Something is working against me. I packed up the tent and prepared everything for my departure but just as I got ready to carry the kayak down to the water I was informed that a tsunami was on the way as a result of an earthquake in Chile and that it would be wise to seek out higher ground.
It was my good fortune that I ran into a wonderful woman and her two sons who I'd met at a dinner the previous evening and it was not long before I was being driven up into the hills following the Patea River as it wound through some extraordinarily wonderful scenery.
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On November 21, The Gonz flies to Auckland NZ, to begin an attempt at a solo circumnavigation of the North & South Islands by kayak...
CHECK THESE VIDEO LINKS OUT!
Let's Go!
- The Gonz
- Palm Beach, NSW, Australia
- "There are only three sports. Mountain climbing, bullfighting and motor racing - all the rest being games." So wrote Ernest Hemingway. With this clearly defined, The Gonz, dressed in his best, announced "Let's go!"
Gonzo's Roll Of Honour
- David (DGL), your emails are sustaining whether they involve your humour (dry, very), wisdom (truly), Swans updates, or simple (rarely) observations, they mean a great deal to me.
- Fiona, from Piha Beach Motor Camp. I had a muc needed restful sleep and having a real pillow made all the difference!
- Madeleine, from the Piha Cafe for the chocolate brownie. Yum!
- Sam, from Sunset Beach Surf Club, for picking up my kayak from the camground and driving it and storing it at the Club.
- Nicola from Port Waikato Top 10 Holiday Park, for allowing my brother Damon, to take the truck
- Pippa, for the Arnotts biscuits. I couldn't wait, I've already consumed them!
- Richard from the Raglan Kopua Holkiday Park for giving me a 'mattress' to cut up for my kayak seat. I didn't ask him for it. It just might work.
- Maria from Raglan 4 Square Supermarket for giving me my favourite food bars free of charge. I was touched!
- Jan, Ken & Lola at Onaero Holiday Park. Six star service!!!
- Nicky, Ethan, Zach & Angel, for being such generous chaperones whilst I was in Patea. Dinner, museum, dam... damn good!
- Terence and Jill for accepting a stranger into their home for dinner and a recreation of a family wedding sans the couple. I loved it! Thanks too for the tie... it went well with the boardshorts and made me feel right at home!
- Cameron picked me up on the Saturday, drove me out to collect the repaired kayak, and then provided me with a sightseeing tour of the stunning coast... and then invited me to the family home for dinner and the opportunity to meet friends. Let me know when you're coming to Sydney, please.
- John, I walked in off the street with my story of a 'smashed' kayak and you immediately got on the phone and began ringing around to find help for me... and you made me a seat cushion that seems to be working. Cheers!!!
- Phil, Garfield, James, Glen, Stacey and everyone at Wanganui Surf Club. You guys are amazing and I thank you all sincerely.
- Paul and Nic and Neil and the Otaki Surf Club. After one of my biggest days to find you there so willing to help was just perfect. 'Life-savers' in every sense of the word!
- Andy from Canoe & Kayak in Wellington for his support, enthusiasm, and even lending me his car to collect the kayak. Cheers Andy!
- Norm, Annette & Leanne at the Fairshore Motor Lodge, a great location on the forsehore at Petone. Thanks for showing so much interest in my journey. It's that sort of thing that inspires me to keep going!
- Gibby & Barb, fancy running into some of the family's closest and dearest friends so far from home! Certainly my good fortune as they generously shouted lunch and I thoroughly enjoyed the good humour even if their sophistocated appearance served to exaggerate my own dishevelled state.
- To Connie & Campbell, and Leanne for providing a complete stranger with lifts to and from Martinborough. I enjoyed the rides as much as I enjoyed Martinborough itself. Sincere thanks.
- The Lake Ferry Hotel! To all the staff including Luke, Candice, Isaac, Debbie, Tina, Jacinta, Smithy, Ford, and Natash and the wonderful inhabitants of Lake Ferry. I wish I could have stayed longer.
- Chip, for meeting me with your friends and providing me with what was a superb camp site even if not one where camping is encouraged. Thank you!
