It had to be someplace special. Not just some ordinary campground but one with a view or a deeper meaning, something outright spectacular. So we headed for Aoraki, Mt Cook. The fading sunlight on the highest peak in New Zealand and the unavoidable countdown ten seconds before midnight while looking upon the snow-capped mountains illuminated by the moon and stars, would prove to be a bit farfetched. Both Cindy and me weren’t really up for the long drive from Akaroa to Mount Cook so we decided to find a campsite that was a bit closer.
Waitohi bush camp it would be.
Even though it took us a while to find it, we were very happy campers when we arrived. Situated on top of a hill, surrounded by paddocks full of sheep, it treated us to an amazing sunset. While I was preparing the feast – chicken, kumara, onion and coleslaw; festive, right?- Lio was so kind to suggest taking a picture of the only other campers on the campground.
They suggested celebrating together, and so we did. We did the countdown, watched the fireworks from Timaru in the distance and had a couple of drinks together. Upholding the kiwi spirit they shared the secrets of the region with us and said that if we needed a local to guide us around Auckland, where they now lived, we only had to ask.
In the end we realised that it doesn’t really matter what you do or where you go. It’s the people that cross your path who make it all worthwhile. Thanks to you Dane, Abby, Bridget and Dan, we had an awesome and cosy new years eve in New Zealand!
