Top of New Zealand

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Today was the last of the touristy things I'll do on this holiday. I took the tour up to Cape Reinga the very northern tip of the country. The best part was driving along the 90-Mile Beach. Actually it is made of two beaches and the main one was 64 miles (104 kilometres) and that is where our bus traveled. Beautiful! I wish I had my own car...not my real one, but a decent one to rent. You have to make sure you go during low tide, otherwise you might be swept out to sea or the car could be buried in wet sand.
We stopped to sand surf. Funny...I didn't really care what was involved in this bus trip as long as I got to the top and drove along the '90 mile beach'. Who knew I'd be boogybording down giant sand dunes. Hell of a hike up, and make sure you do not smile or laugh on the way down otherwise you eat a lot of sand.
The weather was changeable...sun, rain, sun, hail, sun, cold wind, run, more rain and hail. I got soaked returning from the lighthouse at Cape Reinga. This is a sacred space for the Maori. They believe that souls come here to leap off of Earth and fly to heaven. There is a sacred tree, this one living tree amongst the rocks and waves, where Maori believe that souls climb and make the big leap towards heaven.
The walkway towards the Cape has a short tunnel with flute music to welcome visitors. When you see the tree and the steep cliffs and the raging meeting of the Tasmanian Sea with the Pacific Sea, you begin to feel the energy here.
We went to local museum about gum digging which was interesting but I didn't want to be outside to listen to the history. I took photos so I'd remember later.
Then we went to very overpriced art gallery where wood turners create furniture and art from 50,000 year old trees that were buried in what they think was a giant tidal wave.
Finally we went to fish and chip shop (think bowl of chowder is $17, and you know the type). All in all, a good trip with interesting people on the bus and a cheerful tourguide. It was nice to sit back and watch the scenery change and not drive on the tricky roads.
The trip was 11 hours, but you can do it in 6 or 7 in your own car.

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Photos

Entering Beach
Bus turning into 90 Mile beach

North
We turned north to drive along the beach

Don't Get Stuck
Here we go! We slow down for the fresh water streams that crossed the beaches, otherwise we were flat out

Wow
Wish I was driving a really fast car here

Clams
We stopped several times, twice to search for clams (forget their name for it)

We got several
Crap, the water was cold on the toes! But we did find several

Evidence
One clam was a rare type, so we decided to put them all back (not enough for a meal for one)

Blue Jellyfish
Pretty, but do not touch

Tracks
There were several tour buses racing along the beach

Giant Sand Dunes
The adventure begins. Take everything out of your pockets if you intend to boogyboard down these dunes.

Climb
You lost me at 'climb slowly up giant dunes'

Body Weight
Trick is to keep hips at the back of board and never let go of the front. Otherwise you'll spill and sand will go everywheres....

Here I go
All the way up I'm thinking 'what the hell!?'

HeeeeHaaaaw
Yup, that's me....and I didn't fall off!

At the top
Beach towards Tasmanian Sea

Sacred Space
Flute music plays when you pass through

Landscape
Beautiful, eh?

Sacred Tree
Can you see it? Clinging to rocky outcrop