Better than Paella

I have been in Paihia for 4 days now. They (hostels, coffee shops, restaurants) all charge for internet in these parts, so I haven't been online much. But then I found a library, and where there's a library there's usually free internet.... Plus I've been keeping busy here in Paihia, not much time for the computer.

 Dinner on the beach.

Yes, I really am here! In case you don't believe me! Because I still can't believe it!

Sun setting

Wispy pink clouds... and the moon

I love the water and the rocks.

More oysters on the beach.

These are Pacific oysters.. there were too many to eat by myself!! They were FAT.

...and is mooning you.

Yesterday, Leonie (19 year old from the UK) and I went to Russell, which is across the bay from Paihia.We took a ferry over, hiked up to the flagstaf, then across to have hawaiian pizza and chips on Long Beach.

The oldest church in NZ.

For the first time in NZ, I went swimming in the ocean! It was very cold, but I loved it anyway. After Leonie and I got dressed we decided to walk along the beach... that was when I realized my lima bean ring was missing. I remember taking it off to apply sunscreen.. but that had been over an hour ago, and I had since shaken off all my belongings to get all the sand off. We scaled the beach. I was panicking but I know people lose things, and if I had to lose that ring I wouldn't have wanted to lose it anywhere else. Then Leonie said she stopped, had a feeling it was where she was standing, looked down and saw it mostly buried in the sand. If finding it wasn't a miracle, I don't know what is. But it was absolutely a great feeling, and finding it was better than never having lost it at all.

Afterward I went to hear some local live music, had calamari rings and a beer for dinner, then went back to my room. I met Stephanie, who is 23 and a language teacher from Belgium. She turned out to be one of the NICEST people I've ever met. We went to the hostel next door for a  beer, took some pictures with other backpackers, and then went to the Beach House (it reminds me of one of my favorite places on earth, Rebecca's Coffee Shop in San Diego!!!!). It was Jam Night (open-mic) so I got to see more local artists perform. I saw 2 harpists, and they reminded me of Norton Buffalo. It was a long day and a late night... The planned stay in Paihia was to last 4 days. It has since turned into a week... and then 10 days...