Tomorrow morning I will catch a ride with the Sand Safaris tour bus to Cape Reinga and the start of the Te Araroa trail.  I really thought that a this point I would be a little nervous about it.  But all I feel is excitement about finally getting started!
Tonight I’m staying at Ahipara Holiday Park.  Yesterday was spent in Auckland making last minute preparations: bought a six month backcountry hut pass at the DOC, went grocery shopping for hiking food, and bought a few last minute gear items (gas cylinder for my stove and a stocking cap {i.e. beanie} which I forgot to pack in Sydney}. A note about Auckland. In some ways it reminds me of Anchorage Alaska.  The Alaskans say, “Yeah, Anchorage is great.  Because it’s only 30 minutes away from Alaska.”  My initial impressions are that Auckland has a similar relationship to the rest of New Zealand. In the sense that it is a staging point for tourists moving on to bigger and better things throughout the country.
Today was spent traveling including a bus ride to Kaitaia.  And then a walk to Ahipara.  At about half way into this walk a family on their porch stopped me to talk and gave me an icicle pop.  And about 10km into the 14km walk a very kind passing motorist stopped to give me a ride the rest of the way. Since this was not part of the Te Araroa walk I accepted his offer.  Of the official trail I plan to walk every step of the way.