Waka & a Pickled Parrot (sad tale – great hostel)
Had just one night at the Pickled Parrot backpackers (on facebook too) in Paihia which got its name from a sad reason.
It seems a previous owner had a parrot, let it loose during the day, where upon it would eat and drink with travellers and ended up being picked quite often … and pickled, despite being about preserving food, it is also another slang name for being drunk or ‘pissed’. Consequently the said parrot got aggressive and demanding more of the same and so its owner sold him. A sad tale I think.
However Rose, the current owner, does not have a parrot, drunk or otherwise, and provides a free breakfast, and three dogs who are locked away at mealtimes so travellers can eat in peace of begging brown eyes 
. This backpackers will go in my list of Northlands top 10 when I write that.
Up at 5.50am, I’m was off to spend the day with Hone Mihaka of Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys to participate in waka training to be ready for the Waitangi Celebrations. … this is a story all of its own, and now I’m off to see them arrive – dress rehearsals are over and today is Waitangi Day … New Zealand’s birthday as a nation.
More about Waitangi, the Navy, and last nights concert in another blog.
Once again many thanks to Destination Northland for helping with my itinerary and Rental Cars New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Picon) for the vehicle for this road trip: I can recommend both!
