Our plan: to get down to Owaka in four days, where a house through home exchange was waiting for us. Yes, rushing it but still have enough time to stop for a while where we feel like it.
But what a nightmare getting down there. We had to stop our car after an average of every 30 kilometers. Why, because that f*** car kept f*** overheating. Then half an hour cool down till the next stop. And we had to drive about 70 km/h pulling a long queue each time behind us. So we made about eight hours for 300 km. So exhaustion, tears, defeat, swearing and rage joined us along the journey. We had two professionals looking at it, both for no good. But thanks to you guys anyway, I know you did your best and really wanted to help, which you did for bringing back some better spirits – for half an hour. It’s this f*** car!
Nevertheless, we had a few joyful moments and stunning campsites, met lovely people and didn’t kill each other.
But after all the struggle and almost giving up, we finally made it. We arrived in paradise. A house with plenty of space, hot showers and proper beds was waiting for us overlooking an estuary. When Bill and I went for a walk on the beach during daylight at 10 pm a sea lion rolled up on the beach in front of us out of nowhere. We had no idea what sort of place we were in. Couldn’t have been a better to spend New Year’s Eve.
