Parkville Motel Whangarei

... We found it just as sweet as your average kumara, but a lot more “earthy” or “potent”.

Neither one of us cares much for kiwi fruit, but we figured we should give it a try. I had been told that the locals mainly eat a kiwi with a yellow center. Its true! We bought one and it is delicous! Golden kiwi is very refreshing, very flavourful but I couldn’t quite decide on what it tastes ...

... being ill! Not nice... I did consider chanting no sick on the bus (boat) like at school but I think even that would have helped! It was a good day, but I can see why they didn't call it the perfect day cruise!

We were glad to be on dry land and drove a little bit further up the coast to Piahia. Having eaten very little all day we headed straight out for food (amazing wedges at a the only place that was open - Franks) and then to bed.

... ya, this flexibility thing is a must have when you're here. Like most of my entries, the meaning of the title becomes relevant about half way through. The Surf stands for the scuba diving, and the Turfstands for the rodeo/hiking... pretty clever ehh? I bet you thought I went to some nice seafood restaurant or something... tricked ya. There were a good amount of people at the rodeo... people gathered and ate corndogs on the hillside overviewing the ...

... territory, dirty little fecker! This caused great entertainment between the staff and other tourists and, well, it's not everyday you get peed on by a lion!

We decided to meet one of the white lion cubs, Sabie, a two year old male, who was brought out for a hello. We spent about 25 minuted with Sabie and he was loving the pats and hugs!

After a great guided tour and our fix of lion hugs we were very happy, and stinky, campers!

... bus pickup point back to the hostel, pretty hard going as the backpack I have is quite heavy and its boiling hot. End the day playing 5-a-side football with Jon the hostel owner in some little local friendly league, then head into town for a curry. Heading north tomorrow. I hope all the places I visit arent as great as this because if I end up not wanting to leave everywhere I go its going to be bloody murder.

Whagarei - Mangawhai Heads Distance 69.05km Avs 17.07km/hr Short: * Left Whagarei (latish about 11pm) * Cycled to Waipu on dreaded Highway 1 * Cycled to Mangawhai heads along quiet, pretty coast road * Hilly but quiet roads * Hostel is nice * Had Hoki & chips on beach for tea (sadly left pasta at last hostel). * Tried to lighten bag for tomorrow (Chucked out rubbish, food & a book I'd finished) The Dream of Waipu Now Waipu ...

... made a tactical withdrawal, and the Brits had more sense than to follow them into the bush, and the whole war petered out. (There were, I should mention, Maoris on the British side, too.) So here was a chance to see a hill fort that had seen action less than 150 years ago (versus 2000 or so in Wessex). Although some of the ditches looked "fresher", I couldn't really tell, in the time available; sorry. The site was ...

... It was nice to speak to them. Hattie was in bed, so didn't get to speak to her. Afterwards Muriel and I got watching a good film with Matthew Perry in. But at 9.30, Ian wanted to watch the England v All Blacks. I knew what the outcome would be ;-) So we flipped between the two until the film finished. Muriel and I quite liked 'Undies man' though who plays for the All Blacks ;-) Sure enough, the All Blacks thrashed us :( I was so tired, I just crashed out after that!

... lot and just go; very convenient. Another nice touch was a packet of mints in the car when we got it. Also, the car was quite nice. I don't believe it was the subcompact I reserved, but was instead a comfortable and roomy Suzuki, very new. Schnappa Rock Café, Tutukaka. This restaurant is by the Marina in the coastal village of Tutukaka, not far from Whangarei. On first encounter it looks like it would be a ...

... Edasi peatusime Whangareis, kus oli taas kaunis jahisadam. Tegime pilte, peesitasime pargipingil ning kogemata sattusime ka kellamuuseumisse. Seal oli vist koos väikeste käekelladega kokku u. paar tuhat kella. Saime ka väikese ekskursiooni, kus erinevate kellade helisemist ja töömehhanisme tutvustati. Täitsa põnev oli. Ja palju ilusaid pilte saime ka. Teel peatusime sukeldumiskeskuses ja reserveerisime endale sukeldumispäeva 28 ...