Here’s another story by two Wickedee’s on their travels through New Zealand, in their much loved Drum’n'Bass campervan

I feel this tune is appropriate for the read:

Check it!

“We landed in Auckland airport 2 days after boarding the flight at 4am. Once we had passed through security we then had to declare our hiking boots and tents as well as half a cucumber. and some spices. The shoes and tents were cleaned and the cucumber and garlic confiscated.

So after our boots were cleaned for free (sub-standard effort really, only sprayed with disinfectant) we grabbed a much needed shower in the airport as we had travelled from Mendoza to Auckland without showering… that’s 4 days.

The Wicked Campers depot opened at 9am so we killed some time shopping for our NZ Road Atlas. We also had our first McDonalds since we have been away. Annie brought her first Real Life magazine and Rory his first fishing book. The feeling of being able to read signs and the free newspapers in the airport was ever so exciting.

Upon arrival at the Wicked depot we signed the necessary paperwork and were shown to our home for the next month… our beautiful DRUM ‘N’ BASS Toyota Estina campervan… what a beaut!

Hitting the road we headed North for Paihia in the Bay of Islands where we would be meeting Tom for a few days. The 4 hour journey was awesome and we stopped more than once to take in the beautiful scenery and get photos of the stunning beaches. What a feeling to be totally independent and able to start and stop as and when we pleased… we were going to enjoy our campervanning experience!

We found Tom horizontal on the beautiful Paihia beach with a few friends. Our first step was to find somewhere to camp for the night and headed to the local campervan site. We were surprised and a little worried at the idea of having to pay $25 every night on top of the cost of the campervan but for the first night we parked up and Tom took us back into town where we sat on the beach with our first Strongbows in months. We grabbed burgers in one of the local eateries and had a few drinks in one of the local backpackers haunts. A pint here was $4 during Happy Hour so we were happy.

Next morning Tom met us at the campsite and we drove into town to pick up Tom’s stalker/date for a day out at a bay an hour or so away from Paihia. We walked across a cow field and around a bluff where Tom and Rory went snorkelling in the clear blue waters. Tom pulled up a few kina (sea urchins) and we tried the roe fresh from it’s shell… although we are pleased we tried it, we wouldn’t be eating that again soon. We made and ate lunch looking out to sea.

That night Tom’s friend Mike very kindly offered us his driveway and use of showers and kitchen while we were there which was great, and a lot cheaper than paying to stay at the campsite.

The next morning Tom had prior arrangements so we headed north to Matauri Bay, which had what was voted one of the most beautiful campsites. Tom had lent us his mask and snorkels so we tried it out although the water was pretty cold. We also did a little fishing which was fruitless but great fun and in such a beautiful setting. We also had our first freedom camping experience which was a lay by a little back from the road… it was heavenly quiet and the stars were phenomenal.

On the way back to Paihia we took a detour for some fishing in River Kaoa where we caught our first snapper… Rory managed to have his rod stolen from the riverbank and jumped in to save it which was an entertaining sight… his feet were ripped to ribbons by the time he got out again! We caught 3 snappers in total and as we prepared to return to Paihia we discovered the battery on our van had gone flat. We managed to wave down a very kind Kiwi who gave us a jump start and we were on our way!

Back into Paihia for our last night we cooked up our snapper for dinner before Tom returned. After a few vodka and ‘pump juice’ cocktails we headed into town for lots of drinking and dancing.

Next morning after a mammoth fry-up we brought Annie’s first fishing rod… a beautiful pink bad boy with all the trimmings.”

For more pictures on their adventure, click here