The Drive to Waihi Beach and Beyond

Victoria Mine

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This morning we were supposed to catch a bus to Hamilton, it left at 7:10 am. Well Cookie tapped my arm in the morning and handed me the watch asking what time it said. I looked at it and responded back half awake 7:07, and Cookie sid oh, I guess we missed the bus. Wendy came in a few minutes later saying the bus was leaving where were we, but it was too late. At eightish we set out to figure an alternate plan, and of course suprised everyone who saw us since they'd all thought we'd left. Well we were at the ATM when Hayden and Tom who we'd made friends with came whipping around the corner. Cookie and I thought it was odd that they were coming into town since everything was closed, but then they parked in front of us, since we had just spoken to them. They offered to drive us to Auckland today and it was just the sweetest thing, plus we'd get a bonus side trip to see their house. We asked if they were sure, and they stuck to their guns so we very happily consented. On our walk back to the hostel we stopped at the market to get breakfast and get some cookies for the we knew they liked since we didn't know how else to possibly say thanks.

Vicky and Hayden at the Mine

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We drove with Hayden and his mom Vicky and they were so great they stopped and took us around everywhere. We stopped in Thames and while we were heading back to the car it started to pour and thunder/lightning. We were gabbing in the car like we'd known eachother for years instead of days when we also stopped at the Victoria Gold processing place. It was these cool old buildings and a quick little walk in such a scenic area, although everywhere around here is scenic. Back at the car we saw the train was in so Hayden, Cookie and I took it 6km down the road(which is all the further it goes) and Vicky met us with the car, which was so great. The train ride was really pretty and they had an open area in the back with picnic tables, coolest lunch spot. Then we stooped at a huge hole they use to mine gold and silver before heading to their house. Thier house has the most amazinf views, out the front is a meadow and then the beach and the back is green rolling farmland. Their house was a cute bach(e?) which is a type of house they have here, though I'm not sure what makes one one. We were all standing in the yard when we saw a water spout. After it dissipated Vicky, her daughter Jamie, Cookie and I walked over to the beach. The have the most amazing shells, almost all whole and tons of spirals ect... Makes ours look like crap. Then we all (Tom, Hayden, Jamie, Cookie and myself) piled into Toms car and headed to Auckland. The drive there was pretty, and we all talked the whole time. Our candy corn was a big sucess, enough to warrent a trip to the states in and of itself. Everyone talks a lot about Auckland, but it's so green. There and trees and parks and open spaces everywhere, a million times prettier than LA proper. They took us to the hostel and the winds were blow you over strong. Our room was private and we all toured the building, quite nice, and then said our goodbyes which I will do now also as my time is nearly up.