The Real Far North

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DAY 1. - Left Auckland via our Mate Dean to pick up trailer load of household goods we were to transport to Ahipara in return for free accomodation at his "holiday home". Kids in transit (Khaela and Pheonix)- 5.5 hr trip was a breeze. Stopped off at Kawakawa to see Hundertwasser Toilets, which we were all intrigued by. (creative minds would appreciate this). Arriving in Kaitaia, we stocked up at Pak n Save, then headed the 14km's to Ahipara.
Arrived at Dean's, a lovely place, elevated with beautiful sea views and a view of the entire 90mile beach loop - right up to the Cape. After a hastly unload we headed to Deans mums a few k's away to uplift a quad bike we had been offered to enjoy for the duration of our stay. Deans folks are a lovely Moari couple, with his dad taking me by total surprise when i shook his hand, yanking me forward for a good ol'fashioned 'hongi'. True hospitality of country folk, we left with some sponge cake in hand after being shown round the beautiful little garden and the blokes having a chat about rugby. K & P were thrilled with their ride home on the quad, along the main road, no helmets...totally feeling the freedom of country life. Dropped bike then straight off to the beach to enjoy a fine bottle of wine while the kids boogeyboarded till after 9pm.

Day 2. - Up and at it early, off to the beach on the quad to explore Shipwreck bay end of 90mile beach.(part of the wreck visible above the surface of the water which kids seem to love to perch on.) Headed off around the point and along the beach - kids with Nigel on the quad, Zaz in the 4x4. The beach winds its way along with some interesting houses (shacks a.k.a...Maori baches) perched not far from the high tide mark. Unbelievable how some of the material to build these shacks has reached this remote area...including an old bus which has been incorportated into a home. Some are absolutely derro, and many of these families truly live off 'kaimoana'...food from the sea, spending their days fishing off the rocks and collecting shellfish. Whilst it is obviously warmer up North the Maori people are also evidently and for obvious reasons darker. It was intersting dodging the locals as they drive along the winding beaches with reckless high speed abandon in battered 4x4's...whilst obviously well versed at the beaches and rocky pools they know too well, they could probably do it with their eyes closed. On the way back the girls enjoyed their first snorkel in the rock pools and time-out on an enormous dune on a snow tobbogan we had wisely taken with us. From the beach only about one third of the dune is visible, but it climbs all that much further once on reaches the first crest. Nigel created a wee bit of panic when he dissappeared for ages, only to reappear at a gallop, having gone to the whole way up...(and couldnt be seen). Zaz thought he might have had an MI somewhere on the way up out of sight, not realising how high it was....and considering the difficulty of the climb. Headed off back to Shipwreck bay before the tide turned....off to pick up the kayaks to spend the rest of the afternoon mucking about and awaiting the arrival of our good friends Pickle & Steph. The girls enjoyed mucking about in the Kayak, hanging onto the side of our 4x4 as we hooned along the beach all the while racing some locals galloping along the beach on their horses. Back at the house we met up with the Pickle Clan. Settling down for the night, fine wine, good grub ,good company...settling the girls into a tent on the varandah for the night

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Photos

Hundertwasser Toilets
Kawakawa

90 Mile Beach
Shipwreck Bay end..going round the end to dunes/explore the rockpools