To Cape Reinga

A really good night’s sleep, I hardly heard the fun from the bar which was open until quite late. I had had a great barbecued steak and sausage with jacket potato , coleslaw and salad the night before. And although three young lads (they looked about 18) had introduced me to the Jaegerbomb, I didn’t linger…. they had lined up 2 each for themselves as well as 2 glasses of wine a piece – determined to get wasted obviously.

Wishing them a fun night, I left them to it and had an early night…. ready for a 6.30 start in the morning.

I had booked on to a full day out on the northernmost tip of New Zealand, Cape Paihai. It was a lovely warm and sunny morning and about 20 or so of us boarded Barry’s bus, Awesome Tours!

It was indeed awesome. First we journeyed up to Mangonui which is Maori for Big Shark. Then on to Taipa (first touch in Maori). All the time Barry was giving us a running commentary of the history of the places we passed through. Today on 28 October in 1833 the British and the Maoris signed a treaty in agreement over ownership of the land in this area. So today was Independence Day in Northlands. We passed through Awanui and then on to the peninsula of the Far North.

What are these yellow flowers Leigh?

Barry gave a description of the Kauri trees and walked through the Puketi Kauri Rain Forest where we saw these amazing tall straight trees with few branches. These trees are used for furniture making and we would seem some examples later.
We passed through the village of Kaitaia, followed by the glistening Paengarenga Harbour.

We stopped at the most beautiful remote bay to have our packed lunch and, although we only had half an hour stop here, I just couldn’t wait to get into the sea. The water was comparatively warm and I splashed about in the surf for ten minutes or so before changing and enjoying my chicken salad roll and ginger beer. I couldn’t understand why no one else joined me in the water. These youngsters are so thin-skinned.

Finally we arrived at the most northern part of New Zealand Cape Reinga. This is the departing place of the Maori spirits where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. A very sacred place. We all looked out at the awesome panoramic views across the ocean lost in our own personal thoughts.

The excitement of the day was to begin and our next destination was Te Paki Quick Sand Stream where there were sand dunes the size of mountains and we were to bodyboard down them head first! I wasn’t entirely sure about the prospect of this. However by the time I struggled to the top (and this is no easy feat up a very steep incline on dry sand. I was ready for the action. Wow what a thrill to be speeding down that dune at 50mph or so to the cheers of everyone at the bottom.

We returned down the peninsular by way of the Ninety Mile Beach. The most beautiful beach I have ever seen with huge breakers that went on for ever. The bus just drove in the shallow waves for miles – amazing!

When we finally came off the beach, our evening meal was ordered ahead so it would be ready when we arrived back at Manganui. These were the best fish and chips I have eaten in a long while.

I am told the fish was Blue Nose and that it had been swimming in the sea minding its own business that very day. I also bought a bottle of Tui beer to wash it down.
A full, eventful, informative and fun day!

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