Blogs from Northland, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 20

Hoorah I have just been appointed an extra Toga though in my case it apparently means Tame Old Git Athome. We have friends who are trying to find there way back from the south island and were having difficulty until we advise them to follow the trail of empty wine bottles which did the trick. I am a bit worried as the girls tell me they have just been practising for my birthday bash on Saturday night. I have just tricked them into going to visit our old orchid business which means I can play on my computer for a couple of hours. It truly is wonderful to have them with us but the time is going to be all to short, There are so many places that we will not have time to show off ... read more

2/4 - After picking up a campervan we headed up towards Goat Island Marine Reserve, stopping off along the way at sights of interest. Goat Island MR was the first marine reserve in NZ and was set up in the 70’s. Goat Island is so called because is used to have a flock of goats on it, like a lot of island around New Zealand, if there was ever a ship wreck the survivors would have something to eat, great idea. There isn’t any goats now but there were once pigs grazing free on the island but they escaped by swimming to shore (it’s only a 100m from mainland). We spent a couple of hours snorkelling around the bay and island. Due to the cooler temperatures the marine life is so much different to what we ... read more

After leaving The Pickled Parrot and Bay of Islands behind, we headed for Cape Reinga, which is at the top of the North Island. We decided to take a tour from Kaitia, instead of taking Rocky as many cars get swept away in the tides. The bus picked us up in the morning and we went along 90 Mile beach - which is a highway. We could see the Hole in The Rock in the distance, and hundreds of fisherman scattered along the 90 miles, who have entered into a fishing content for Red Snapper. We stopped at some sand dunes, and were given a toboggan. It took us ages to climb up the thing, and then just seconds diving down the big dunes. Loads of fun, even though I was left digging sand out of ... read more

Monday 3rd Another 630am start - bus arrives 710. Today we have Jack and it's soon clear that he really knows his stuff as he drives us through an area which has plenty of history along with natural sites. Lots of Norfolk pines which indicate an area settled by missionaries (the top forms a perfect cross), some of the oldest buildings, and plenty of kiwi-fruit/avacado plantations. A short walk into the Kauri Tree forest where is a particularly large specimen. We stop at the Kauri shop, and get a chance to walk up a staircase hollowed from an ancient/large Kauri tree (the wood is about 45,000 years old). Soon we're en route to Cape Reinga - furthest point north in New Zealand (although I think some would beg to differ). Up here there's a lighthouse, and ... read more

Friday 22nd Feb - Day 31 Departed La Paz for NZ via Chile. Saturday 23rd Feb - Day 32 Came and went in a flash (crossed the international date line) Sunday 24th Feb - Day 33 Arrive Auckland. Monday 25th Feb - Day 34 to Friday 29th Feb - Day 38 On a 5 Day surfing tour of northland (the area north of Auckland) with New Zealand surf tours. The surf was really good at ninety mile beach which was the best break so we didn't end up doing much touring but lots of surfing, about 3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. A really chilled out week and finally the tan kicked in, after 4 weeks in the Andes I was feeling pretty white! On Friday I went to see a reggae ... read more