I really enjoyed my visit to this BnB. I'm a newcomer to Air BnB and all my previous stays, four, had been in Hamilton. This one is in Waihi, a small town and not very crowded, I also arrived on a Sunday night, so it was extra quiet, giving the impression of a rural location. I was sent a PDF file with a booklet of what to expect, but for some reason my phone wouldn't download it, so Sabrina's husband gave me a call to clarify directions and reassure me that there was a printed copy of the booklet in the unit. The unit is quite separate from the house, about 30 metres away and the area VERY quiet, a real bonus from my point of view. It was around 8 P.M. when I arrived, so completely dark, but security lights were on to make my arrival easy. There is no paving or gravel, just lawn to park on, so a light foot on the accelerator is needed not to tear up the grass. The unit is the best equipped BnB I have stayed in this far. Plenty of kitchen equipment, including a two ring bench top oven and microwave, so either a super market heat 'n' eat of take aways are easily warmed as required. A large sink/bench unit and good fridge, plus plenty of kitchen tools. I particularly liked the catering. Some cooking oil, a very nice muesli, not too sweet and some Black Raspberry and vanilla preserve and manuka honey as well. They would have been quite expensive supplies and I thought they showed real care and thought for guests. The bed was VERY comfortable. There is also a firepit outside the unit which would be lovely to sit around the glowing embers with your mate and a gas BBQ should you wish to cook. I was on my own, so didn't use either of those.
In the morning I woke to a fat old tui singing in the trees around and he provided musical accompaniment while I went to the toilet and showered. The toilet is outside and the shower as well. The toilet of course is roofed over, but the shower is not. It was quite a novel set up and I loved it. The shower has a paved stone floor with wooden duck boards and a little bit of moss in places between the stones and several delicate little fern fronds growing around the edge that obviously do not mind a few soap splashes and enjoy the caress of the warm water that has cooled enough by the time it falls from head height to foot level not to damage them. It was a little chilly and that made the shower even more enjoyable, although it was difficult to tear myself out of the warm water! They have three cats, two Kuni Kuni pigs, several large goldfish and a couple of chooks (hens). I had a little meander around the garden to visit the animals and the animals are clearly very well looked after. I met Sabrina, who is from Brazil and her husband came out as well. I tend to shy away from contact with the hosts except as required, but had a very easy and entertaining conversation with them. They have only been there about a year, so lots more to do yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and talking to them and hearing of their plans for the future. Would I stay there again? Most definitely and while I am absolutely certain most New Zealanders would enjoy the place, if I was an overseas visitor, as well as being a comfortable place to stay, I think it would also be a good way to experience the real NZ. If I was from overseas, I would make a point to book here. Thanks to both my hosts, particularly Sabrina. I hope to see you again.