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Published: December 2nd 2009
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16/11/09 We headed in the Onehunga and picked up our colourfull wicked camper van. After we signed all the papers and did the legal stuff we were on our way. Off we went up the road to find a petrol station (as they give it you empty). After driving for about 5 minutes the van ran out of fuel so we had to walk back to wicked camper hire and they kindly gave us a lift back with a jerry can, finally we were on our way. We drove north on highway one to Wangaparaoa where we stopped off for an hour for some dinner and our first walk on a beach. Afterwards we drove further North to Pakiri were we found a campsite on the beach for the night. The beach was beautifull and we had it all to ourselves apart from the local NZ Dotterel (a rare bird that nested in the sand dunes).
17/11/09 Drove down from Pakiri to Goat Island marine reserve, were we hired some snorkles and wetsuits from a local chap who lived just off the beach.
Took a little while to get used to the cold water and snorkel but soon we were enjoying
the crystal clear water, or so we thought. we soon found that we were swimming amongst millions of tiny jellyfish style organisms which you could feel across your face and in your hands as you swam! Overcoming this discovery we managed to see Blue Maomao, Parore, Blue Cod, Snapper ,Trevally and quite a large Sting-Ray (wish we had an underwater camera!). That night we drove for a fair while further North to the south of Pahia, Bay of Islands to camp right beside the sea. At the campsite we met an American couple on holiday from Texas who kindly invited us over for a beer.
18/11/09 After exploring Pahia town center and spending some time in the internet cafe Rachel, with much effort, persuaded me to go horse riding. We treked through Waitangi forest and ended with a short trek through the sea. Well worth the money even though we both spent the next few days walking like John Wayne! That night we found a really cheap place to camp on an olive grove and here we saw our first Waka boat.
19/11/09 After a lazy morning we walked into Pahia again and got a ferry to Russell. The town
is one of the oldest colony towns in New Zealand and was originally the capital. Russell was an amazing place and we followed a trail through a tropical forest to the beach. That night we travelled West of Waipapa to a free camp site in Puketi Forest. We met a Spanish couple who helped us with our box of wine and build a huge camp fire.
20/11/09 Left our mosquito infested forest refuge for Ninety Mile Beach... where the fun began! Here, ignoring all warning signs and our campervan contract, we ventured onto the beach road in our van. We lasted about 5 minutes before we got stuck and dug ourselves into a hole. We could even see that the car we had followed onto the beach was stuck about 10 minutes further along so we had no chance! After much help from passers by we wrote-off our van and called the AA. Whilst waiting Russ went to the aid of the car that we could see stuck further down while Rach waited for the recovery truck. After managing to get them free, and a celebration beer, we waited hopeless in our van for the recovery truck. Then a 4x4
truck pulled up and some locals offered to help us out, we thought it was futile but they insisted on giving it a go. They then proceeded to lift the back of the van up and miraculously we were free! Bonus! Still buzzing from our little adventure we continued to drive the northern most point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. Here the weather was fine and the views were amazing, definately one of the best landscapes we have seen so far. Afterwards we drove back down as far as Pukenui, a small harbour town, and booked a camp site for the night. That evening we were invited for some drinks with the locals which soon became a messy one!
21/11/09 Drove down a long while to Omapere where we walked along the coastal paths at Arai te Uru recreation reserve which was oustandingly beautiful. Then we drove to Waipoua forest to see Tane Mahuta or 'Lord of the Forest', the largest and oldest Kauri tree. The photos we took do not do the tree justice it looks so much bigger in real life! That night we stayed in a forest reserve close by. Neither of us could sleep as mosquitos
were somehow invading the van in alarming numbers!
22/11/09 Rain all day! Decided to drive through it and made it as far as Martins' Bay, near Snells Beach just above Auckland. spent the day doing washing and relaxing as we've done so much already!
23/11/09 Drove straight thrugh Auckland on Highway One and headed east to the Coromandel. Here we visited Cooks' Beach, Hahei, and Hot Water Beach. At Hot Water Beach we hired a spade and dug a hole! The water is heated by volcanic activity so if we dug too deep it soon became too hot! We took full advantage and even brought along a box of wine to help us... relax.
24/11/09 Russell's Birthday! Spent the morning swimming in Sting Ray Bay as it was really hot today. We had the bay to ourselves, like a private paradise. Afterwards we walked round to Cathedral Cove which was also stunning and spent a good few hours sunbathing (which Russ has never before been able to do on his Birthday!). Later we drove to Thames and booked into a little hostel as the camsite was too far out of town, and we wanted to eat out for Russell's birthday.
We ate at a lovely little Italian restaurant and managed to have a feast for only 75 'bucks'.
25/11/09 We drove towards Auckland as we though we had to give the van back on the 26th. We settled about an hour away, just above Maranda. The sun was shining and we spent most of the day reading and sun bathing. We parked our van at Rays Rest and spent a windy night by the sea.
26/11/09 Made our way to Onehunga to (reluctantly) give the van back to Wicked. When we arrived we found out that we had had the van for one day too long and that, even though we didn't need rescuing, the AA were charging us for the call out. Massive bummer. Today is a dark day. With all this in mind we got a taxi to a hostel in Auckland and began the next part of our adventure...
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kerry fullard
non-member comment
love it!
great to hear your updates, sounds like your having a great time. Love the photos. Keep up the good work!! x