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Nov 05
Sun

Driftwood and lamb shanks in Otaki

Today we have to say goodbye to the beautiful Tongariro National Park, where's so much to see and to walk and hike. We'd love to stay longer if we had more time. I draw comfort from my decision that this won't be my last stay in New Zealand. It means also to gradually say goodbye to the North Island – we are heading for Wellington now, from where we'll take the ferry across Cook Strait to the South Island. But on the way we'll spend one more night we still don't know where.

Without destination we start driving SH1 and pass Taihape with smooth green hills and steep, high cliffs (craters?) in the colour of sand. We'd liked to stay longer here as well, but we want to make some kilometres today. The scenery is kind of model railway, fleckered with countless sheep and cows.

Again we wind up at the West Coast, at the campground Byron's Resort in Otaki. The place is cosy, the facilities are ok. After arriving – it's evening already – we go for a walk on the beach. There's much driftwood and, directly at the water, a huge tree. And, as so often, there's no one except us on the beach. We take some photos.

OtakiOtaki Beach · more Otaki pictures more pictures

We desire to have a luscious diner outside. So far we've cooked honourably by ourselves and the steak we had yesterday in the Discovery Lodge wasn't that satisfying. So we have a second try and enter the restaurant Scuttlebutt - Ale House at Byron’s at the campground. It's cosy. A few men are sitting at the bar having a beer, other guests are dining.

The first bite tells us the lamb shank on kumara mash was the right choice. We are reveling in taste. How delicious is this. The portion is lush, the sauce delicate. The meat is so tender it falls off the bone. They serve it with crunchy vegetables and potatoe gratin. The price is quite fair with $24.

After dining we go for a walk to the beach in the dark. There are some parties in the village, here and there little fireworks lighten the sky. A family starts a firework on the beach. Obviously there's reason to celebrate tonight. If we leave or stay tomorrow depends on the weather. The Tararua Forest Park is very close and I'd like to go hiking there. But though it's mild and warm it's raining nearly all through the night. I can't sleep. When I'm finally falling asleep the cell phone rings. Ralphs brother calls from Germany and «just likes to say, that things are fine at home!» Drowsy I answer «That's awesome, Andreas, it's just that it's 3 am here.» Nevertheless we are glad to talk to him. But it's strange to realize how far away home is by now, not just in space but in mind as well ...

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