I'm really getting too old to stay in hostel. Can't even sleep well in a three bed dorm. When we checked in, roommate was sleeping in the afternoon and still sleeping when we went to bed at night. I was woken up by the sound of her eating snacks in bed at 3am; biological clock seemed to have gone haywire.


Had coffee the next morning and walked along Marine Parade till lunch time. Seafood shop in Ahuriri was quite popular with locals who would drop by after a swim or paddle at the lagoon across the road. I had grilled prawns and he had fish & chips with calamari.


Ahuriri Lagoon


The road to Wairoa starts to get very winding with very few and short passing lanes. Went full steam to pass a vehicle and had to brake hard suddenly as the road turned into a 35 bend; almost lost control of the car. Thank god no oncoming traffic in the opposite lane. Stopped briefly to recover from shock. Policeman saw us checking our tyres and asked if we're ok. I suggested stopping at Wairoa i-site to print our DOC booking and bought insect repellent at New World. Final leg to Big Bush Holiday Park was damn hot and gruesome on never ending gravel road. The thought of having to pass the same long gravel again four days later made us curse and swear at why the Council did not seal this road.


Big Bush is spacious with tall shady trees. We shared a gimbap and one pack of nongshim for dinner. It's 8.45pm time to sleep and praying for another day of good weather tomorrow.