Travelling through New Zealand in 2015, making our way from Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo to Porirua just north of Wellington. A journey of about 4 hours on the Intercity Bus.

We could go straight through; there was a direct bus service. But instead we decided to get off the bus in Waioru.

The intercity bus stop in Waioru was listed as the Blue Duck Internet Cafe, State Highway 1. We were the only people to get off the bus in the morning, and I think the only ones to get back on in the afternoon. The Blue Duck was most definitely no longer operational.

But we got off the bus.

If you’re interested in military history (Mr T shouts “yes”), get off the bus.

If you like a cafe with a view (Lizzie T shouts “definitely”), get off the bus.

If you just want to stretch your legs and see what you can find (both of us shout “why not”), get off the bus.

Mr T spent 4 hours exploring the National Army Museum; I read a book, looked at the view, wrote a blog post and ate cake. We were both very happy we got off the bus.

We did the same travelling from Hamilton to Mount Maunganui and spent a happy afternoon drinking mead with the Hobbits at Hobbiton.

---

Travelling from Thames to Tauranga in 2019, we changed buses in Katikati and followed the haiku pathway – thanks to a lovely lady at the tourist information office, we got to wander the trail without our luggage too. I think this is one of my favourite “get off the bus” moments ever.

---

Sometimes, the plans don’t quite come together and you can’t get off the bus even if you want to… that’s definitely a liquorice panna cotta moment.

But when chance permits, it is always an adventure. You just have to hope the next bus arrives… but that’s another story!