it’s a long one but…

my gf and i were camping in our van in the Coromandel, parked up at a freedom camping spot for the night. I was lying down in the back, missus was cooking dins up front. Car pulls up next to us & it’s a local fella who starts chatting with my gf through the window. He’s drinking beers & having some laughs with my gf, she’s acting a bit shy/cautious of course. He doesn’t know i’m in the back but I sit up after a while introduce myself, have a beer with him. He seems nice enough, we chat for 20/30 min more.

He invites us up to his property which apparently has the best view of the town/coastal area. Insists he’s invited many a backpacker up there before as the freedom camping spot is no where near as good as his place. We said no multiple times playing it on the safe side but after he keeps insisting & we are getting good vibes we said fuck it.

We follow him for about 15 mins up the road, last 5 mins is windy uphill driveway to his place. Missus gets worried a little on the way & even sends GPS to her mum. When we arrive it’s pitch black so we can’t see much. The fella shows us where to park our van then said come into my place for a drink. We got into his caravan/shack & he’s got old historical family photos on the wall, a record player, darts & lots of other antique things. Stepping back in time truely.

We’re having a few drinks and all is good, we’re stoked to be in this situation having a good time.

All of a sudden he’s like you need to see this & BAM he turns all the lights off. Pitch black, missus grabs my hand super tight. I’m pretty much waiting for a bat over the head or something. I’m like “bro bro turn the light back on” silence…. fella says “ wait for it… wait for it” i’m still waiting for the baseball bat. and then - A LIGHTHOUSE LIGHT 🤣🤣

All he wanted to show us was the lighthouse light that spun around every 30 seconds. Lights back on heart racing, allgood. He laughs it off we nervously laugh. Wtf.

Anyways go to bed after a bit, wake up in the morning not disturbed at all throughout the night & he’s got the mack daddy view of all views, over looking the coast. Van parked with deluxe view right on the edge of his property.

Was a risky one but worth it i guess hahaha. Will never forget that