November 13th - Day 5 - Piha

Today we picked up JVDC from the car detailing place.  He's better than he was...ugly 'playboy bunny' seat covers removed... but now he has this horrible smell like industrial cleaning products.   Ugh... Ryan doesn't seem to be too bothered by it but you know me and my nose... like a bloodhound!!!

Moving on...  

We checked out of our hotel in Parnell and moved about 10 minutes further away from the CBD into an Airbnb place Ryan found in Newmarket.  (FYI Emi, Sabrina & Gladys - You three would love the town of Newmarket; lined with boutique clothing stores that I know you would all blow your budget on...such pretty little things everywhere...)  This young couple rent a two bedroom apt. and they Airbnb the 2nd bedroom.  It's kinda tight but is cheaper than a hotel, and has a kitchen so it might work out better; but it's weird staying in a strangers home.  We have our own bathroom though, and the free WiFi is a bonus!  :)

Today we drove out to Glendowie to see where Alain is staying. Wow, the drive out was amazing, along the water and beaches, about 30 minutes away.  The house is also huge and modern with spectacular views of the water.  

We had a drink on the couch on one of their 3 patios then shared a apple with Dulce de Leche from Argentina.   :D
 




Alain read about this Beach in a town called Piha which is about an hour and fifteen minutes away by car.  Alain bought a car as well so he was our chauffeur for the day.  The drive was beautiful and the actual beach was unbelievable!  Nestled at the base of three little mountains. The sand was black and so sparkly in the sun that it looked like tiny diamonds everywhere.  It was quite windy but the sand was so soft and very warm on our feet.  Alain got changed and went in the water while Ryan took pics; I just walked with my feet in the water getting used the feeling of black sand between my toes. 

We noticed there was a walk way leading up the hill so we took the trail,  about 10 minutes up and the view of the Tasman Sea was unreal.  We watched surfers below try to catch some waves rolling in.


We figured we should head back soon but Ryan had already put his socks and shoes back on when we realized there was a stream we had to cross to get back to the car.  Jokingly Ryan asked me if I could piggy back him, I laughed of course but then I hear Alain yelling..."I gotchya buddy!!!" 
Hilarity ensued...
      

Finally made it to the car and we on the drive back we stopped for some water at a place called Elevation.  Once we got there we saw they had the most amazing view of all of Auckland so we decided we had to say for a drink and take in the scenery!

We were pretty bagged by the time we got home and super clumsy me, I was on my way to take a shower and I OMG, I stubbed the last 3 toes on my left foot and I was in so much effing pain.  But we were at the Airbnb place so I had to be really quiet.  Not sure how I didn't didn't cry but WTF?!?!?    I could barely stand up in the shower that night and couldn't even touch it.  Had to take both Tylenol and Advil to get to sleep that night because it was aching and throbbing so bad.  I thought it might have been broken, but even if it was, there's not much they can do though.
 
:(