Blogs from Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 6

Advertisement

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell April 2nd 2015

Evening everyone, this morning we went on a boat to The Bay of Islands in the Pacific Ocean and it was just stunning. It was a little chilly first thing, but when the sun came out it was hot. The water was calm, we saw some dolphins and there were people in the sea trying to swim with them, but they did'nt have much luck when we were there. The skipper then went full pelt ahead with the boat passing by islands on either side of us, telling us there are 144 islands scattered around, most of the islands are classified as recreation reserves, camping is allowed on some of them. We passed through Cape Brett Peninsula and saw Cape Brett lighthouse. We reached the main place we were aiming for and that was The Hole ... read more
image
image
image

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Paihia March 1st 2015

after a 10 day stay in North Shore, Auckland we picked up our crazy little campervan and headed to Northland and the beautiful bay of Paihia. From our campsite base we spent Saturday up at Cape Reinga - see separate posting about that. On Sunday we took the ferry to the quaint little town of Russell and saw Neil Oliver filming for an episode of Coast. We even ate in the same place for lunch but thankfully he didn't pester us while we were eating! Lesley had green lipped muscles! Yes, they have green rims on their shells and the wobbly bit in the mid flexible, whatever it is called, was huge. I stuck to simple 'man food' an Angus beef & chorizo burger with beer battered chips ? ... read more
Russell to Paihia ferry quay
Russell
Russell bay

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands February 20th 2015

Kayak in the mangrove up to the Haruru falls.... read more
FILE0037
FILE0038
FILE0054

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Kerikeri February 20th 2015

A quieter day today. We started off by visiting the I site ( tourist information) to book a boat trip around the islands out to the 'hole in the rock', but again as it is now past the main summer season the boat was not going to run unless more people booked. That was what I call a self fulfilling outcome as who will book knowing the probable outcome is cancellation? However we went to Waitangi where the Treaty was signed between the English and Moaris giving the latter rights to land and customs. We then visited Haruru falls before travelling onto Kerikeri. We had a picnic lunch at Rainbow falls before reaching the Mission Station. This was the first European settlement in NZ, sponsored by the Anglican christian missionary service.The two original buildings where bequeathed ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Paihia February 19th 2015

An intentional early start for a 300+ mile trip up to Northlands. The first part was easy going as the nearer we got to Auckland the straighter the roads and some of motorway standard but still a 60mph limit with highway patrol (red police cars) ready to pounce. Around Auckland the traffic stopped despite five lanes, just like the M25 at Heathrow! North of Auckland the hubbub gave way to tranquil countryside. We took the eastern half of the tourist route which took us onto some superb beaches. Had to stop for an ice cream. Despite a long drive we arrived in good shape in Paihia. We are staying at an Autolodge, a motel by any other name, and it turns out to be one of the best rooms yet. So good we had a meal ... read more
langs beach

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands February 7th 2015

Having bought some new walking boots in Auckland we went tramping through the forest on a small hike to break them in. We had planned a longer hike but it kept raining off and on. The trees in the forest are immense, Tane Mahuta is the countries largest kauri tree, it is about 2000 years old and measures nearly 18 metres to the first branches and is about 4.4 metres in diameter. Tane Mahuta is known as "The Lord of the forest" and as you can see I got very attached to one of them! Who said all tree huggers were bonkers! Been out on a boat today around the Bay Of Island to go dolphin watching and possible swimming. We were out in the boat only about 20 minutes and spotted our first pod. It's ... read more
Dolphins at play
By the boat
Four scary blokes and a blonde

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands February 2nd 2015

"Tena Koutou" meaning greetings to you all in Maori language. We arrived in Auckland about 2am so a bit hard to have first impressions. The apartment is good but a bit on the small side, we are going to be cosy but hey ho staying in a city you are not often in your pad! First day we wandered around the city in the morning, we had a lovely leisurely breakie and got chatting to a couple from London who had only just arrived and were doing two months so we swapped lots of info etc. we ventured to the sky tower and decided to go up it. The views of Auckland from up there are magnificent, the yachts were racing below and people were bungy jumping off which was good to watch and watch only! ... read more
Auckland Harbour and where we stayed
Whangaroa in the rain!
Pacific Ocean merges with Tasman Sea

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Paihia January 25th 2015

Finished up the Oz leg of the trip back in Perth. Took a boat trip to Fremantle. Met Maggie at Melbourne airport. Auckland airport very hot on bio security-long queues to check I had no plant products or soil and insects on my walking boots!! I didn't! But I still got stopped because I had a mysterious shape in my bag.Turned out to be a jar of tiger balm!! To Auckland. Lots of tourists. It was Auckland's 175th birthday so lots of street activities. Went on a harbour cruise for the afternoon. Saw a mad man bungee jumping from the bridge!! This morning went to the Tepid Baths! Such a great name as the spa pool was boiling. It was opened in the early 90s for the residents as a salt pool. There were 2 pools-one ... read more
DSCN1227
DSCN1255
DSCN1249

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Paihia January 21st 2015

Monday 19/1/15Oh no the jet lag we thought we may have avoided kicked in! Oh well if nothing else at least when you are awake early you have time to pack and get checked out on time. Still haven't found a decent atlas map of the islands, will manage with Mary's map for time being anyway, also haven't found sandal/trainers and hat for me and a hat for Ian. Successfully negotiated the cases and bags onto the right bus and managed to get off right at the car hire place. Now the proud hirers of a navy Ford Focus auto and have found our way to Piahai, Bay of Islands. The road was a bit hairy at times, lots of up and down ness and twistiness. Cloudy and a bit rainy but still looks pretty good, ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Paihia January 21st 2015

Tuesday 20/1/15The Bay of Islands is exactly what it says and most of the tourism is based on or in the water. Lots of boat trips around the islands, diving and dolphin spotting. On the other hand we headed inland and when for a walk up to a look out spot. It was quite a climb and we only met another 3 people. The view from the lookout was lovely and with the sun out the water was turquoise rather than the grey of yesterday. So instead of coming back down to the town we decided to take the route traversing a ridge and ending up at the ferry terminal in Opua, from there we could pick up the coastal walk back to Paihia........ 5 hours later with feet threatening to spontaneously combust we arrived. If ... read more
image
image
image




Tot: 0.146s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 10; qc: 90; dbt: 0.075s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb