Monday 7th February

Well today was supposed to be a free day but we could not resist taking the “optional extra” tour to the most northerly point of New Zealand.

We were picked up by coach at 0720hrs (yes I know that it is almost unbelievable for us to be ready at that time) and after a few stops to pick other people up, we set off for the Puketi Kauri Forest.  We were given a fifteen minute stop to go for a walk around the tropical rain forest at Manginangina on a board walk.  The area has a large number of the ancient Kauri trees which are huge; not as big as the Giant Redwoods in Canada but still very impressive, and cycads from the age of the dinosaurs

Following the Pacific Ocean coast line we drove past Whangaroa Harbour and on to Mangonui.  From there we headed inland to Awanui and our coffee break at The Ancient Kauri Kingdom.  Here the craftsmen carve the finest range of furniture, arts and crafts from the stumps and boles of ancient Kauri Trees that have been dug out of the swamp.  There were some stunning pieces to buy but at a stunning price.  The centre piece of the show room is a 50-tonne trunk of Kauri which has been internally carved to form a staircase to the second floor of the showroom.

We drove north from there to Houhora, which is a beautiful sheltered harbour and only a half hour drive from Awanui.  Because of the tidal conditions we had to have an early lunch here, well we don’t normally eat lunch at 11am!  The coach company had organised a Barbecue for our lunch, and even though the steak was good it was not a patch on Paul’s. 

North again skirting the edge of Parengarenga Harbour where the white silica sand bar which forms the southern peninsula of the harbour was particularly dazzling.

Finally we reached Cape Reinga, the most northerly point of New Zealand.

 We were given 40 minutes at the Cape and advised to walk down to the Light House and not stop to take photos but to take the photos on the way back up which would give us excuses to stop and catch our breath.  Excellent advice and we all managed to get back to the coach on time.  The Maoris regard Cape Reinga (or Te Rerenga Wairua in Maori) as the departing place of the Maori spirits as it is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.  The original lighthouse, which was manned, was at Cape Maria Van Dieman which is slightly south west of Cape Reinga.  The new light house is an automatically operated one, operated from Wellington, and can be seen 50km away.

From the Cape we drove South on the Tasman Sea Coast to the Te Paki Quick Sand Stream.  The stream has to be negotiated with caution by the drivers.  It was here that we stopped and Ian had the experience of sand boarding, like tobogganing but on very high sand dunes.  The climb to the top of the dune was very daunting and Linda resisted the urge to have a go!!

After that we experienced the highlight of the day when the coach drove onto Ninety Mile Beach.  When we were told that the coach would actually drive along the beach and the beach is recognised as a highway we thought that we would be driving along the dry sand.  No way, we were driving through the ocean.  The driver had to time his journey on the beach to get around one headland which can only be negotiated when the tide has gone out, hence the very early lunch!

After the headland the driver stopped the coach and we had time on the beach and time to paddle in the Tasman Ocean.  We took photos for a group of three profoundly deaf people who were on the trip and they took photos of us.  They were thrilled that we tried to communicate with them. 

Finally off the beach and back to Awanui for the driver to wash the salt off the coach and for us to experience our first New Zealand Ice cream.  At the recommendation of the driver Ian had Hokey Pokey, which is like an ice cream version of a crunchie bar and Linda had boysenberry.  The ice creams were huge and very much appreciated after such a wonderful afternoon.  The driver told us that there were only two kinds of ice cream, good and better!  When I asked which Hokey Pokey was he said both as you had to have one in each hand!!

The driver, Wally, was incredible.  He kept up a running commentary all day, describing geographical and historical features as well as pointing out wildlife (including rhea and wild turkey); he also sang Maori songs to us and even demonstrated the sand boarding techniques.  He was fantastic on his and came down the dune so fast that he shot off the end and into the quick sand stream!  One soggy driver but he dried out very quickly in this heat.

Back to the hotel at 1800hrs for Linda to write the blog and for Ian to go off taking MORE photos.  He is in seventh heaven!!  Back now with some bird photos!!

On our journey today we crossed a bridge called “miti miti bridge”, pronounced meety meety and it was where two streams met!

Ian also saw an establishment with a sign outside.  The sign said “whantawhiwhi”.  We can only guess what the building was!