In contrast to the busy tourist bus route of the centre of the North Island, New Zealand's East Cape promised to be a venture into the rural, remote, and beautiful culture, lifestyle, and scenery that makes New Zealand unique. The first night was spend in a tiny lodge, boasting the only wild stingray feeding in the world. Unfortunately they had been scared away by a recent storm and would not respond despite the guide standing knee deep in the sea throwing out fish oil for a good hour. The saving grace was, without doubt, an immense barbeque and mussels banquet - apparently costing around $2 per kilo, a fraction of the price and a multiple of the quality found in the UK. Anyway, the real reason I am in New Zealand is (amongst others) to witness
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