🚗 Gisborne | The Road Less Traveled (Literally!)

My colleague warned me: "The drive to Gisborne is brutal!" Verdict? THEY WEREN’T LYING. 😱 Next time, I’m flying ✈️! 🛣️ The "Adventure" of Getting There Twisty, turny, up-down mountain roads 🏔️ (think: goat paths 🐐). Endless wilderness (not the poetic kind—just sheep, cows, and pitch-black nights 🌌). Taupo → Gisborne: Zero open shops upon arrival. Just… silence. 🏨 Emerald Hotel Spacious room + river-view balcony 🌊 (amazing value!). Downside: Passed out instantly—woke up to housekeeping knocking 🚪💤. ⏰ Downtown Sights Clock Tower: Quanzhou vibes 🏯 (but with 30,000 people max). Local curiosity: Stare at them → they’ll stare back 👀 (friendly though!). Random finds: Vintage shop with Bruce Lee posters 🥋 (why??). Tairawhiti Museum: Skip it (NZD $5 for… air?). Giant coconut tree 🥥 + baby coconut tree (photo op conquered 📸). #GisborneNZ #RoadTripNightmares #TravelFails #NZHiddenGems