Me and the Tasman Sea, looking good.
The view from our hostel window
Last night we stayed in Plimmerton (which makes me want to laugh in a British accent), just north of Wellington, and it was a little piece of Paradise. It was on a small bay of the Tasman Sea, with mountains (ok they may have been hills) right behind, with little houses dotted amongst the hillsides. Absolutely beautiful. It reminded Dad and I of the bay area, but better (yes that is possible you *snotty* california lovers) - minimal traffic, minimal signs of consumerism. ahhhh paradise.
The owner of the hostel came to pick us up from the bus station (It's the Kiwi way, he says), and gave us a show around of the area. Just before we reach the top of the hill (mountain?) there's a fence along the edge of the (quite steep) road - "Ruins the view" says our Kiwi driver. Just earlier there was a car that had run off the road; must have been going to fast around the curvaceous roads. "Serves him right", says he.
Dad and he get to talking - the owner (who's name is also John) just built a sailboat. The conversation becomes overtaken with the two John boatbuilders (for those of you that dont know, my dad built a kayak in the fall). i enjoy the scenery. it's pretty.
after we get into the hostel, Helen takes care of us - gets us the ferry tickets for the next day, gets us set up with a rental car, gets us a train schedule and a wee to-do list for the time we have in Wellington itself. The two Johns are off in the Marina talking and examining the boats. I'm taking photos of the sunset.
After we bs a bit more, we talk about tramping -- oh yeah we did the Tongariro Crossing yesterday, it was pretty challenging, must have been 50 km winds at the top. Oh thats nothing, says our lovely hostel owner. One time it was well over 100 km winds and i had to crawl back from the summit on my hands and knees. so i guess dad and i are a bit wussy. oh and our room looked out over the tasman sea, and we could see the south island in the distance.
i love this place.
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