Day 143: Waitangi Forest

Highlight:

We arrived in Kerikeri and from a distance admired the Stone Stone. Trent gave Hoke Heke Backpackers a call. They were full for the night, and recommended Woodlands. It was on the closer side of town, and one of the cheaper options. We vered of the Wapekakoura River trail and followed the footpath towards our lodging. We arrived a mere 10 minutes before closing, but we friendly welcomed in and hooked up with a washing machine! (After purchasing a token at yesterday backpackers, however we were unsucessful in washing due to not aligning with the hours of use for such equitment.) Clean clothes, a warm shower, and a new trail first Pizza delivered.

Challenge:

A couple of onstruction workers pointed us towards a path, however the gpx line on the map said otherwise. We continued down the road, only to face our expected way of travel to look like this. Maybe it will open up to the track? We could just walk upstream around the mud and mangroves. I got no more than 10 meters, before turning around and headed back to were the workers had pointed out the track. Trent countinued at a slower pace. The waypoint on the mapping must be out by 200m and you just have to use common sence and some local knowledge.

Learning:

New Zealands first cricket match was held in Paihia in 1832. Church Missionary Society leader Henry Williams gave the male pupils of his mission school at Paihia in the Bay of Islands a rare day off following exams the day prior. The girls would not have been allowed to play...and had to be content with receiving prizes for their academic work.

Summary: