Mamma mia - it's Paihia

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We set off early this morning (7am) after a 12 hour sleep and after stopping at the supermarket for supplies and a cool bag to carry them in we visited the Wharangei falls which were really quite stunning. After a short walk around the falls we drove a further 50km east out to Wharangei Heads along the coastal route and went off for a stroll along Ocean Beach, which was the icest beach I have seen in NZ yet. The only beach as well, but still by far the nicest so far! 😊

After witessing some local school kids boarding down the sand dunes we headed back to the car we made breakfast on the back seat and sat watching the waves crash against the prsitine shoreline!

We drove a further 100km up the coast to see some glow worms and take a tour of the caves followed by a small bush walk back to the car. They were pretty cool, but unfortuynately was difficult to take any decent photos, a) because I am rubbish with the camera in the dark and b) because the glow worms just weren't glowing enough.

We continued up the coast and have just arrived in Paihia where I type to you today. As we've just arrived we haven't done anything yet other than shower and check in, but as the temperatures about 25 C we're off into town (its on the coast) to have a mooch and treat ourselves to an ice cream.

Pictures of all of the past few days to follow (forgot my bleeding USB cable didn't I), so will need to find a cafe I can use the memory card via my laptop.

Anyhow, best be off, before the sun goes away!

Hope all is well for everyone back home.

Love

Mike & Caroline

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Photos

Aotorea - National Emblem of NZ
We think that's what it is anyway. It's nice and pretty and we saw it whilst walking around the base of Whangerei Falls