{"id":826,"date":"2015-06-02T13:00:46","date_gmt":"2015-06-02T12:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skeptic.de\/blog\/kv\/?p=826"},"modified":"2016-10-31T18:27:24","modified_gmt":"2016-10-31T17:27:24","slug":"31-rotorua-whakatane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leetraynor.com\/blog.multi\/kiwi5\/?p=826","title":{"rendered":"31. Rotorua \u2013 Whakatane"},"content":{"rendered":"
Friday, March 13: A little cloudy to begin with, but very sunny & warm in Whakatane<\/h5>\n

Windsor Lodge<\/a>, 10 Merritt St., Whakatane 3120, tel.: +64 7 308 8040, double as single, shared facilities (BBH, $45 + $3)<\/h4>\n

There was just a little bit of business to be cleared up after the excitement of yesterday. A trip to the closer and smaller i-site just revealed that I had to go to the main office and speak with Tyra-Lee which I promptly did, and told my story of how the boatie jumped in and took me back. Got my money back, and a promise that there would be consequences. <\/p>\n

Then there was a rucksack that I had eyed a couple of days ago \u2013 New Zealand\/All Blacks\/Silverfern design \u2013 that would do as a carrier of purely the computer stuff and be a good souvenir at the same time. The shop didn\u2019t seem to be opening for some time, so I cleared my stuff out of the motel and walked around the block for a bit. Bloke in the shop seemed poised to open it, and after I had inspected a few restaurant menus nearby, his wares had been rolled out onto the street and he was open for business. I got one with a blue theme, and for $15 this seemed quite reasonable. Proprietor was very chatty but I was determined to make my way to the coast early.<\/p>\n

I had seem a Mobil station yesterday on the north side of town where the prices were 10c cheaper, so I called along there and filled the very empty tank for $1.63\/L (including the 4c supermarket discount), which is about 30c cheaper than the most expensive stuff I\u2019ve seen. Not quite sure how this works.<\/p>\n

As far as I can remember I hadn\u2019t done the SH30, at least not in its entirety, so I took off down it. Very heavily forested and Rotomana seems a pleasant enough place on the lake. Fairly soon I was in Whakatane for lunch \u2013 went into the supermarket for a couple of slices of roast beef for $2.2 which made for a couple of very edible sandwiches down at the beach.<\/p>\n

Searching for the library I went to the place where I thought it had been and it had moved! Some change at least. Checked the weather (tropical cyclone due in a couple of days\u2019 time), spaces on the Waikaremoana Track, and tides in Hastings, sent Henry another message. Then looked for a place to spend the night. Skyped here \u2013 and was given a room at a cheaper price. Had a bit of difficulty with the street signs but eventually found the place and booked in for two nights hoping to do some kayaking tomorrow \u2013 if not, then tramping.<\/p>\n

Called a kayaking place from here and received a call back. went down to see the chap return with a small group. May well do 3 hours of freedom kayaking tomorrow for $60 \u2013 Ohope Harbour \u2013 seems calm enough to try the camera without the protective bag (but with security in place).<\/p>\n

\"White<\/a>
White Island from the lookout above Ohope Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>On the way back tried a shot at White Island \u2013 tripod had lost a metal staple yesterday, which still had to be fixed. Back here started on trying to process the Waimangu brackets and snapshots (even the blurry swans).<\/p>\n

Dinner was a cheeseburger and a scoop of chips from the fish\u2019n\u2019chip shop around the corner for $9. Ate only half of the chips and saved the leftovers for reheating tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Spent the evening transcribing the diary and filling in a few details from the Tongariro circuit, day 2.\"No