Last evening unfolded in one of those quiet, meaningful ways that travel sometimes gifts you when you least expect it. Our thoughtful landlords and new friends, Dave and Eing, insisted on taking us out to dinner, and from the moment we set off, it felt less like an evening out and more like a continuation of the kindness they have shown us since the day we arrived. Early on, we decided we’d pick up the bill.
They picked us up as we headed to the town of Mangawhai, where they took a short detour to show us the popular beach. Tomorrow, we’ll share those photos. By 6:15, we entered the Mangawhai Tavern, a familiar local spot that hums with easy conversation and the comfortable pace of a community that knows one another well. There were singles, couples, and families, many with their dogs in tow. I always enjoy visiting restaurants where dogs are allowed outdoors.
The light was already beginning to soften as evening settled in, and there was that relaxed, end-of-day feeling that makes conversation flow a little more freely. We slid into our seats at a large outdoor picnic table, where staff warmly greeted us as we ordered our beverages. Tom ordered beer, and I ordered a glass of Malbec, one of my favorites. In moments, we had our menus in hand, and I perused the menu to see what would work for my eating style. My dish, as shown in the photo, was gluten-free and mostly complied with my way of eating. Tom decided on the delicious fish and chips, as did Dave and Eing.
Tom, ever discreet, quietly made his plan known to the waiter. He asked that the bill for the evening’s drinks and dinner be brought to him when the time came. It was a small gesture, but an important one. After all, Dave and Eing had already done so much for us, and it felt right to return even a fraction of that generosity. Tom gave me a glance and a subtle nod, the universal sign of “it’s handled,” and we settled back into the evening, unaware that events were already moving in a different direction.
Unbeknownst to us, Dave had his own plan in motion. Somehow, between conversation and laughter, he managed to get to the waiter after Tom had talked to him, well before the rest of us had any idea what was happening. By the time plates were cleared and the easy, satisfied pause that follows a good meal arrived, the bill had already been paid in full. There was no discussion, no opportunity to protest. Dave had quietly and decisively taken care of everything.
When we realized what had happened, we were genuinely touched. It wasn’t just the meal itself, though that alone would have been generous. It was the intention behind it, the effortless way they gave without making it feel transactional or performative. Just kindness, offered simply and sincerely.
This dinner was only one more example of the warmth Dave and Eing have shown us throughout our entire stay. Not long after we arrived, Dave read one of my posts where I mentioned, almost in passing, that we had run out of rice. The very next day, he arrived with a fresh bag of jasmine rice, placed it on the counter, and brushed it off as though it were nothing. Those are the moments that linger, the ones that remind you how deeply people can listen and how thoughtfully they can respond.
They invited us to two parties during our time here, welcoming us into their circle and introducing us to friends who immediately made us feel included. Christmas Day dinner was another highlight, one of those dinners that carries a sense of belonging far beyond the holiday itself. We were guests, yes, but never made to feel like outsiders. Conversations flowed easily, stories were shared, and laughter filled the room in that unmistakable way that only happens when people are truly comfortable together.
What we appreciated just as much as their generosity was their company. Dave and Eing have a way of making time slow down, of being fully present in conversation. The friends we met at the parties carried that same easy warmth, and by the end of each gathering, it felt less like meeting new people and more like reconnecting with familiar ones.
Travel often introduces us to beautiful and memorable places, landscapes, and experiences. But every so often, it introduces us to people who leave an even deeper impression. Dave and Eing are firmly in that category. Their thoughtfulness, their generosity, and their genuine interest in making us feel welcome have shaped our time here in ways we will carry with us long after we’ve moved on.
Last evening at the Mangawhai Tavern was about far more than dinner. It was about generosity given freely, friendships formed unexpectedly, and the quiet reminder that sometimes, the best parts of travel have nothing to do with distance at all.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, February 6, 2016:
