We wake up to have coffee and breakfast, trying to get through almost all of the grocery supplies we purchased to be here

The orchard isn’t too far away from Whangārei but it’s a decent walk and, with our luggage, it would probably be best to get a lift; sadly, all the people who might be able to give us a lift are working on the orchard today so don’t have time

After getting a few outrageous quotes from taxi companies – of $90 for the 18 km drive – we decide to give hitching a go ????

We walk in that right direction and it takes about 25 minutes for a kind gentleman to stop and offer us a ride, even though he was driving the other way!

Grant, the driver, was a kind man local to the area and spoke about enjoying riding his motorbike on trips around the world, including Europe

He had spent a long time in Israel and recommended us a place to get a good cup of coffee – actually awarded the best coffee in the Northland for this year – so we take him up on it

Fat Camel Cafe sorts us a couple of flat whites

Following this, we head over to Motel Six to check in, drop off our bits and have a shower – the last couple days at the orchard, the gas ran out so we didn’t have hot water!

We then wander into town via Laurie Hall Park and find Whangārei Town Basin hosting the Saturday Artisan Market

This area also has the interestingly designed Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery, the Claphams National Clock Museum with the giant sun dial and the mechanical Rolling Ball Clock

There’s a path that leads you along the Hatea River where there’s a collection of sculptures, including the Waka and Wave

We reach the Kotuitui Whitinga bridge and then turn back to see if we can find a way to Whangārei Heads from the information centre within the Whangarei Art Museum

However, we go and find out that there hasn’t been an information centre here for about three years; thankfully, the two receptionists here were friendly enough to make some suggestions themselves and tell us about an event happening this evening

We continue exploring around the centre until we find Astroboy NZ which has a happy hour on at the moment – $6 drinks!

After a couple, we go back to Motel Six to change into some warmer clothes and then stumble on Beer and Loathing who also has a happy hour

Not as cheap but they also have games to play

It gets to past 6 pm so we head off to Semenoff Stadium where the event is being held – as it’s the weekend before Guy Fawkes Night, they’re hosting a Fireworks Spectacular

Hungry, we get straight to working out what are the best options for dinner with a $3 sausage sizzle from West Coast Rangers being the first choice (this is the team that our family friend from Auckland plays for!)

Next, we share a $20 three item Chinese box while watching some of the entertainment they have on

The sun starts to set (see the featured image) and we have a little time before the main event is due to start so grab a 12-pack churros to share

And finally, we get the fireworks!

It’s meant to rain very soon so we hastily head off and get near to our motel where nothing is really happening and just get back to get some rest