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Published: April 1st 2007
Awesome glow worms
This pic took several attempts as we had to stay completely still for about 20 seconds but it really shows what it was like. The pose was set-up - just so you know!After a day back in Auckland we hired a car and headed off on a road trip.
Day 1 Our first stop was the Coromandel Peninsula, about 3 hours from Auckland. After having lunch at Coromandel Town we headed for Mercury Bay. Our hostel was lovely and overlooked the gorgeous bay. We went on a walk along the beach to the harbour before the sunset.
Day 2 The next morning we headed down the road to Hahei beach and then went on a walk to the stunning Cathedral Cove where there are some awesome rock formations, the main one being the shape of a huge cathedral window.
We got to Hot Water Beach in time to have a nice lunch and then start digging (just Olly, really!) as the tide went out. It was amazing! A normal beach...until you dig into the sand to make your own spa pool! The water under the sand is 64 degrees - steaming hot. The only type of spa that backpackers can afford, and it was great! We had to screen the photos though as the ones of us in our swimmers are too gross to publish, we've both
Cliche pic
Every traveler seems to get a 'crazy' photo like this - so here is ours! put on a fair bit of pork which we hope to lose when we get to Fiji, away from the bakeries and quick-eat places that are far too tempting...and now that it's easter..!
After Hot Water Beach we made our way down to Waitomo. The scenery as we were driving along, as always in NZ, was beautiful. It just takes so long to get anywhere because of all of the mountains! There's flax bushes growing everywhere and obviously... millions of sheep! The clouds and sunsets are unreal!
Day 3 Up early the next morning Olly was ready for his rap, rock and raft trip. (Olly writing) My trip was a combo of abseiling, blackwater rafting, caving and rock climbing...only
slightly more adrenaline-inducing than Charlie's trip. It started with a 27m abseil into the cave stream. Then we took our tractor tyre inner-tubes upstream and then floated back down the stream in darkness looking at the amazing glow worms (blackwater rafting isn't as extreme as it sounds!). We then did a bit more floating and some walking to the end of the stream where we had a much-needed hot drink and then turned round and walked back upstream
Oooops!
It was at about here that going full pace down the steepest dune we could find didn't seem the best idea. Then I was going faster than my legs could move. Then the dune shallowed out. Then my face was planted in the sand. Then I couldn't feel my arm. Then Charlie says 'Damn, I didn't get that on camera'. Nice, eh? going through some pretty small spaces on the way. Finally, we all had to climb up to the top of the cave. It was a really good trip.
I, on the other hand opted to do EXTREME glow worming!!! I went on the same glow worm tour that David Attenborough filmed for BBC 1. It was unreal, being in a cave full of glow worms is like being surrounded by stars. We went on a boat trip through the glow worm cave which was so nice - we all felt like we were in Santa's grotto! I also went to another cave with some huuuge staligmites and staligtites, and also saw some bones of the extinct giant Moa bird.
After our trips we drove as far north as possible and managed to make it to Whangarei Falls where we stayed the night.
Day 4 We left early and headed up to the Bay of Islands. When we got to Paihia we went on a speed boat ride out to the 'Hole in the Rock'. The Bay of Islands is a beautiful place. We stopped off at Waitangi before heading on to Henderson Bay to our hostel.
Free spa!
Taking it easy on Hotwater Beach. Sometimes it got too hot, but then a rogue wave washed in to cool things down. We checked in and then zoomed up to the far north of NZ. We went to the giant sand dunes which were awesome (except when Olly ran down too quickly and buggered over, falling face-first into the sand, nearly breaking his neck!) and then up to Cape Reinga. This is the most northerly point and is said by Mauri's to be the place where our world and the spirit world meet. It's also the point where the Tasman sea and the Pacific oceans meet, creating a good wave show. We saw the most beautiful sunset ever.
Day 5 We had a massive journey ahead of us for the last day. We went to 90 mile beach and then headed for a Kauri forest where we saw the largest Kauri tree in NZ. It was huuuuge (7m around the trunk). We made it back to Auckland in time for bed!
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Mum
non-member comment
Poignant pics.
Even from the photos of Cape Reinga you get a sense of serenity and yes I can see the angel.It just seems so poignant. The sunset is superb and Dad printed the photos and showed Chloe, auntie Mel and Charlie and they could all see the angel too. Thanks for capturing a special time and place. Missing you both lots. Love Mum xxxxx