Campertastic

So today we picked up the camper and were left waiting for what seemed like an age before it finally appeared. After a brief introduction into the bits and bobs on board and a topped up fuel tank (I'm getting good at moaning), we were on our way.

Our first stop was Pahia on the Bay of Islands. Not a friendly place to be honest, boy racers in Skylines charging up and down the promenade and some shifty looking kids looking in car windows. After some cursing that the cooker wouldn't work (Turns out the fuel tank wasn't the only thing left empty. The Gas bottles were too!), we headed into town for a pizza, stayed the night in an RV park and made an early getaway in the morning for a stroll and lunch in a native forest north of Puketona.

We pulled up at Ngawha Mineral Springs at about 2pm. I'm not sure what I was expecting from the description but it was a lot more civilised that a few bubbling little ponds. We walked up to reception and were greeted by a really friendly Englishman, who explained he'd come here on holiday and stayed.

The 'springs' consisted of about 7 wooden sided shallow dipping pools. The eggy smelling gasses, which bubble up through the earth's crust heat the water in these pools and the temperature varies from 20-40°c. It's pleasant experience but the smell lingers and the swimming trunks and bikini hung up to dry in our camper have made it smell of eggs ever since.

From Ngawha, we took the scenic route to Dargaville. I believe this stretch is only 150km but it took us over 4 hours through the mountains. The weather was very windy and a times a bit rainy but it was TOTALLY worth it for the views we got. I've forgotten to bring the camera so I'll have to upload the pictures another time.

We got to Dargaville (aka Ghosttown) at about 8:30 and pitched up a another RV park before heading back towards Auckland the next day.

Darren and Lou x