Its a good thing we bought a car we can sleep in..... We decided that the 3 days we have until we get our keys to our new place that we would just drive to a couple of spots on the Bay of Plenty and just see what all the fuss is about. We got into Tauranga at 830pm or so and got denied at every backpackers and since we are bringing back the cheap knapps, and don't want to pay for a hotel we just crashed in the back of the Vectra. We went to a grocery store and bought a single sheet set and a fleece blanket and made quite the palace in the back. Though not a move everyone may choose to take, we did pick a great spot, right on the water and next to a TRAIN TRACK!!!!! After the first train went by at 11:00pm, while we were sipping wine from the bottle and just enjoying our time together, Laura looks at me and says "will that happen all night?" I said "I hope not..." Boy was I wrong, 6 trains later and one at 630 am for a perfect wake up call, we had a good nights rest and went about our day of hiking Mount Maunganui and sitting in the salt water hot pools at the base of the mount. Another beautiful setting to spend a few days in, even if we continue to sleep in the car.
See above picture for the view from HOSTEL DE KNAPP.