Tour to Paihia & Cape Reinga

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  Paihia, New Zealand, New Zealand
Thursday, March 6, 2008

Early start from Hostel in Auckland, was picked up at 08.00. Was a smallish bus seating about 20 people. Was almost full after pick ups. I sat in the front which proved to be a bonus, as onr driver/guide was called Nance. She is a Mauri/ Kiwi, and was lively, full of fun and very informative. The weather was lovely yesterday, but was raining this morning. Forcast was not great today, but then should get out, will wait and see.
Mike, the guy I met on the day tour yesterday was on the bus. He knew someone that was in his hostel, they knew a couple of people from travelling in Oz, there seems quite a little community through this backpacking. We were due to arrive in Paihia at about 15.30, as we are scheduled to do several stops which include a couple of short walks, one through a rainforest and some swimming/ snorkelling at Goat Island then visiting a bird sanctuary.
Not everyone on the bus was going to right through to our destination. As the company that does these tours ( called Stray ) stop at locations round NZ and the idea is that you buy the pass and then can get on and off as you please. There was a young couple on the bus called Dan and Wendy, just finished Uni, and very loved up!!! They were stopping at a horse riding station as Wendy had a job interview there. Nance had said to me she thought they were mad stopping there as it is in the middle of no where, she didnt even think there was a hostel there!! As it turns out when she dropped them off his face was a picture. Anyway they were left in the middle of nowhere and on we went, although we had a bit of a laugh about it, and I bet Nance that they would be back on the bus tomorrow!!
The weather was frankly awful most of the way, lashing rain, and not good visibility, which was a bit of a shame as we drove through some amazingh scenery, one valley was used a lot for filming on the second Lord of the Rings film, but we certainly did not get to see that at its best. We also had to abandon the swimming/ snorkelling at Goat Island. So not a great start, however the trip was lively and there seemed quite a decemt bunch on the coach.
Stopped at a bird sanctuary and got to see a baby mongoose up close. There were some baby kiwis there. They areactually quite rare, and apparently a lot of New Zealanders have never seen one of these birds that is there national symbol. Although it is not legally allowed, the guy that runs the sanctuary normally will bring one of the kiwi's out so you can stroke them or hold them, as appatently they dont seem to mind it. However they had an official inspector there, so he could not do it, as it is against the rules. I suppose luck just was not on our side so far!!!!!!!
It had stopped raining by the time we got to Paihia, a very pretty seaside town, populated mostly by tourists and apparently wealthy Americans that own property there. The hostel, Bay Adventurer, was great. Looked very modern, spotlessly clean, quite small and informal, but very friendly. We were offered a beer by a group who were sat in the main communal area outside. Now the rain has stopped it is actually quite a nice temperature, if a bit overcast. Had a decent pub meal - lasagne - and a few drinks. Public area at hostel closes at 23.30, so we were on the beach drinking at midnight....    Bed at 01.00, as have to be ready to be picked up by 07.15 tomorrow.
A bit of a struggle to get up today, but was on the coach for 07.15. Was about a 30 seater, and is a special type of 4 wheel drive coach which is needed to drive on the beach and through streams etc.
Tour guide was a Kiwi called Kevin, was very informative and knew his stuff. The weather had got out great in the morning. First stop was a quick walk through the Kauri Pine Forests ( First taste of tropical rainforest ) Apart from a stop to get a drink and buy provisions ( This would be the last shop we would see till mid afternoon ) we then headed on straight up to Cape Reinga. This is the Northern most tip of the North Island in New Zealand. We arrived there about 12 noon and had 45 minutes to walk up to the end point where the lighthouse was. This is where two Oceans meet, the pacific and the Tasmin sea. The scenery was absolutely spectacular beautiful blue, golden beaches and various rock formations jutting out ot the sea and sands. At this point we were on a similar latitude to Tasmania, Australia. We then travelled about another 10 minutes to out lunch stop, which was on a beach. Got to have a swim and a drink - heaven !!
After this we started travelling back south, but stopped at the Te Paki lakes and sand dunes. This is where the specialised 4x4 coach came in handy, as a normal vehicle would never have got through this landscape. We then had half an hour to have a go at sand boarding. That was great, I surprised myself at how much I enjoyed it. Mind you when you got my weight going down a very steep sand dune I was able to get up a fair bit of speed. The walk to the top of the dunes was a killer though. It is bad enough walking in sand, let alone climbing a steep sandy "hill". Managed it twice though, and I dontt think anyone managed it more than 3 times in the half hour.
The coach then drove onto 90 mile beach, this got its name hundreds of yeard ago when farmers would move livestock along it, and they estimated it at 90 miles long as it would take 3 days to move along the whole length. The reality is it is more like 100 kilometres, but has kept its name. The c9oach drives along about a 50 mile section of the beach. We stop for several photo opportunities, the views are amazing. Apart from the occaisional other coach or 4x4 flying along the beach the place was deserted. Also we were able to dig for shellfish on the beach. Which wasnt difficult, stick your hand in the sand near the sea and you would be guaranteed to bring out a few. Some people were eating them raw but could not manage that after seeing one lad gagging on one for 5 minutes.
Then we drove south for a couple of hours before we were able to stop for fish( called blue nose - very tasty ) & chips.  Then it was back to our base in paihia. A long day trip from start to finish ( 11 hours ) but well worth it. Got some provisions from the Supermarket and had beers and a BBQ back at out hostel. Ended a long but thoroughly enjoyable day drinking beers and wine on the beach at Midnight. Great star watching too as no light pollution.
Next day it was up not quite so early and onto a boat trip in the morning for Dolphin watching. Was a bit sceptical about what we might see, but within 30 minutes the Catamaran was surrounded in about 25 dolphins with two sets of mother and babies. Absolutely fantastic!!  Got to go to a private beach for a swim too. Got off the boat at an earlier stop from Pahia and was able to fit a quick visit in to the Treaty House museum, which is where the Settlers and the Mauris signed an island sharing agreement in 1840. Got to see a traditional Mauri Hukka, dance and songs - Excellent.
Got back to the hostel with 10 minutes to spare before the coach picked up up to take us back to Auckland. A mad 3 days, but most enjoyable. Off to Cairns, Queensland ( North East coast ofAustralia ) tomorrow. I am shattered and ready for a holiday !!!!
 
 

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