Exploring The North

Well, it was time for my first mini solo journey before starting work. Well, almost solo! I decided to use Stray (hop on/off bus company) to meet some fellow like-minded travellers and to share the experience with.

First stop was Goat Island, a marine reserve on the east coast. The opportunity to do some snorkelling was on offer but I declined. For three reasons 1) The recent storm 2) Visibilty was zero and 3) the fact that the NZ driver/guide wasn't even putting his big toe in the water! Nevertheless we could see blue maomoa, huge snapper and stripey parove...so I didn't feel completely cheated.

After that we grabbed some lunch, stopped off to see some huge kauri trees and headed for the Bay of Islands (so-called cos of its 150 or so islands). So base camp for the next few days was to be Paihia.

From here I did a day trip up to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach (the northern tip of NZ). On the way we stopped at Puketi Kauri Forest to check out some more trees (to be honest as exciting as it sounds it was pretty amazing to see a vast amount of these absolutely huge trees- once again I'm easily pleased!). Anyway, we moved on to do some sand boarding....absolutely brilliant fun! You had to climb about 85m (absolutley knackering but well worth it) up these vast sand dunes and then you get to fly down on a board...so good...just remember to keep your mouth shut!

By this time lunch was on the cards, so we headed down to Tapotupotu Bay. A gang of us decided it would be a good idea to play in the surf and much fun was had, although I think I may have scared a few of the older crowd when I lost my bikini! Girls, make sure you have a secure bikini or wear board shorts and surf vest!

After lunch (and regaining my dignity) we continued up Highway 1 to Cape Reigna, where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. A kodak moment was had before driving down Ninety Mile Beach. Which I would like to add is actually 90km. Whatever its length, its a pretty long beach. In fact most of my fellow travellers fell asleep...once you've seen a bit of beach you've seen a beach and 90 miles or kilometres is pretty much enough beach to last you a life time.

So the next day it was time for some more activities.... Dolphin Watching! Another early start but well worth it. We headed out into the Bay of Islands and searched for all those Flippers out there. We came across a few pods and they were so friendly! A real awe-inspiring moment. Unfortunately we didn't get to swim with them cos they had babies but to have the opportunity to see them feeding was just amazing! One was just so cute, it couldn't really swim properly and it was trying to do flips and jumps but was just too small.....cute!

In the afternoon, a few of us headed to Waitangi National Reserve for a bit of culture. We checked out the Maori Treaty House and the 35m long War Canoe, chilled out in the sunshine before a few cheeky beers in the evening!

The next day I managed to get up early to watch the sunrise (one of those drunken ideas you have!) over the Bay of Islands. Feeling a bit sleepy it was time to wake myself up with my final trip.... the Mack Attack! A jet boat trip to the Hole in the Rock... fast and wet... a definite way to cure any hangover!

...and that was my mini adventure to the Bay of Islands. Back to base and time to do some work!

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