Piha, New Zealand
Trip Start
Apr 15, 2008
1
39
59
Trip End
Apr 01, 2010
Auckland,
North Island,
New Zealand
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Well we did finally arrive! Unfortunately we had to bi-pass Tonga as we had only planned two days there and due to our flight leaving Samoa 50 hours late, our connecting flight had already left before we arrived! Never mind these things are sent to try us. Still we are here now and New Zealand is looking very green on account that it is spring, their summer starts in December so the seasons are dead opposite to the northern hemisphere. I understand from folks back in the UK that you have had your first winter snow. A new record for the earliest recorded snow for 70 years; wow sounds like you're in for a cold winter, oh well we'll think of you as we are supping our wine in the sun! Actually I'm not sure if it's a record but our hosts returned from a weekend in central North Island, New Zealand and they were treated to a snow covering too, which is equivalent to the UK receiving snow in May! The world weather has gone mad.
Piha Cottage
We spent our first week in Piha a village popular with artists and city commuters. The village is made up of homes tumbling down the side of the steep cliffs and into the valley floor. It has a post office, library, fire station, art gallery, village shop and that's it! We must note that the village shop sells exceedingly good homemade cakes which go so well with a nice cup of PG tips! (Thanks Tim & Teresa). An interesting past time for the locals is to pick the wild arum lilies; I guess this is due to the lack of a florist in the village! Not sure it's altogether legal but they did it I broad daylight and no one seem to bat an eyelid. Our retreat was the peaceful little Piha cottage, nestled amongst the Kauri forests and within walking distance of the Wild West coast beaches. Our hosts Steve and Tracey were extremely hospitable and made our stay very enjoyable.
Whilst here it was Labour Day Bank Holiday weekend, one of the activities was a large craft market by the beach. We went along and enjoyed browsing around the many stalls selling anything from handmade pottery and food stuffs to antiques and jewellery made from everything and anything, it's a shame we are so short on luggage space! Mind you I have to admit it is great this window shopping, it doesn't cost me a penny! Back to food! I have to mention the organic sausage barbecue; they were probably the best bangers I have tasted outside the UK
Piha Beach
! In Piha we were located amongst the Waitakere Ranges, this is a large conservation area of steep hills where the rainforest meets the sea, the coastline here is moody and magnificent, huge waves crash onto the black sand beaches and tall rock formations rise up to the sky each having been carved into a strange shape by the pounding surf. We climbed to the top of a formation called Lion Rock where we were rewarded with stunning views in all directions. In the area there are some great hiking routes, however be prepared, there is no such thing as a flat walk in New Zealand so bring strong walking shoes or boots! The rainforests are beautiful, they are so lush with thick vegetation of kauri, tree ferns, yuccas and ground palms lining crystal clear streams which run down from the hills and out to the Tasman Sea, it feels like you are in the Amazon with out the humid heat and snakes!
