We walked on the beach with our heads down. Shells and smooth rocks littered the sand. We collected shells in the past but told ourselves it would be crazy to start again on this extended trip around the world. Our little roll-on suitcases are already full. Still, we couldn’t resist looking. Then we spotted this beauty. Well, maybe we can find a little extra room in the suitcase.
We hadn’t even intended to take a beach walk. The cloudy sky called for a different walk. We consulted our map and chose a neighborhood with street names like “Kestrel Heights” and “Coral Sea”. Off we went, out the back gate and down the path to cut through Arkles Strand.
The path was lined with broken seashells.
Do you think the sign referred to our slow, simple travel style?
Once on sandy Arkles Strand, we spent a long time walking from one end to the other, adding a new shell or two or three to our pockets. Then off the beach and onto a neighborhood street, we picked up a little walking speed until we reached a storm water retention pond. Many ducks call this pond home and glide through the water happily.
The way opened for this pair.
We’ve rarely seen black swans so were delighted when one came over to check us out.
Walking in new places has led us to many happy discoveries, and one of the best in Whangaparaoa is the pedestrian walkways. Many roads are not through streets but are connected for walkers by marked paths. These paths can also provide access to beaches and parks. So, our walk that day led us down a pedestrian walkway into a large open lawn where three spur-winged plovers wandered in the distance. They flew away as we cut across the grass in search of the next walkway.
The clouds hung low and the sun blazed down as we walked on. We had become thirsty. A shopping area ahead drew us like an oasis in the desert. “A Coke float, please,” Beth ordered. We got a blank stare. No floats in New Zealand. Determined to have her coke float after a hot and long walk, Beth improvised. First, she ordered a scoop of chocolate ice cream in a very tall cup, “Yes, like the smoothie comes in, please.” Then she asked for a straw, spoon, and Coke on the side. No problem. She put it all together in the tall cup. Wow, it was delicious!
And, wow!, it had been a great day in the “slow zone”.
March 2014
simpletravelourway 
I should have read the comments on this post. We were at a café today in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. I noticed on the menu that coke, diet coke, sprite and lift, was listed twice on the menu. Once as a “soft drink” and once as a “spider”. I asked the waitress what was a “spider”. She said, oh it a soda with ice cream. Ha, I thought the answer to Beth’s question about how to order an Ice Cream Float.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081015233413AAOaGW8
By the way a “lift” is also called a Lemon Squash and I like it.
You have just made THE most important addition to our ANZAC vocabulary! Beth now knows to order a “spider.” Many thanks for that.
It sounds as if you are still having the time of your lives. Just one word of warning though, you won’t be able to bring shells into Australia, or any other natural items. Check the customs info here http://www.customs.gov.au/knowbeforeyougo/default.asp
The good news is that you will be able to get floats here, only they are called spiders.
Thanks for the warning. We suspected that but hadn’t checked yet; we’ll regret leaving our lovely beach souvenirs behind. Also, thanks for the good news about floats. “Spiders,” huh? Not even that name will deter Beth from
ordering one.
Customs rules are very strict here because we are an island and can control what comes in. That’s a good thing but it does mean we have to be careful about buying souvenirs.
You can reassure Beth that although we have lots of spiders here, she won’t find any in her drinks!