Ems and I began the day early, at 7 am, as we had to go and get our hire car.
You can hire a car from various car rental companies through a ‘Relocation Deal’ and it doesn’t cost you anything other than the fuel…Epic, I know. We walked to the office wondering which vehicle we’d be given, I said something random but I thought probably a Toyota Camry or something similar…we got a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado…it’s MASSIVE!
After a good laugh and a few ‘Oh-dear-God’ moments driving it back to our block, we were happy and ready to get going on our adventure. Ems and I had planned to drive from Wellington to Auckland via the Waitomo Caves, but it didn’t quite work out, as we arrived a little bit too late to get on a tour. Never mind, we’ll try to fit it in on another day.
The driving wasn’t too bad after I’d got used to the huge automatic 4×4, we’ve renamed it ‘The Beast’. It’s quite spacious and there is so much space for all of the luggage etc. I wouldn’t say no to one!
In total the journey took about 11 and a half hours (Around 10 am until 9.30 pm), with two food stops and a bathroom stop. I don’t think that this is too bad as it’s a long journey: 646 km. When we got into the city we had a mini-drama trying to find a parking space and the hotel, but we eventually found everything and got ourselves to our room with very little problems. We are staying in the ‘Nomads Fat Camel’, which is next to a sort of brothel/night club affair!
I didn’t realize this when I booked it, but so far it seems to be okay. Fingers Crossed.
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