Sonja’s AirBnB at Kawakawa is a delight. Staying here was much more like visiting friends than staying at a typical AirBnB. Sonja and her husband Sen welcomed me into their home and offered lots of helpful advice about how to enjoy the area. Their house is filled with wonderfully eclectic artworks. I even had a colourful corrugated iron sculpture by renowned NZ artist Jeff Thomson hanging in the wall of my bedroom! My bed was warm and comfortable and the room quiet, with a window that looked on lovely lush greenery at dawn. The kitchen had everything I needed to make a full meal: in fact, I cooked a toast while there, with Sen showing me everything I needed.
Staying at Sonja’s place was a refreshingly authentic experience - cheap, (1/3 the price if a motel room) cheerful and interesting.