Great Eastern Journey, Fri, 01 Mar 2013 | written by Simon
Simon at a City in Australia & Oceania, New Zealand

Today stated off slow – I went to see the downtown with the goth guy whose name I don’t remember anymore. To be honest, I`m not terribly impressed with this part of the city. Lots of boring big buildings with no character, quite messy, rather busy, and generally just not particularly interesting. On the plus side, there are many interesting shops, I found one of the best record shops I’ve ever seen. The only really worthwhile experience was going up the sky tower – 220 metres up and a glass floor. Fantastic views and a good chance to test one’s nerves.
Then I had to spend some time using the internet in the library to sort out the details of my incoming journey. And then, as I caught a bus towards the car rental agents, I started feeling that I`m alone now. And nervous. What if I got the address of the car rental wrong? What if I sat on the wrong bus? What if I won’t manage with this traveling alone? And this is just the beginning! I know that must sound rather silly to serious travelers, what’s to be scared of, especially in a country like New Zealand? But for me this is something new and quite big.
I got the car and as I was driving away from Auckland, struck in a horrible traffic jam, the thoughts just wouldn’t go away. Maybe that was a stupid idea from the very start? But no, it’s not. The fact that I’m scared only provides that this is what I wanted it to be: pushing myself, doing something more than what I normally would. A challenge. Bring it on!
These thoughts in mind, I picked up a hitchhiker and spent a night in his house.

Anton is a cake maker, he had a date in Hamilton and it went so well he missed his last bus. Once he heard that I’m planning to sleep in my car he offered me to stay at his place, which is on the way to Waitomo Caves where I’m going. He even called a couple of his friends to ask if they’ve got a mattress for me, because his sofa is a bit small. He looked trustworthy, so I thought – what the hell, lets do it! And? Although I kept having second thoughts and all the worst scenarios went through my mind, it was fantastic. Not only did I get a comfy mattress instead on the back seat in the car, but I got offered a smoke, some nibbles and in the morning I got a fantastic breakfast that will last me easily until late afternoon. Meanwhile it looks like Anton is on the right takes as well – his date invited him overnight tonight!

Now I`m of to the caves, sending this message from a McDonald’s on the way. Moral of the day: Kiwis are great people, and trusting strangers rocks and makes me a bit less afraid.