- Fred, I faint at the sight of blood but your dismembering and devouring of that rabbit was strangely hypnotic and most certainly entertaining.
- Rock & Prue, I was reluctant to leave. Both for your company and becasue the surf scared me witless! Little did I know that Rock was going to put his body on the line like that.
- Westshore Surf Lifesaving Club, for your hospitality, friendliness and allowing me to store my kayak at the club.
- Chris Swain, you're a ledgend. Congratulations on getting engaged!
- Gerry and Heather, for inviting a complete stranger into their house... and the mandarin!
- Gina, you humbled me with all that food. Did I look emancipated, I wonder?
- Porter (steak), Nadine (sardine) and Seton, I count you as true friends and feel richer for having met you. Are the chickens laying eggs?
- Ollie and Bronwyn, thanks for the loan of the bike. Sorry about the puncture! The lift to the beach, and the send-off saved me so much time and effort. Good luck in Oz!
- Todd, Nola, Dean, Sarah, and Alan, I have worked in the hospitality industry for two decades and you brought new meaning to the word hospitality. Amazing!
- Ray & his gorgeous family. Thank you for all the pippies! They were so beautiful eaten fresh & naturally.
- Gary & Glennis. Great company, offered me plunger coffee, made me lunch, & with Ian & Jill's help & knowledge helped plan my stopovers for the next leg of my journey.
- Nola from the Ohiwa Beach Family Park. Lovely personality. With Alan's help we moved my kayak with all its belongings off the beach and to a wonderful tent site. Thanks too for the avocado... it was perfect!
- Des & Elaine the sailors I met at Matata, what a pleasure speaking with you & thank you for going out of your way to see me off. You are an inspiration.
- Les & Ginny who selflessly gave up their car spot and ice-creams at Mt Maunganui to transport my gear from one side of the campground to the other... thanks heaps!
- Roland and family... came & found me & returned my GPS after I left it behind. Hope you got the chocolates. Thank you for your honesty! There is such a thing as Karma & I wish it upon you.
- Lance from the Waihi Beach Top Ten Holiday Park, happily drove me into town to post a parcel. That's service!
- Trevor & Leanne from Flippers Burgers. Loved the burgers and Flippin Fantasit Spirulina Smoothies.
- Nicole the physio, who strapped my shoulder for next to nothing. Put up your prices!
- Nicole from Pinnacle Health & Fitness Club. So helpful in looking up health supplements!
- Pauline from Health 2000 (Whitianga) for her honesty and patience.
- Glen and Barbara met at Whitianga. From North Carolina, Glen was an extremely active and age was no barrier.
- Paul & Kate from the Beachfront Resort at Whitianga.
- Alexandra, the free spirit who'd connected with dolphins, enjoyed collecting flotsam and driftwood, & who have me a huig & saw me off at Waikewau Bay.
- Colin & Annette at the Waikewau campsite for the coffee and not kicking me out of the Ladies toilets.
- Travis & Melinda who saved me from desolation at Waikawau Bay. The very best!
- The Germans at Port Jackson, Ralph, Angelina, Arved, & Sora for their kindness and generosity.
- Bill & Anne the kind hosts at the Port Jackson DOC campsite.
- Pat, such a kind, kind lady for greeting me with a hot cup of tea upon landing at Port Jackson. What an angel!
- The Coramandel town cleaner who'd heard my radio interview & tipped me off on a great spot for lunch.
- Serge from the Fish & Chips store in Coramandel drove me & all my gear to the campground.
- Shaun, Karon, Logan and Sarah of The Coramandel Holiday Park & for letting me store my kayak in the container.
- Barbara, Dan, Christine and Adam for allowing me to camp in their front yard on my first night. Bliss & I loved the Kate Bush!
- Ian Ferguson, his family, and Patrick, Lauren, Deborah, Kirk, & Ben for their generosity in allowing me to use Ferg's Kayaks to store my kayak before my departure.
- Anthony & Sheilagh Fitzgerald for putting up with me, and feeding me for a week whilst providing a home. Couldn;t have done it without you! Anthony was brilliant in helping me prepare and Sheilagh's gourmet sandwiches sustained me for my very first leg.