Before the big hike

I take the bus to Abel Tasman National Park. The same sign flies past several times at the side of the road: “Home Kills”. That means something like “home kills”. I have to grin. It could also be translated differently.

My last stop before the big hike really is the very last hostel before the Abel Tasman National Park. The Barn, a small farm, campsite and dorm. The last place is already 15 kilometres behind me. Chimes and flowers blowing in the wind. Birds are chirping, bees are buzzing. There’s a saying on the wall: “Life does not consist of the number of breaths we take, but of the places and moments that take our breath away.”

After a nap, I go to the beach. A UFO attacks me with death-defying vigour. The nice bird defends its nesting place, swooping down on me again and again, then abruptly turning half a metre in front of me. The sea is bright blue, thousands of sand wasps hover low over the golden-coloured beach.

My rucksack is too heavy. Of course, the web designer had to take his laptop with him into the pampas. You might forget to blog something within three days. I clear out what I don’t really need and then recharge all the batteries one last time.

Once again, I have the most beautiful office in the whole world. Some people ask: “Isn’t it hard to work on holiday?” To which I always say: “It’s wonderful to be on holiday in an office like this.” As the birds chirp, I make a few updates to various homepages as the sun goes down.

Oh yes, yesterday I bought myself an MP3 player. Customer service in New Zealand. Delicious.

Me: Does it have a free equaliser?
VK: I don’t know.
Me: Does it say that on the back of the packaging?
VK: You’d have to look it up.
Me: – Look questioningly.
VK: Opens the cupboard after a while and looks. No, there’s nothing on it. You have to download the instructions from the Internet.
Me: Can I try the player, maybe I’ll find it?
VK: Did you bring your own headphones?
Me: Not by chance.
VK: Then it won’t work.
Me: Can I at least switch it on and have a look?
VK: I’d have to charge the player first. Then it counts as used.
I’m getting annoyed; fat VK realises this.
Me: What’s the difference between this player and that one?
VK makes an effort, package-study-style. Still has no idea.
Me: Is there any player here that still comes with a mains adapter, or can all players now only be charged via USB?
VK: You can buy mains adapters separately. 90$.
I cheer. What a bargain! And I’ll take one of those funny little plastic boxes for 40$ as well. The advice was excellent, competent and very friendly, so I leave the shop a few minutes later with a new MP3 player. I call it a sense of humour. And I’ll make my next purchase online again. The advice and price are better there.