Getting the van was not super smooth since I had not been given a lockbox # or code in order to grab the key. I spend breakfast with Chris which was nothing short of delightful and he, the problem solving guy that he is, managed to get a hold of someone at the van place, who rectified things.
There was a quick "get to know you" orientation, an unpacking of sorts and some condition pics for the rental company, then I was on my way in my Wicked Camper who appeared to be called Noah. (Although I found out later that all the Toyota's that look like this are, in fact, Noahs! So I renamed him VanGogh.)
First stop, fuel. Because here in NZ, when you get your van, you promise to return it with the same level of fuel and in this case, that meant 1/4 tank was all I had. (And airport vicinity fuel costs exactly what you'd expect; about 2x the price of non-airport vicinity fuel. I paid a whopping $6/L!!!)
New World supermarket for supplies and groceries. Bunnings (like Home Deport I guess) was where I acquired extra butane canisters for cooking and the nearest thing to a sharp knife anyone would sell me - a crafting knife! NOTE: when you get your campervan and they tell you it's kitted out with everything you need to cook, they assume you'll be fine hacking up veggies and meat and cheese with a butter knife. I myself, prefer something with a blade that will actually stab a hole in your hand if you slip. My craft knife with its tiny but mighty blade, was qualified and I drew blood the first time I needed cheese and crackers for a snack! Awesome.
Ok, finally on my way, I headed north toward Kaikoura on a scenic and leisurely drive up State Highway 1. It reminded me of the roads through Rocky Mountain National Park.
Stopping to picnic along the banks of a wide turquoise river also gave me the chance to forage for blackberries before continuing on. Given the cost of these at the supermarket, I'd wager I picked about $30 worth. They were small with concentrated flavor and over the next 4 days, they found their way into my mouth as a healthy snack and decorated my muesli each morning.
SH1 approached the coast just south of Kaikoura. The ocean breeze was cool, the terrain and the water both rough, and the beauty unmatched! I felt good bringing out the "big lens" and spending some time communing with sea birds.
"Freedom Camping" is what they call it here when a certified self-contained vehicle can park up for the night for free - and it's more widely available than you'd think. THANK YOU, NZ for this precious gift.
My feral inner child just exhaled. I gave her salad for dinner and as the last of the suns rays hit the peaks that tower over the ocean at 8:45pm and dusk arrived, we were both ready for bed. Maybe tomorrow I would figure out how the bed was supposed to go in this van?! (I should have done more puzzles as a kid, apparently.)
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