Back to Paihia - much nicer weather

Anthony at Haruru Falls
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We went back to Piahia and were happy to see the sun out this time.  The Pickled Parrot was still full so we found a lovely motor camp nearby at Haruru Falls (about ten mins drive out of town).  The park overlooked the waterfall that it get its name from, nice park except when they have Christmas parties in from local companies and the guests get drunk and quite rowdy.  We also decided to stay in a local backpackers for one of the nights as Laura wasn't feeling too well and Anthony suggested she might feel better for having a night out of the tent.  We checked into the en-suite double room at the backpackers and Laura felt like she was at the Hilton, very nice!  While staying there we took advantage of the use of their kayaks and headed out to sea.  On the way to the sea it started hammering it down and by the time we got to the sea we were soaked through so not too bothered about all the splashes from the waves.  Great fun and glad for the life jackets, even if only as an extra layer, bbbrrr.  We paddled out to one of the islands and back and in the rain it was really hard going, we slept well that night!

Camping is ok but sometimes a bed is so much nicer