Dawn's Motorhome, Mapua, New Zealand

January 2-6, 2016

We booked Dawn's motorhome in Mapua because it was the closest 'bach' we could find to Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park. Having lived in our own RV, we were looking forward to trying the New Zealand variety, this one a converted Japanese Toyota Coaster city bus.

 As always, click on any image to see it larger and in higher resolution

Our home for 5 days, a Toyota Coaster motorhome in Dawn's backyard. 

Looking from the bed to the front of the coach.

Wet bathroom, with cassette toilet

Looking from front of bus back toward the bed

We really enjoyed living in the motorhome, though we discovered that cassette toilets aren't so great. It was cosy, too, but the bed a was a bit small, and since we slept crosswise, we had to crawl over one another to get to the bathroom during the night. The build quality was very good, too.

Dawn, our host and owner of the motorhome, is an interesting person. She works full time in Nelson, the nearest town, as some sort real estate manager (can't remember exactly--please forgive us, Dawn, if you read this). But, in addition to working full-time, she also operates her own bed and breakfast, with 2 bedrooms in her house, a private suite in her garage, and the motorhome we stayed in. But wait: there's more: her house sits on 12 beautiful acres, where she keeps a small herd of llamas as pets, and grows vegetables, fruit trees, and keeps ducks and chickens (they laid eggs on the door mat at the front door).

She also owns a fleet of machines to help her manage her property, including a Kubota work truck, a power chipper, and a small backhoe---she's in the middle of clearing a spot for the motorhome in the bush so that guests have a more private experience. This lady never stops...and yet she's charming and social. Here she is with her llamas:

and chatting with Leah on a walk through her gardens:

If you ever find yourself near Nelson, NZ, on the South Island, we can recommend a stay with Dawn. You can find her on the VRBO-type site, Bookabach.

Dawn's back deck, with view of distant mountains and sea. Note the wood-fired hot tub...

...which Leah took ample advantage of.

We drove down to Abel Tasman National Park several times during our stay with Dawn in Mapua. Did some light hiking on a trail along the beach. Not far from here is the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of 9 great walks in New Zealand. This one is 60 km long, and you hike from hut to hut for 4 or 5 days. Views were quite pleasing.

Hike at Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, NZ

Hike at Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, NZ

Hike at Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, NZ

Leah caught me shooting along the beach somewhere along Golden Bay

Same beach...

farther out on the beach...

We also drove to Rabbit Island, and walked on the beach:

Drove past this....what to call it?...display? No idea, no signs.

Rabbit Island beach

We also explored the shi-shi town of Nelson:

Reminded us of Boulder, Colorado

Pounamu stone, a New Zealand jade

Taking a break...

Public toilet, Nelson, NZ

One of the things we really liked about New Zealand was the public bathrooms; they were everywhere--and sometimes decorated with art. Most of the time, these bathrooms were clean, attractive, and functional. However, we experienced several which were just bizarre. They were totally automated, kind of like an Automated Teller Machine. First, the door had no knob, so you had to search around for a button. Found it? Ok, now push the button. The door slides open with a Whoosh, like something out of Start Trek. Once you step inside, a voice says, "Thank you for using the blah-blah automated toilet. You hear a clunk, then, "The door has now locked. You have ten minutes, after which the door will automatically unlock." So you do your business. Then you search around for toilet paper, but there is none. There's a dispenser, but no paper. Then you notice a button on the dispenser; you push it. You hear a whirring, then exactly 8 inches of paper drops down--very, very slowly. You realize that, at this rate, you may be awhile. Then you remember the ten minute limit. Finally you finish and you look around for a flush button--but there is none. Evidently, though, the voice has noticed that you've stood up, "The toilet will flush after you have washed your hands." Sure enough, when you put your hands under the automated faucet, you hear the flushing sound. Relieved (pun intended), you reach for the doorknob, but of course, there is no knob. You search around in the semi-dark and finally find a button. Whoosh, and the door slides open. "Thank you again for using the blah-blah automated toilet."