we left this morning on the kiwi experience bus to paihia. checked into the centabay lodge, a hostel. um, it could use some tidying. there were many things i would change. it just didn't feel clean. some of the cooking pots/pans were rusted. yuck. i want to eat the food i make, not the pan!

while we were relaxing in the hostel room, the siren from the volunteer fire brigade sounded. it was loud and lasted awhile. at first, i thought we were under attack 'cos it sounded just like the sirens warning of an aerial attack.

we walked around the town to check it out. twiddle thumbs realized she needed some different shoes for casual water activity sort of stuff. i learned that new balance is a new zealand company. you learn something new everyday.

the small town of paihia

we tried to get something to eat around 3pm. horrible experience. every restaurant is closed around 2pm-5pm. seriously. i think only in large cities like auckland can you find food during 'tea time'. one small place was open, (it's paihia, everything is small), and the outside sign said they carry kebabs. we've learned all the falafel places say kebabs on the outside. so we go in and ask for a kebab with falafel. the lady gave us a dirty look, "this is not a turkish place." well fuck you too you racist bitch! that was what i thought. i just felt that was the tone she was sending out. we ended up buying groceries and making our own dinner.

watch out for a school of ducks crossing

after dinner we walked around taiputuputu pahi beach and it wasn't such a bad walk. put feet in the water, not too cold. this might just be swimable for me!

[update 12/7/06: it's been bugging me this whole time as to whether or not new balance is indeed a new zealand company. that shopkeeper said they are so i believed it because why should i doubt it? anyway, i just went to new balance's web site (both usa and nz) and read their company history. they are from boston, usa, not new zealand. damn kiwis. i wonder who started saying that new balance is from new zealand.]