Golden Bay Hideaway

House Trucking It

Pippy McCurdy
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

A hippie house-truck perched on a hillside overlooking the deep blue of Wainui Bay and inlet is a great place to be. The house truck  must surely have really been around since the hippie era. Inside it is  relaxed, well-equipped, comfortable. The truck that it is perched on certainly looks ancient -  I am no vehicle expert but surely it's no spring chicken. Nevertheless I'm not here for the driving. I'm here for the view, the outside bath, the forested surroundings and the nostalgia. And the hippie house truck delivers on all fronts.

The hippie house truck belongs to the Golden Bay Hideaway, which offers several other accommodation options as well including the Little Greenie - awarded 9 stars as NZ's most energy efficient home in 2009. Golden Bay Hideaway operates completely on green principles , with its emphasis on re-use , re-cycle, and in the case of the hippie house truck, restore.

In the house-truck  heating is primarily  a wood burner, the toilet is composting. But comfort is not lacking. In fact the bed with its view out over the bay is excellent. Added to this, the sound system has six speakers; the outdoor bath has plenty of hot water;  and there are even grounds for the coffee plunger. (This is in fact surprisingly unusual, - even in relatively expensive accommodation.)

With its oak panelled walls, its peace sign on the door, its stained glass windows, and its CD selection featuring Janis Joplin, Cat Stevens and Don McLean to name a few, the hippie house truck serves as a reminder as to why the sixties is the decade voted most popular to return to in  the past hundred years.  Not surprising at all really. This is a great place to stay.

The Lighthouse Island Bay

  Island Bay Lighthouse

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Island Bay is a small bay on the south coast of the North Island. With its fleet of small fishing boats moored close to the shore, it is picturesque and agreeable whether for swimming, strolling, fishing, or jogging. If your preference is to relax with a glass of wine and gaze at the often beautiful sunrises and sunsets, then the lighthouse is the place for you; - and it makes a fascinating place to spend a night.

 The lighthouse is a replica - not an original lighthouse, - but to be honest it is hard to tell it is not the real thing. Tall, thin, and hexagonal, its walls lean in to create ever-reducing floor plates. With a kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, a bedroom on the second floor and the 'viewing lounge" at the top, it really has everything you could need.

The stairs are steep and narrow; - it is built for grown up visitors, not children  But for something different as a stay for two, you will have no regrets. This is an unusual, interesting and unique place to spend a night and lots of little touches make it rather special. There are chocolates by the bed; a newspaper is provided - how strange that so few places do this! There is also a delicious choice of breakfast provisions provided.

Island Bay Lighthouse is a great  place to visit and if you get up in time there is every chance you will catch a wonderful sunrise across the Bay. But if getting up early is not your thing, you will find that the sunsets across the Bay can be equally spectacular too!

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/