Friday, January 19, 2024: Day 347 – Waitimo Caves Guest Lodge

Here was something different. I have never seen an off/on control on the showerhead.

We saw these pearls of wisdom at breakfast:

We often read in our news feeds about ways to maintain good health.

  • If you are concerned about your heart – nutrition, exercise, sleep, and reducing stress is the answer.
  • If you are concerned about diabetes – nutrition, exercise, sleep and reducing stress is the answer.
  • If you are concerned about (fill in the blank) – nutrition, exercise, sleep and reducing stress is the answer.

Apparently an American diet, the sedentary lifestyle of an American, Americans “late to bed and early to rise mentality” with a coffee caffeine jolt in the morning, and 60+ hour work week is not good for anything.

I recently read that touch is so very important. My mom said that touch is lacking for many seniors, especially widows so she made a point of hugging. I would always hold Dad’s hand or lay beside him in bed when I would visit.

Then I read that getting two minutes of bright sun as soon as you wake up helps to set one’s circadian rhythm and will produce a good night’s sleep. I plan to “give it a go”, as the Kiwi’s say.

After my morning sunbathing, we walked a block to catch our bus. When the bus arrived, it was apparent that there was a problem.

🎶 You can check out any time you want, but you can never leave. 🎶

We were the only ones boarding a 12:45pm bus, but there were about a dozen people who got off. Unfortunately, the luggage storage door was stuck shut and people were not able to retrieve their luggage.

With much brute force, a passenger got it open … but then it wouldn’t close. The bus was a no go. Our driver called for someone to come fix it. In the meantime, he said go amuse yourselves in this little hamlet … but be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

They wasn’t much to see or do as we waited. Here’s what we saw:

A candy store that my granddaughter Lucy would enjoy!
An interesting rock formation called a Karren. I wonder if it minds being called a Karren.
This rock formation is called a pancake.
This cute Dahlia was a welcome sight.

We are finally on our way. We arrived in Tauranunui in the middle of the afternoon. We walked through the town. The main street was bustling with traffic with storefronts dating 1912, etc. It looked like a front Street in a western town. One block over was like a deserted ghost town.

Our room has an interesting setup … a kitchen/bathroom combo. Sadly, there is not air conditioning and it’s hot (83 degrees and humid) 🥵
The McDonald’s drive thru is on the left. I ordered a milk, and I was asked if I wanted small, medium or large. I should have known something was up. I got a frothy hot milk!!

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