Paihia and beyond
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2006
1
3
75
Trip End
May 17, 2007
Paihia,
New Zealand
Thursday, October 5, 2006
We left Auckland on Thursday to head up to the Bay of Islands(Paihia) as we were told the weather was going to be nice so it would be a good time to visit. I think me & Ad were pretty happy to move on as Auckland isn't a particularly amazing city all round so it was good to get onto the Kiwi Experience bus, even though it was 7.10am!
The drive up was pretty good as it gave us a chance to check out some new scenery to what we saw in the city, and a chance for a bit more sleep. We stopped on the way up at a Honey shop/cafe for some much needed caffeine and some brekkie. I had a quick chat with a bloke in there who was covered in tattoos, and apparently he is the best Maori 'artist' in the country. The woman he was with had a beard tattooed on, which looked a bit odd. We also stopped in Whangarei, the most northern city - hardly a city in our eyes but thats what Fly, our guide, said!
The coach arrived in Paihia at 12ish and we jumped straight off to get on our first activity - dolphins tour! We were out to sea for about 4 hours, driving around the 144 islands that make up the Bay of Islands. It only took 40 minutes to find our first dolphin pod. There were about 5 or 6 maybe, and they are awesome. I didn't realise how big they were and getting so close was amazing. However, we couldn't swim with them as they had a 'juvenile' dolphin so we went to find another pod. We got lucky and found another pod of about the same size, and they were all adults so I got my wet suit on and dived in. We were told to dance and sing like retards, as dolphins like that but they kept swimming away so it was more swimming 'near' than 'with' dolphins. Even so, it was awesome.... and a long way from the delights of Croydon, although one dolphin did have a Burberry baseball cap on ;-).
In the evening had a BBQ and a few beers with some of the other people on the bus - Becks (UK), Crazy Carmen (Swiss), Nina (Germany) were the main people we were with, plus a legendary Welshman we called Chelsea, due to wearing the shorts non-stop. It wasn't a massive session as we were up early in the morning again.
Friday 6th Oct
We left early doors to head up to Cape Reinga, the most northern point of New Zealand and a significant place for the Maori people. On the way up we stopped at a Kauri forest to check out the NZ-only trees whose timber is valuable. Neither of us are tree-huggers so it wasn't a highlight, but the freshness of the forest helped wake us up a bit.
The stopped for food on the way up too, but the main attraction was the views - I have never seen such a beautiful place. I didn't bother sleeping as I was taking as much in as I could.
Cape Reinga itself is special to the Maoris as it is where they believe their spirits go before leaving for the afterworld (Hawai'kiki). Once the pics are up, you'll soon see that it would be a good way to go! The views are so spectacular I won't bother explaining - I just need to try and get some pics online (haven't had time yet, sorry). Cape Reinga is also where the Tasman See meets the Pacific, so you can see the two oceans colliding - pretty cool. Lunch was on a beach nearby, but the water is still a bit cold for swimming.
After lunch we did some sand boarding down 85m high sand dunes. Good fun, but I was soooo tired walking up the dunes twice! From the dunes we then drove on probably the best road in the world - Ninety Mile Beach. We drove on it for about 60km and it certainly beats the M25. We also learnt about some Maori beliefs whilst on the way to a brief stop at the Ancient Kauri Craft shop - again, not our favourite pasttime but some of the carvings were pretty cool. The last 2 stops were food-based: "fush n chips" in a nice little harbour and fruit tasting in KeriKeri.
The trip was long, but we still had the energy for a pretty big night. There aren't many bars in Paihia but we went to a few and ended up in the club Lighthouse, understandably known as the Shitehouse - terrible club, Ad was kicked out for no reason, but we still had a good laugh with some of the American girls on the tour!
Saturday 7th Oct
Our last day in the Bay of Islands involced a speed boat trip to see "The Hole in the Rock" - it does exactly what it says on the tin. The trip was pretty boring but was saved by the fact we came across a pod of about 40 dolphins!!!!
Our coach back to Auckland was at 4pm so we chilled on the beach with Chelsea - he's hilarious. He's 44, and out here celebrating his 2nd divorce, drinks wine from a waterbottle all day and comes out with some great lines... He was only meant to be in Paihia for 2 days and has been there a week as he's fallen in love with the place. I see where he's coming from!
Comments
! week today!
Hi Chris,
Dad & I have lost track of where you are/were already - what hope of keeping on top of things when the time zones change several times over the next months! Can't believe you've only been away 1 week today!
It's great to read your updates, so keep up the good work. By the way ...it is 'Ad & I'!!!!!
Do hope the weather hasn't been like it's been here - I has been revolting - rain, rain, more rain and howling gails just to add to the excitement. Excitement did I say? Nothing compared to what you are experiencing. Jealous? Absolutely!!!Really, really need to see some photos when you get a chance!
Do take care and keep us up to date.
Lots of love
Mum & Dad
xxxx
Hi Ads and Chris
Hi Ads and Chris,
Not sure if you got our last message but we are keeping up with your news.Its great to be able to follow your trip.It sounds so good that ,Andrew is already planning his trip for next year.Chelsea sounds like a real character,he obviously knows his football too.Anyway boys keep having fun and try to stay in the clubs Ads.love mum.