Okay...last leg of the trip via our white Toyota Rav 4 chariot. Bikes were crammed in the back of the vehicle with the rest of the gear. Loved the right hand driving. Made things a bit more interesting. The car thing threw us for a loop...just when you think you've got the system & routine down - nope! It's just another distraction. You have to make decisions about radio stations, who's going to drive, directions, maps, etc. It adds a new element to traveling and your relationship. Thank heavens we were only going to be in the white chariot for a few days.
After a major shopping spree at the Ice Breaker outlet outside of Wellington we drove for 5 hours NE to Hawkes Bay. Unfortunately we were only there overnight otherwise we would've called up the many wonderful people we met from Hastings & Napier. It would've been great to catch up and say our final goodbyes. We bolted out of the area early in the AM to drive up to Hamilton to have dinner with Paul's first cousins, Eric, Liz, & Anneriek. Paul's dad has two brothers, Peter and Gjalt. This was the first time cousins from each brother got together. It was a night spent telling stories about fathers and piecing together bits of lost history.
Thanks so much Anneriek, Bart, Emma, & Ben! We really enjoyed our visit and hope that we can make plans in the future to visit again.
After two days in Hamilton Paul and I started our travels north to Auckland. This would be our last chance to say good bye and pass on our many thanks to Lex & Christina for allowing us to take over their house over the past 3 months. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and flexibility. The Friday before our departure would be spent packing bikes, organizing gear, and making dinner for the de Jong family. It was great catching up and comparing stories with Lex & Christina. Hope your war wounds with the Rav 4 pay off, Lex. Did you get your new bike yet?
From left to right: Andre, Niko, Wilhem, Mieke, Christina, & Lex.
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