Road trip

So I decided randomly to enjoy a road trip with Ben and our new American friend Brian. They had already planned to go and I just decided to not work for my last week before my concert job and go with them. I am really glad I did! When we left Auckland and started driving to the Coromandel  it was dumping rain! It was raining so much and so hard we couldn't even really camp in our tents. By the time we got to town it was dark anyway so we managed to find a B&B kinda place and stay there for one night. It was really nice to be out of the rain!

After that, the rain cleared up and we drove on towards Roatoua but we camped for the night at a free but not so great rest stop. It was not amazing at all but it got us by. We also had the chance to camp at a really great spot that was at a scenic overlook. (the town that smells of sulfur) and on the way we stopped at Mount Mounganui and climbed it. While we were there we walked around the town for a while and directly after we got off the mountain we were so hot we ran right into the ocean! The water was cold but so so refreshing.

The next day we continued on to Taupo and we camped in the middle of the forest! We found an unused (or so we thought) logging road and we went way way back and we managed to find the perfect I mean perfect camping spot right on the lake! When we got there we were alone and we thought it was totally amazing but then a few people showed up and told us it was Maori land. Apparently the lake was a sacred burial ground for their dead after a huge massacre happened. It was kinda creepy being there alone and sleeping next to this lake of dead people but we managed.

A little later in the night a Maori tribal representative showed up and told us we weren't allowed to camp there. We weren't aware at the time that the land was tribal land but he was not a murderous killer nor was he a uncivilised savage he even drove a truck. He was nice enough to let us stay the night as long as we promised to take away our rubbish and not get in the lake. (we didn't swim and we did take our rubbish). So while it was a little creepy being there we had GREAT weather that day and an AMAZING spot. I have some great pictures.

After the few people left that we there it was just us and nature and for a good while we could see SO many stars! We just relaxed with some beers and cooked dinner and just had a great night. I still consider myself a non smoker but, since I have been here in New Zealand I have smoked a true Cuban Cigar (not illegal if you aren't in America hehe) and last night we had cigarillos. I can't say I am a big fan of smoking but it was nice just to relax with Ben and Brian and just shoot the shit. It was a great day and a great night.

The next day we packed up and headed to Lake Taupo. We are here because we are meeting 120+ couch surfers and we are going to do the e Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It is going to be a great time and I am also celebrating my belated birthday party here! I can't wait :) It has been a great road trip so far and SO good to get out of Auckland for a bit and have a last blast before we start working hard for the next month and half.

Soon we will be back in the city and back at work but for now the fun continues.... I will update you more as I get it. All is well so far :) Please forgive my spelling mistakes there is a lot of Maori (the native people of New Zealand) names that I can't pronounce much less spell correctly even though I try my best.

Yall take care,Tyler

P.S. South America  will be here before I know it and I am so excited for April!