IG: @tylerhikes
I felt The Force. It happened as I straddled a live wire meant to keep one-ton livestock at bay. Te Araroa takes you across beautiful beaches, through babbling streams, and into rolling farmlands. I was at a property line in Kerikeri when The Force of voltage pulsed through me so shockingly that I almost released my dark side. Yup, I tripped an electric fence right between my thighs. Welcome to New Zealand!
I landed in Auckland on Wednesday, December 15th. Immediately upon reaching the terminal I had to make my way though customs. "Is this really you?" the agent wavered, unsure whether he should let a bearded Tyler Socash enter his country, or not. "Yeah that's totally me," I responded nonchalantly. "...These are not the droids you're looking for," I thought. "...OK! Kia Ora, enjoy New Zealand!"
Working my way towards baggage claim, I spotted the two things that I needed: an outlet adapter (the plug-ins are different in NZ), and a sleeve of Tim Tams. These chocolate delicacies tasted so good! I had officially arrived.
The next bit happened in a blur. Get downtown via public transit. Find an i-Site. Book a bus ticket to Kaitaia. Purchase a Department of Conservation Hut Pass. Buy fuel. Buy groceries.
In need of some downtime, I entered a café and struck up a conversation with a really nice Colombian girl. I get on a bus. I met a nice Kiwi girl named Lisa. I learned some NZ slang including my need to achieve, "squad goals." Met 3 guys from Europe. They have full-sized guitars and pillows affixed to their packs. Took 4 hitches to get to Cape Reinga. Suddenly I'm walking down the 90 Mile Beach. I'm swimming in the Tasman Sea. ...I felt something, a presence I hadn't felt since... The PCT! I'm back in the zone!
But something happened in the outside world. A particular movie was released. When I discovered that the quaint historical town of Kerikeri had a cinema, I was convinced that I had to go. I had to watch a movie that would transcend expectations and take me into the cosmos. Welcome to my unabashed juxtaposition of Star Wars Episode VII and Te Araroa.
***SPOILER WARNING***
If you have not walked Te Araroa yet, these thru-hike reveals will absolutely upset you.
Luke Skywalker has vanished. The opening credits inform us that everyone is looking for him, including the new baddies, THE FIRST ORDER.
I am missing. 2015 marks the first year that I have not been home for Christmas.
In one of the opening scenes, Poe Dameron, ace X-Wing fighter pilot for the Resistance, is given a highly coveted map divulging Luke's whereabouts.
I use maps all the time on Te Araroa.
During the first battle, one of the Stormtroopers becomes self-aware. This Stormtrooper, named Finn, assists Poe Dameron's escape from the clutches of the First Order. Unfortunately, their spacecraft crashes. Poe is feared dead.
I saw someone crash on 90 Mile Beach...
Rey, the new protagonist, is introduced. She's awesome, and much like a young whipper snapper from Tatoine, she had a humble upbringing as an orphan. The Force is strong in her.
All protagonists need sage advice from a mentor. Surprise surprise! Han Solo happens to return and seems to embrace Rey as an understudy. While evading the First Order in the Millennium Falcon, Rey, Han, Chewbacca, and Finn develop solid chemistry. It's a fun ride, and as the viewer you feel a sense of kinship with this space family.
After hiking through the Northland's Forest Tracks, I met my new trail family.
Kate and I pose with Stormtroopers.
Introducing my Te Araroa Trail Family...
Kate from New Zealand. Kate is our fearless leader. She's our Rey. Whether it's on the trail galvanizing the troops or in towns organizing our needs and fending off creepy old dudes at hostels, we count on Kate to keep us on track.
Tobi from Germany. Tobi Wan Kenobi. Tobi has an affinity for the ocean and encourages us to swim as much as possible. He's very friendly, and an excellent body surfer.
Reyne from New Zealand. Reyne is our smooth-talking, handsome, and cavalier member. Everybody loves Reyne. He's our Han Solo.
Sebastian from France. Seb is our romantic Frenhman with a wonderful accent. His strength to push through a serious IT-band injury is admirable. Due to his height, we've got our Chewbacca.
Otis from the USA. With an Appalachian Trail thru-hike under his belt, we've got a venerable veteran in the group. Otis is our Jedi Master planner. Therefore, he's our Luke Skywalker.
Rebekah from New Zealand. When I told Rebekah that she reminded me of BB-8, the lovable, animated droid who steals the show, she exalted, "Yes! I want to be him!!!"
Manuela from Switzerland. Without Manuela, we wouldn't have celebrated Christmas. She pulled the group together to play games on Christmas Eve, and kicked the party off with style. Manuela didn't enjoy the mud in the Herekino Forest, much like a Princess, so I deem her to be our wonderful Princess Leia.
Tim from New Zealand. Tim is funny. Tim is our favorite. Tim is a five-time New Zealand Rollerblading Champion. One night Tim hobbled into our beach camp at 10pm after catching a lucky hitch from "the coolest 11-year old in the world." Tim has a commanding presence, and embraces the Dark Side. He's Kylo Ren.
When the gang is together, we do amazing things. We sea kayak, we have drinking game parties, we eat at McDoanld's together, we laugh our way down road walks, we stumble across dotterel eggs on the beach, we body surf together, we get lucky hitches.
By myself, I went fast. I nearly hiked 40km per day! Like Finn, I was on the run. I was chasing my dreams down the trail as fast as possible. But, like Finn, I changed my plans to be with the group. I'm going slower, and having fun. I'm making best friends. I love these guys!!
The movie ends with another Death Star, an obligatory trench run, and a lightsaber battle. The last seconds are very powerful. It's very emotional. The elusive Luke Skywalker takes off his hood, staring intently at our new hero, Rey. It's such a cool scene. No words are exchanged, but you feel Luke's pain. You should go see this movie!
I rank this movie as a 10/10. It's one of the greatest movies I've ever watched.
I hope there's a hooded character waiting for me at Bluff, the bottom of the South Island. I hope to be called to another great adventure. So far, this one has been incredible, with the people enhancing the walk. Deciding to make sacrifices to go on a long walk has been my awakening. The Force that literally pulsed through me in Kerikeri aligns with the metaphorical Force I feel while thru-hiking.
...May The Force be with you! (But far, far away from your private parts.)
Very nice post pictures and tour for best tour in USA you can hire our taxi services known as Detroit airport taxi .
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