The Shining
My north of Auckland plan was to scoot up the less populated west coast via Dargaville and the Kauri forest and return via the historic east coast.
That should keep me busy for a week, and then Auckland would need to be renegotiated.
So, I’m a slow traveller. I’ll acknowledge this.
But I’m not considering heading north in the near future.
Perhaps fly to Auckland at some stage.
I need to make the most of this trip, particularly in the far north.
The hotel in Dargaville was an experience, with its massive restaurant without customers, dimly lit, matching grandiose staircase, and decent-sized bedroom complete with ancient basin.
Okay, the hotel hadn’t been cleaned since the 1970s and had the aura of Jack Nicholson and The Shining; however, the sheets were clean and well-starched.