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Day 3 & 4--Pies, thermal pools, and another dozen smokes

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For the sake of brevity, James recounts days three and four of the journey as one conversation. Besides, it was mostly driving.

Welcome to New Zealand, Dakin. First, let's get some breakfast. Eggs bennie? Let's go to 39 Cafe in Ponsonby. Care for a cigarette? Good. So do I.


Ah, here we are. Well, it's good to see ya, buddy. Yes, the cigarettes are good, too. Yes, I have a pack. Oh, you do, too? How funny! Let's sit outside, then, because it's illegal to smoke in public here. No, I'm not making it up. No, let's not 'prove it.'


How are your eggs? Yeah, mine are perfect, too. Another cup of coffee? What? As long as you can have another cigarette? Well, okay. Yes, I'll have another one. Do your pupils hurt?


So you want to know where we're going? Good. Here's the plan: we drive to Paeroa to drink some L&P and eat pies. No, not blueberry pies; meat pies. Yes, they are the yum--yum as. Then we'll drive over to Rotorua and find Kerosene creek. What? Oh, I'm glad you asked. Imagine a spring-fed creek winding through a forest of fern and cabbage trees. Now imagine that creek as hot as new bath water and you have Kerosene creek. Huh? Can we go tonight? Well, there's a catch. People are kinda prone to getting attacked at night. No, no, it'll be fun--we'll just to tomorrow morning. Trust me.


Here we are in Rotorua--wow, what a drive. Shall we hit a pub? Yes, we can sit outside, why do you--oh, the cigarettes. Yes. I understand.


Hungry? Pate? What's this--oh, it's bacon. They put bacon IN the pate . . . that's interesting. Yes. I want more, too.


Good night.


Good morning!


Right, Kerosene creek should be around here somewhere . . . could you take a look at the map. No, the other map. No, it's upside down. No, I don't want a ciagrette . . . not yet. Oh, here it is. Pretty, yes?


I look like a giant raisin. I think it's time to get out. Plus, it's a long way to Taranaki.


I told you. Christ. I'm exhausted. Cigarette? Could you believe that twat in the Prius passing us AND the semi on the blind corner? One second longer and he would have been a hybrid smear on the highway. Yeah, he was thinking globally, but he was acting like a local asshole.


Wow! Dinner is great! We've had bacon for every meal!


Good night. My teeth are angry with me.


Good morning. Ouch. My teeth are brain bullies.


Next stop, Wellington!


Look at the lovely scenery!


Well, here we are! Welcome to my home. I need a cigarette.

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