Day 110 Kayaking

25th January 2009

Kayaking around the Bay of Islands

Day 110

So I splashed out today on hiring a kayak. At first, I got to the kayak place and decided I couldn't afford the $20 for the hire so opted out. Then the manager guy overheard me and offered it to me for $10. So I did.

There was me, Joanna (from Sweden), Christina and Louisa (Denmark) and we decided to kayak out to one of the small islands that apparently had a secret beach at the back of it that no one could see from the mainland.

We were paddling against the tide and within 5 minutes I regretted coming out at all as it was so tiring. Quietly muttering expletives about how I hate exercise and how kayaking is the worst thing in the world, my bum was wet, my back hurt and I was behind everyone else.

We got to the back of the island and to the beach and sat chatting for about an hour. It was so cool. I quickly forgot about my hatred for kayaking. The sand was so colourful and made up of bits or multi-coloured cracked shell. I've never seen anything like it.

On my way back to the mainland in my kayak, the journey was much better. We took our time going back and floated easily to the shore. It was so nice and now I love kayaking!

Oh and I was chilling writing in my diary at night by the beach and this drunk kid sat down next to me and started chatting rubbish. Then his 3 friends turned up and they pretended all to be 18 years old. One of the lads shouted out at a girl 'hey girls my name is Spencer but you can call me tonight'. What a line.

Day 109 Paihia

24th January 2009

Paihia, the Bay of Islands

Day 109

1st day of my Kiwi Experience coach tour of NZ. Am up north now in the Bay of Islands at a place called Paihia. It's well impressive! The views from the beach are fantastic, not just the ocean but all the little islands dotted about. Everyone I met on the bus are all doing activities up here (dolphin watching, boat tours, even skydiving!). Not me though.

Going to a BBQ tonight with everyone so that should be fun!