As I lay sweating in my 80⁰ motel room with the window cracked for ventilation, the fire alarm went off as my alarm to awaken. It is to muster volunteers. I didn’t see anyone so it must have been a test?!? I guess that we will muster instead!
With bags packed for the next leg of our adventure and parked with the hotel receptionist, a walkabout of sorts through town began:
“What’s the rush?” I said. “What’s the stall?” Rob replied.
We have time to kill. Taumarunui has the longest Main Street in New Zealand and most of the town is located on that LONG street.
Since there is no wind here, the big puffy white clouds don’t move across the sky which likely explains the oppressive heat.We saw these signs all over so it must be a big problem.Outside the building. Inside was wonderful air conditioning, pool tables, and a bar.At the bar, there was a menu with prices on what they could say when your wife called.RSA Returned and Services Association (RSA) is equivalent to our veterans organizations that provide a place to socialize and reach out to services and mentors.These modern art poppies were added to the WWI memorial.The memorial wall of veteran names sprinkled with poppies was a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice.I would have never known that this was a mail box until I saw someone put a letter in it.Today Rob located a sports bar to watch American football while we waited for our 3:00pm bus. Can you believe it? It was closed on Monday. So this barber agreed to help us out. It wasn’t ESPN, but it was something. We seredipitiously stumbled into this travel agency. Rob was like a child in a candy store. Bird carvings were scattered along the welcome shade of main street. New Zealand Fantails spread their tail feathers much like a peacock, not to attract a mate but to aid in flying.At last our bus arrived and every seat is occupied. Fortunately it is only a 30-minute ride to National Park.Our new town of National Park has its peculiarities. This convenience store is open, but it is locked. Instructions say to ring the bell on the left and if no one answers in a few minutes, call Joy at xxx.A combo basketball and tennis court all with AstroTurf.We needed to buy food for our hike tomorrow. These cute spices come in little brown cartons for easy recycling.Wonderful concept: a neighborhood food pantry. Shelving for stocking up excess food supplies for anyone in need to grab for a meal.I have seen cairns before but this one defied gravity.This cairn commemorates the League of Frontiersmen who lost their lives in the World Wars.It’s time for dinner. Maybe this place? I guess not.
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