Hokitika, South Island, NZ
I was quite sleepy not wanting to get up, just pull the bag over my head and sleep some more. And I did just that...cause I can:)
When I finally awoke, I found a wet tent, wet pants to put on, and a wet food bag. The ground cloth is a touch too wide I think and is catching the rain, pooling it underneath. Must fix that.
But the weather broke and I packed and headed out. But as I continued south, the rain picked up. And it's a bit chilly too..high 40's, low 50s, I'm guessing. I was beginning to mentally explore the idea of a hostel, or backpacker as they're called here. But you know me...hate to spend a nickel on a place to sleep. But I could use some wifi and always like a shower. And I like exploring a town. But I do like to camp too. Oh, let's just check some prices anyways. One place was nice but outside of town. Nah. $29/night. Wifi: $2 for 20 mb, I think.
The guy who owned the BBH in town met me at the door. $22 BBH rate and wifi was $5 for 100 gb for 24 hours. Sold! Mixed dorm room is fine with me...after sleeping with 9 men spooned together in a shelter on the AT, this is cake.
And as I listened to the rain slam the windows last night and the wind howl, I couldn't help this feeling of panic "what's getting wet?" I've camped in a lot of rain, but these past few days have been the worst I've seen. Torrential. Took out a section of bridge about an hour's drive south of here. Took trees down in Arthur's Pass, the road across the South Islandto Christchurch. Right now the only direction out is back north where I came from. Hmmm?
I'm staying again tonight at the hostel and perhaps tomorrow too. I'm tempted to wait for the bridge to be fixed do I can keep heading south. I may have to pass up the Kepler Track to keep close to schedule of getting back to Wellington by the 30th.
It's still pouring outside. Pelting the windows. Sure glad to be inside. And hostels are such fun:). Mostly young kids. Most interesting and independent travelers. All kids should travel the world in their 20s. It's a great foundation for life. And what moxie it develops.
Oh ya, had a tour today of the flooding. I was wandering town and saw this woman with an ice cream cone...on a cold and rainy day...come on! She was a local and offered to take me on a tour: mouth of the river and the boat that's run aground, flooding of the river over the road, up to the high spot for a view. Helen was a woman who'd had a long abusive marriage that she left 8 years ago. She's found a good man and happiness now. Thanks for sharing a but of your world with me
A Soggy BagLady...again
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
