Te Araroa (day 7) - Kerikeri to Paihaia / mile 152

One week on the trail!

Day was sunny and hot. It took me four hours to get to Kerikeri, path was going mainly through farmlands with lots of annoying fences, it felt like walking through an outdoor museum sometimes. I took a detour in Kerikeri to resupply and get something to eat, I went shopping to New World the last of 'big three' supermarkets in New Zealand, this one being the most expensive. Then I got the tiniest pizza in Pizza Hut, which they advertised as 'regular size', except there wasn't small size at all.

As I was walking back to the trail, old lady pruning her garden stopped me and asked why there are so many backpackers walking down her road, I said that it's because it is a good way to reconnect back to the trail. Then she asked where I'm from, I said that I'm from Poland. "Dzień dobry" she answered and smiled.
I've carried on walking to Paihaia, I've met four other Te Araroa hikers along the way, all of them from Europe, they had a late start from Kerikeri so I managed to catch up with them. Then around 3pm I've finally arrived at my destination, it was a beautifully located coastal town with plethora of small islands scattered along its coast, Waitangi located right before it had an interesting history:

"By 1835 a growing desire for international recognition of New Zealand (and its governance) led to a meeting of chiefs at Waitangi. Concerned about the intentions of the growing number of Europeans, the chiefs put their signatures to a document which declared New Zealand a 'whenua rangatira', an independent country."
I decided to camp at the Caravan Park, as it was the cheapest option with pretty much all the facilities I needed (shower, charging, kitchen, wifi) I had a stroll around the town where I managed to get a good shot of the Tui, one of New Zealand's most iconic birds (unfortunately I took it with my other camera so won't be able to post it just yet). I ate snapper and chips at Paihaia Fish and Chips which cost me 13.5$ NZ dollars.

At the campsite I met Luka from Sweden he was cycling to Cape Reinga (where Te Araroa starts), his original plan was to rent a caravan but he didn't realize that he will need an international driving licence to do so. He is currently trying to sort it out electronically in his country but until then he will cycle - he bought his entire set up in New Zealand (bicycle, tent, packs etc.) he seems in good spirits and perhaps this unforseen change in plans will make his trip more memorable.

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