Dec 21 to Dec 23 - The Bay of Islands, Vol. 2

Wednesday 12/22 - Up at 6:30 to catch the 7:00 foot ferry to Paihia (pie-HEE-ya) to board our tour bus. Bus driver's name was Huey (Maori name Haunga) and he sang us the traditional Maori song of welcome followed by stories and points of interest all during the day long tour. We proceeded to the Puketi Kauri Forest where we took the Manginangina Kauri Walk and were awed by the old growth kauri trees. We then proceeded up the east coast to the northern most tip of the north island named Cape Reinga (REN-ga). This place is of significant spiritual importance to the Maori people and possibly the most beautiful place we've ever seen! When we arrived the area was covered with mist which gradually cleared to bright sunshine to reveal the magnificent views. It couldn't have been scripted better for a Hollywood movie.

Tasman Sea side

Tasman Pacific Mix

Pacific Side

Di with boogie board

From Cape Reinga we proceeded down the west coast to the Te Paki sand dunes, where we grabbed a boogie board from the luggage compartment of the bus and did the big slide after a nearly fatal climb to the top of the dune (I was sure I was going to die before reaching the top). After one slide (oh please don't make me climb it again), we boarded the bus to follow a stream of quick sand (got to keep moving) for about 2 km to Ninety Mile Beach and headed south along the west coast and the Tasman Sea. We stopped about half way down to explore the beach, look for shells, collect Pipi (NZ clams) and/or frolic in the surf.

Ancient kauri wood carving

We then headed inland and stopped at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom where the bus got the sand and salt rinsed away. Rental car companies charge $3000 if you are caught driving one of their cars in Ninety Mile Beach (they pay a bounty to locals to turn you in).The ancient kauri wood has been buried for 25,000 - 45,000 years and is recovered and and used to make gorgeous furniture, carvings, turnings, etc. We told Huey that Diane was a wood turner and he took us back into the shop where we met one of their wood turners. Di was the first female wood turner he had ever met. To say their work is impressive is an understatement.

After almost 12 hours we arrived back at Paihia, had a lovely Tiger Beer and an order of flat bread at Kava Brasserie and then took the ferry back to Russell. Tim, Kava's owner, recommended having dinner at the Gables - he knows Nick, the owner of Gables.  Had a late dinner at the Gables Restaurant (the oldest restaurant in NZ).  We had the pate's for 2 as an entree, Lee had the venison, beef, and Guinness pie while Di had the pistachio & parsley crusted Hapuka (grouper) for dinner. Too full for dessert, we tried in vain to find a stinger to end the day (there is no white creme de menthe in NZ) so we returned exhausted, but happy to our hotel room.