...I woke up in the car a little cold despite having spent the night on a beach in the summer :D
...I drove to the nearest town of any size (2 hours) for breakfast, passing a string of similar sounding villages (Takaka, East Takaka, Upper Takaka, Takaka Hill etc.) spread over a distance of 100 km or so
...I pass a sign reminding people to "drive on the left" like many times before but this time it was accompanied by a message "and always kph!"; I guess now I know who these signs are for: American tourists, who drive on the right and think speed limits are in miles.
...I encounter a herd of cows blocking the road; while the shepherd was driving them out of the way, one of the stuck her head into the car obviously wanting a kiss
...I realize that after my data allowance is finished on my SIM card it's cheaper to buy a new SIM card with another allowance than to top up the existing one. I'm posting this from my third (but not last!) SIM card
...I am impressed by the number of campsites which ban alcohol use (teetotal campsites), especially the unpaid ones
...more and more I come to understand how internet is a luxury service in New Zealand - most cafes and restaurants don't offer wifi and those that do, advertise that fact proudly in bold letters over the door
...I observe yet another ritual in cafes and eateries all over the country, after asking me if I want cinnamon or chocolate on my cappuccino, is the way of ordering: I pay up front and then they give me a small stick with a number, which I then put on my table so the waitress knows where to serve. Clever.
...I notice that on winding mountain roads instead of introducing an additional right-hand "passing lane" every couple km, the left-hand lane is called "slow vehicle bay" for several hundred meters. Different name, same result.
...after driving many km in progressively deteriorating weather I arrive at my destination for tonight - a small resort Moana on the Lake Brunner. It's terribly rainy and the only pub in town seems packed but they have warm food and local beer, which they let me sample (!) before buying, and that is enough for me. Trekking tomorrow! Tonight is a car night again.