Blogs from Orewa, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Pulled stumps at 8.30am and headed to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (Te Pitowhenua/Our Nations Birthplace). We paid our entry fee and spent well over 2 hours educating ourselves in the Museum of Waitangi (Te Kongahu). The historical information of events to the current day are presented in multi-media form, photographs, interactive opportunities and physical objects. One cannot but learn. We enjoyed it immensely. The weather was becoming worse by the hour … as I’m writing this … it’s by the minute. We revised our plans … again … and heeded the advice from locals and the weather bureau and headed south … damn! Driving proved to be a focused effort as the wind tried its hardest to blow us of course a number of times. The highway was ‘chokkas’ as many had made the same decision ... read more

As an end of year function a group of 10 of us went clay pigeon shooting. It was the first time i'd ever fired a shotgun, but much to my surprise I took to it like a duck to water (I got first place - though it came down to the last shot between myself and another guy). While my friends suggested that it had something to do with the fact that I'm American and that I must have at least 10 guns at home, I suspect it was more likely that a bit of the Hazen hunting gene got passed on to me. Anyway it was a great day and I highly suggest anyone looking for a fun afternoon consider clay pigeon shooting.... read more

We left Whangarei and headed for Orewa. We decided to pass through Dargaville on the west coast because it was a mates home town who was playing rugby with us in Australia at the time. The radio told us about a huge museum that we stopped at which was great. Spent a night at Sandspit before getting to orewa where we spent anoter two nights. Passed a hot spring on the way and went for a swim. The Australia vs Ireland game was in Auckland and we caught a bus to and from the stadium. The result wasn't what we wanted. An Irish bloke we met in Orewa the first time we were at the local surf club loved it so the next time we saw him he had the biggest grin. His girlfriend was Australian ... read more

Sunday 20th February – Water Theme Developing A water based day, as we travel from Whangerei up a little further north to Kerikeri: Whangerei Run – A quick run down stream and up hill to get the day started and try to stop the onset of obesity (Simon only!). Rainbow Falls – Picnic lunch and well-earned snooze by Rainbow Falls (see pic) near Whangerei. Water Garden – Freedom camping(ish) at the Taraire Water Garden, after a tour of said garden and connected bush walk – 85 year old owner (Aubrey) emigrated from Eastbourne in 1952! Monday 21st February – Go North Young Man Having talked to the locals we abandoned plans to return south, to the Coromandel peninsular, and decided to strike out for the far north tip of North Island: Beautiful Bays – A slow ... read more

The flight from Papette to Auckland was 5 hours, departing at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday and arriving at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, crossing the International Date Line. Customs in Auckland was almost a nightmare as so many passengers arrived on different flights at about the same time. New Zealand is very serious about things like plants, seeds, fruits and nuts. Every bag is x-rayed. We rented a car (they drive on the wrong or left side of the road) and basically bypassed Auckland, a city with two harbors, for the small beach town of Orewa in the heart of the Hibiscus Coast on the Tasman Sea. The Waves on the beach was our home for the next two days. The beach is long and wide with great sand and good surf...perfect for walking, surfing, wind and ... read more