North Island New Zealand Part 1: Adventures in a Spaceship

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After a short stop in Arica and Santiago in Chile we boarded the flight to New Zealand. Leaving on May 4th we crossed the international dateline, missed out May 5th, and arrived early morning on May 6th about 4am. First stop Auckland and new haircuts before picking up our Spaceship (or Campervan and home for the next 38 days) and heading out on the road!

We spent most of the first week in Northlands (NZ is bigger than we thought!) Bay of Islands, Russell (first capital of NZ) and Paihia. We picked up Fish n Chips NZ style in Mangonui, with Mussels, Oysters and Blue Fish washed down with a 'handle' of Speights (good beer that). Then working our way all the way up to Cape Reinga, NZs most northerly point, and 90 mile beach, Tapotupotu Bay, and massive sand dunes. Back down the west coast we visited Opononi and the Kauri Forests, NZ most ancient trees, and then spent the weekend in Piha, West Auckland, surf spot and weekend retreat for city types where we picked mussels off the beach and cooked them for dinner, fantastic!

We stayed mostly in the DOC (Department of Conservation) camp sites that, although basic, were usually right on the beach or up close to some other equally amazing views. Now and again we treated ourselves to hot showers and tv in a holiday camp (luxury!), watched Coronation Street and ate Cadburys chocolate when it rained. The distances are longer than we thought and we changed our plans more than once to spend more time in the places we visited and less time on the road. NZ is beautiful and different yet reminiscent of home. The people are friendly and chatty and we decided quite quickly to try to see less but do more. The weather is a factor as it approaches winter and we head further south!

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Photos

Sky Tower Auckland
The view from our window in the Surf n Snow Backpackers

Beneath the Sky Tower
We were woken at 8am to the sounds of someone base jumping from the Tower!

New Hairdo
Like she just stepped out of a salon (and then visited Auckland marina).

Wine please
and then straight into the nearest bar to try the famous NZ Sauvignon Blanc (yum!)

First meal in the Campervan
The locals taking a keen interest

Bay of Islands Russell beach
Louise's body but whose legs?

Raining in Russell
Very old tree, very wet me.

Bay of Islands Russell
Highlights included this seagull and cannon combo!

Cape Reinga
NZs most northerly point

Cape Reinga
it's a long way to most places.

Cape Reinga
where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific

The Spaceship!
at Tapotupotu Bay

View from inside the Spaceship
to Tapotupotu Bay

Yes I had a swim
Tapotupotu Bay

Tapotupotu Bay
We stayed the night and enjoyed a walk in the creek in the morning

Sheep photo!
a trip to NZ would not be complete without one

Sand Dunes at 90 mile beach
no sand boards but plenty other stuff to do!

Sand Dunes at 90 mile beach
like jumping up and down