I decided to extend my stay in the Tongariro River Retreat hostel in Turangi for another night. Today I woke up around 9:30 am. The sole purpose was to take a day off and simply relax—an essential break after the intensity of exploring so much in the past months. From the moment I arrived in this country, the ever-changing and stunning landscapes were incredible. The daily impressions and experiences, however, can eventually take a toll on you, as I’ve come to realize.
A Day of Relaxation
I informed the cleaning lady not to tidy up my room, as I intended to book another night. Afterward, I proceeded to the office and extended my stay by paying for an additional night.
I kicked off my day with a delectable breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed my egg salad, and this time, I surpassed my own expectations. The recipe, however, will remain a well-guarded secret!
Following breakfast, I headed to the library near the small mall. Once there, I attempted to carry out the website update, but to my dismay, my worst nightmare unfolded: the FTP ports on the router were blocked, preventing me from accessing the website server.
Navigating Technical Challenges
I exited the library, pondering my options. Driving all the way to Taupo’s library was a consideration, but it was 50 kilometers away. Since I had already paid for another night at the hostel, returning would be inconvenient. ‘What to do, what to do,’ I mused. While contemplating, I noticed Maori people near the shops in the distance (as shown in the last picture above). ‘The shops, of course!’ I realized. I walked in their direction, with my phone scanning for WiFi networks. Fortunately, I found one that appeared to be open. Opening my laptop, I attempted to connect to the website’s server. To my relief, it worked!
Observations of Maori Culture
I began uploading my files and settled on a bench for 30 minutes. Observing the Maori people engaged in conversation, I noticed their distinct appearance compared to the Aboriginals in Australia, a topic I haven’t extensively covered until now. Unlike the Aboriginals I encountered in Cairns, Australia, the Maori people didn’t appear intoxicated and seemed more reminiscent of Hawaiians. This observation wasn’t entirely off base: the Maori people are indigenous Polynesian individuals of New Zealand, sharing Polynesian heritage with the native Hawaiians.
Many Maori individuals (without intending any offense) tend to be robust in stature. The majority of men have sport tattoos, significant muscles, and a somewhat fuller build. The lady at the thermal pools I visited yesterday was also Maori, and she proved to be very amiable—the only Maori person I’ve had the opportunity to converse with so far. Furthermore, in contrast to the Aboriginals in Australia, it is evident that New Zealand has genuinely embraced Maori culture, a fact that is prominently reflected in the streetscape, including place names and street names. The individuals at the mall appeared highly sociable, creating a sense of the Maori community in Turangi as a closely-knit family. I occasionally observed their interactions.
Trout Center Exploration
Once the website update was finished, I went back to the hostel, returned my belongings to the dormitory, and opted to explore the area, considering a visit to the nearby trout center.
I took a wrong turn on the highway and traveled along the road for about 10 minutes. Realizing I was headed in the wrong direction, I needed to turn around to Turangi. Luckily, I stumbled upon a rest area that also served as a lookout. I briefly enjoyed the view of the area; Turangi appeared larger from this perspective. The sight of Lake Taupo was delightful, although I wasn’t entirely certain if the town I spotted at the other end of the lake was indeed Taupo—it likely was.
The driving left me fatigued and somewhat frustrated. I had to resort to Google Maps once more to find the correct location. The sign for the trout center was on the opposite highway, the one leading to Palmerston North. Returning to Turangi, I followed the guidance of my navigation app (with the somewhat annoying Dutch woman’s voice). Despite feeling tired and tempted to head back to the hostel, I pushed through.
I parked the car and quickly made my way down the path. The trail leading to the center was brief but pleasant. Just before reaching the center, I crossed a small bridge. From there, I snapped a photo of the river and noticed some Maori people in the distance. They were having a barbecue, and the enticing aroma piqued my curiosity about what they were preparing.
While observing them, I noticed some trout right in front of me, near the bridge. A small waterfall cascaded beneath the bridge. Upon crossing the bridge, I discovered these ingenious man-made fish passes. It was truly amazing, and I found the concept quite fascinating.
Upon entering the building, I was greeted by the cacophony of many screaming children, which unsettled me. Seeking tranquility, I opted to relax outside by the river. However, the noise persisted, and my nervousness resurfaced. There was a father and his child waiting in front of me, while the individual behind the desk engaged in a lengthy phone call. After five minutes, I chose to use the restroom and strolled toward the river adjacent to the building (depicted in picture 2, last row above).
Upon returning to the office, I noticed the man was still engrossed in his conversation. Sensing my growing fatigue and anticipating agitation due to the raucous children, I decided to head back to the hostel instead. I retraced my steps to the car and drove back to Turangi, a mere 5 kilometers away. It was time to unwind at the Tongariro River Retreat hostel.
Retreat to Hostel Comfort
The pictures above were taken earlier, following the library adventure in Turangi, but I’m too lazy to update the blog right now. It doesn’t matter. Just beyond the kitchen, I discovered the hostel’s lounge. It was stunning, and it was foolish of me not to have noticed it yesterday. They had large sofas against the wall and two couches next to a fireplace. Their TV was enormous, and I couldn’t help but chuckle when I realized the hostel still had VHS tapes. It felt like a blast from the past. I perused their collection and concluded they only had mediocre movies like Bridget Jones’s Diary and Winnie the Pooh. “Is this a hostel or a kindergarten?” I asked myself.
Instead, I grabbed my laptop and lay down on one of the sofas. A convenient power socket was located in the corner of the two sofas. I had some chocolate and a Coke and relaxed with a movie.
French Encounters in the Dorm
It was late afternoon, and I remained in the hostel’s lounge until 10 pm. After that, I returned to my room and realized I had a roommate. I decided to take a shower. Following that, I did some laundry and relaxed a bit more. I had a conversation with the French guy in my dorm. He was planning to do the Alpine Crossing with the two other French guys. He was a nice guy, and the other two French guys seemed friendly too. They greeted me every time in the dorm. Regarding French travelers, the stereotype suggests they are arrogant, but in my experience, they are not at all. I gained a great French friend at Fraser Island in Australia.
