So, I’m not in Auckland any more, I’ve ventured down to the Bay of Plenty, I plan to get work here in the next few days.

I’ve been staying in an Airbnb the last few days on Papamoa Beach,

It’s a lovely cabin at the bottom of Nev and Debs garden, with a really cool set up; inside the cabin there is a very comfortable queen sized bed, TV, desk and chair, shelves and hanging space for clothes, a toilet and sink, a radiator and a very comfy chair.

Leaving the cabin and walking to the left over the paved stepping-stones to the covered patio area, almost seems as that’s all there is, but behind, hidden from view, behind the dining area, there’s a corrugated metal shed, inside of which is pretty much a full kitchen with all the amenities you could need.

To the left of this, a few meters away is an outdoor shower, now before you turn up your nose at this, it is actually very nice, the hot water pretty much cycles through straight away, the water pressure is pretty decent and once your inside it gets pretty warm, such a nice and different twist. There is also a strong connection to WIFI.

What did i spend my few days doing?

On my arrival I unpacked what I needed and set out to have a look around, I crossed the road, clambered over the dunes and looked out at the sea, I walked for about 15 minutes down the beach taking everything in, until I crossed back over the dunes and went into Papamoa Plaza for some shopping and something to eat.

It was raining on Sunday so I decided to wait for it to calm down before I left. Nev and Debs house is literally over the road from the beach. I started walking down the beach, it was so peaceful and the sounds of the waves are extremely relaxing, Its really good to relax and think. I walked for just under 1½ hours, it started to rain halfway for around 10-15 minute and then stopped and the sun came back out. When I had walked as far as I could, I left the beach and went to look around the Bayfair shopping mall, had an early tea and got the bus back to Papamoa Beach.

I asked Nev if he knew a good place in which I could hire a bike, he then offered me his, to borrow, how accommodating is that? I took him up on his offer, He also lent me a lock and a helmet (not something I’d usually wear but it’ll make my mum happy). On Monday I used the bike and cycled from Papamoa Beach to Mount Maunganui. I locked up the Bike and begin my ascent to the summit of the extinct volcano. Some parts of the track were pretty steep and rather strenuous to walk up. The sun was beating down, I refrained from stopping and resting on the many benches littered among the track as I knew I wouldn’t be able to get up and get going again after a break. When I made it to the top I was exhausted, I sat at the top for around 10 minutes before taking some shots of the beautiful views. I spent the rest of the day climbing up and down around the rocks on Moturiki Island.

Check out was at 10:00am on Tuesday, I had a lie-in in the morning, showered and then packed up my gear and checked out, I’m pretty sure I will come back and stay here when I need to wind down after a few months in a hostel. Im now staying in Mount Maunganui and hoping to get a job soon.