No Jews in Kerikeri Either

Just got into Kerikeri, about 20 minutes north of Paihia on the Bay of Islands.  I've been trying to find Jews all week in the Northland, but they're few and far between.  The woman I spoke with in Whangarei said there was no Shabbat services there, but I should try Paihia.  In Paihia, they said maybe in Kerikeri.  I drove into town and just had lunch at the Jerusalem Cafe, run by an Israeli guy named Asher.  He said there's nothing going on here either, so it looks my account of the Northland Shabbat will be pretty brief in the end.

Last night was a lot of fun.  I pulled into Paihia and found a place called the Beachhouse Bar.  It had a big outdoor fire pit outside that people were just hanging out around, so I spent some time there, had a few burgers, and learned a lot from the locals.  Live music started around 9 or so and went till 11, when I piled back into the big orange egg and headed back to the campsite.

I'm learning very quickly that winter is not the preferred season for camping in New Zealand.  It was so cold when I woke up, and I froze after I showered.  It's something that's going to take a little getting used to, I suppose, and I think I'll be hostelling it once I get farther south (no way I'm camping in a van in the snow).

As for the plans for the future, nothing concrete until the 28th, when I have to be on the interisland ferry.  Until then, roaming the North Island and seeing what there is to see.