East As

1 - 9 October 2010

Road trip No 2!! This time it's a week long trip along the remote east coast of New Zealand - Moari heartland where the horses roam free! Left Taupo to Napier and Hawke's Bay (Jerry's hometown), then Mahia to Gisborne (first CITY not place, in the world to see the sunrise), round the east coast to Tiki Tiki for a horse ride, Whakatane and finally back to Taupo.



Sweet as East As

 Napier's an art deco town. Built to resemble the art deco style of the states after the 1931 earthquake that destroyed the city. Went to Possum world - possum slippers cost NZ$99! And here I thought they were pests.


Above : Buildings b4 the 1931 quake
Below : Art-deco buildings after the quake

 Our trip to Hawke's Bay could not have been at a better time. Hawke's Bay Spring Carnival was on! Basically a whole day at the races where people come dressed to the nines with those huge hats. Loads of drunken teenages in the skimpiest outfits possible lolling around. Great for people watching. Sad to say, our incredible betting knowledge (which was zlich) won us absolutely nothing.

Hawke's Bay Race Day

Stayed with Jerry's brother Martin at Havelock North. Besides the races, we climbed a steep hill and went to the petting zoo where this really really cute lamb shat on me when I picked him up! It made Jerry's day that moment. Esh. But ahhh cho cute!!!!!


Bloody steep hill at Havelock North

Love the petting zoo!

Gisborne, the first CITY in the world to see the sunrise, was next on the itinerary. Note that it says CITY, not place. They're so kiasu that they had to have the shortest river in New Zealand at a few metres too.

Gisborne - 1st city in the world to see the sunrise

Gisborne's the last big town we were gonna pass before we enter the remote Maori heartland of the East. Jerry has a friend at Rangituki where he used to bring the Kiwi Experience backpackers touring East As so to Reg's farm it was for some awesome horse riding. I'm so pleased with myself as I managed a few canters albeit a slight mishap of me tumbling off War Lord when he transitted from canter to trot. Jerry was quite concerned.. how sweet of him. Lucky it was on the beach and I fell not that badly. Could have been worse but all's sweet.

War Lord (white) and Dreadlocks

Treated ourselves to a nice motel at Opitiki after days skimping in our tent. Great 8 day roadtrippin East As. Will be back for more horse riddin.