packed up the van, and started on our way back home in the rain. Instead of heading back the way we came, we decided it might be interesting to loop down and around the coast bordering the Tauranga Harbour. We followed Rt. 2 and then jumped back on the familiar Hwy 29 West. I was also able to find two more Falls on the way home (Omanawa and I can't remember the name of the other at the moment), but they were also really cool and unique! I was exhausted and nearly fell asleep on the ride back to Hamilton, but had to pull myself together for my exercise/fitness tutorial at 4pm. Class was alright, but the climax of today was the SELF-SERVE dessert bar at dinner! Endless supplies of eskimo pie, ice cream, pudding, sprinkles, apple crumble, and lollies (candy) or every color and form! I'm sitting here at 12pm and I'm still full from my two bowl-fuls! haha Anyways I better get to bed, If I want to be able to function tomorrow! I have to meet with the Accommodation lady about some issues and with my presentation group after my 11am class. Good night world !