Pauanui is rather Posh

The trip from Waihi Beach to Pauanui is only 80km, but seemed to take us forever.  The narrow winding road took us  up and down hills, around lots of corners, keeping our speed low.  We were off to Pauanui to join the other ICA members for the Christmas Rally.  Both Bill and Vaal and ourselves arrived two nights early and got ourselves settled on site.  We enjoyed a Happy Hour together in the club bar.

Early birds at Pauanui Club

I had never been to Pauanui before and Robin’s last trip was many years ago in another life, so we took ourselves sightseeing.  The holiday paradise of Pauanui is a resort town designed and built with relaxation in mind. Lying on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and a shallow tranquil harbour, it is across the water from neighbouring Tairua, although it's 30km by road. Red coloured roads welcome visitors into this town, which was built for the wealthy and well heeled.  Just how many places have an airstrip for those private planes, with hangers built into the homes?  Certainly not something we see in our hometown.

Private plane on the private airstrip

It’s not just airplanes which are catered for in Pauanui.    There is an area of exclusive real estate built around a series of canals, with private moorings for each home owner. It’s certainly rather posh here in Pauanui.

Pauanui canals

As the washing machine at the camp was out of action, we drove to the next town of Tairua with our laundry bag.  Not at all successful as it turned out.  As we put our gold coins in the slot one by one, the amount still showing was not reducing – what to do except keep adding more cash.  We went to the café next door to while away the time with a cup of coffee, then put the washed laundry into the large dryer.  Despite two cycles it came out warm but still wet, so needed hanging out in the sunshine on our return to camp.  I was not at all happy with my laundry experience at all, certainly would not recommend this facility.

Tairua laundry

There was a bright spark found on our trip to Tairua, we followed the sign to the ferry.  The Tairua to Pauanui ferry was not operating at the moment, but it certainly looks like it would be a nice little trip.

Tairua to Pauanui Ferry

Back at camp later in the day we had quite a fright,  we were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and Gemma was with us, sniffing around the grass and trees while safely on her harness and lead.  Another camper’s dog, running loose, came barking and running over to Gemma, baled her up against the fence  and goodness knows what would happened if we had not been outside too.  Luckily Robin intervened, shouted out to the owner, managed to pick the dog up by his harness, and gave the owner a piece of his mind, as I did too.   It was all rather upsetting.   All campers should be aware of the rules which clearly state all dogs should be kept on a lead, as we do with our cat too, no excuses.