Surviving Cyclone Gabrielle: Unexpected Adventures in Titirangi
Cyclone Gabrielle From Space
As a solo traveler, I thought I was ready for anything. I had my backpack, my hiking boots, and my sense of adventure. Little did I know that Mother Nature had other plans for me. When Cyclone Gabrielle hit, I found myself stuck in Titirangi, a suburb Village of Auckland, with no power and no plan.
At first, I thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep. But, as the hours ticked by, I started to get restless. That's when my Aunt and Uncle suggested we go for a walk. I was a little hesitant at first, but I quickly learned that Kiwis don't let a little thing like a cyclone stop them from enjoying their day.
As we walked around the neighborhood, I couldn't help but notice the trees bending in the wind and the rain pelting my face. I felt like I was in the middle of a hurricane, which I guess you could say was true. Stubbornly my Aunt and Uncle just shrugged it off and kept on walking, pointing out the local landmarks and telling me funny stories about their neighbors. It was like a Kiwi version of “Twister”.
When the power went out, I thought it would be the end of our stay in the village, but my Aunt and Uncle had a backup plan. They broke out the camping stove and made us dinner by candlelight. It was like we were on a romantic camping trip, minus the bears and the mosquitoes.
One of the highlights of my stay was playing cards with my cousin. She introduced me to a game called "500", which is apparently a Kiwi classic. I had no idea what I was doing, but I pretended to be an expert and managed to win a few rounds. My cousin was a good sport about it, and we spent the rest of the night laughing and telling jokes. I even got to try some of their favorite snacks, like Whittakers Chocolate and Pineapple Lumps. It was like a crash course in Kiwi culture, and I loved every minute of it.
Looking back on my unexpected stay in Titirangi, I can't help but laugh. It was like a weird Kiwi version of Survivor, where the only prize was getting to know my family a little better. And even though I missed out on my chance to hike the Abel Tasman track, I gained something much more valuable - a new appreciation for the kindness and generosity of family and the Kiwi people.
So, the next time you find yourself stuck in a cyclone in a foreign country, just remember to keep your sense of humor and be open to new experiences. You never know what kind of adventures the universe has in store for you.
