Paddle to the island

by Poonam Gill (United Kingdom (Great Britain))

I didn't expect to find New Zealand

I met Jens in a hostel in Wellington and we hit it off straight away. So well in fact that we had met up a couple of times in different places on the North Island, making our way separately up to the Cape. He was kind and easy going, a free spirit escaping the dark winter of Sweden, with a handsome beard and infectious smile to match. Three weeks later and we were both in the Bay of Islands, the last stop on my tour of the islands and the beginning of Jen’s one-year kiwi adventure. I had invited him to spend Christmas with myself and some friends who had flown over from Hawaii to celebrate my birthday with me. We spent the next few days meeting up when we could. Jens would go play golf while my friends and I explored the area in a small blue rental car. We would take walks in the kauri forest and swim in the waterfalls. On the last day of the trip we choose to rent out kayaks and explore the islands by paddle. It’s our last opportunity to enjoy some time on warmer waters, so I drop Jens a text to let him know our plan. He is out somewhere playing golf but I’m keen to meet him one last time so we can say goodbye. With our life jackets on, we paddle through the waves onto the open sea. It feels great to feel the salty air and the cool sea breeze on my face and skin. We scout an island and make our way there, docking our kayaks so we can take a swim in the clear water. Our next island is further away, but by this time I lose my enthusiasm for paddling. I blame this partly on the sun hiding behind the clouds, but I’ve mainly lost interest because my thoughts are elsewhere. I decide to make my way back, hopeful that Jens has replied to my message that he is free to meet for dinner. As I slowly turn my kayak around, I am completely astonished by what I see. “What are you doing here” I mutter in absolute disbelief. “I’ve come to kayak with you”. It’s Jens. He’s in a kayak and paddling towards me. “But I’m making my way back now. How did you even find us?”, I reply. “I saw three kayaks from the beach and made my way”. You can’t go back, we’re going to the island”. “No I am not, I’m going back”. We paddle to the island.