In Auckland, I camped in the yard of Dad's friend Graeme and his family. I have to admit, this was partly because they live right next to a train station, which gave me independent access to wherever I wanted to go in the city. Also, I just loved spending time with such a great family. It was especially fun to spend time with Una, their 15 year old daughter. My first day there, she had a day off school to study for mock-finals. I think I was a bit of a distraction, but she was so much fun to talk to! Such a cool girl, smart and unique and ready to travel the world. I hope she comes to visit me sometime when she's on her own adventures.
I also got to reconnect with Elle and Rob, went out for a lovely dinner in the city. Good Mexican food is such a treat here, as it's hard to find. It was so much fun to catch up on all the news and we made an excellent plan to surprise all the teachers at ANI when next I'm in Auckland.
And I got to see Lyle and Jan again. We went out for brunch before they drove me out to the bus station to see me off to Hahei, in the Coromandel Peninsula, where I'll be working at a hostel. Lyle made me a Poanamu pendant as a gift (which is the only way you're supposed to get them. No buying them for yourself) and it is gorgeous. Greenstone has such a good feeling to it, strong and warm and beautiful. And it's good to have a tangible reminder of my New Zealand whanau (family) hanging around my neck alongside the whalebone fishhook my brother gave me almost ten years ago.