N.Z. the Beginning
Northland N.Z. has 2 speed limits 30kph and 100kph and they sit about 10 feet apart…
Welcome to the next part of our journey in New Zealand – Arriving in Auckland a week ago it poured rain for 2 days. As we drove north to the Bay of Islands the sun was shining and it was nice and hot. In need of seeing the Islands here we needed to do a boat tour and there are a lot options. Sarah at the info center suggested “The Rock” when we approached her of where to rent kayaks from she asked how long we were going to stay in Paihia. As long as it takes to enjoy it… Sarah and her husband Johnny own “The Rock” a retired vehicle ferry converted into a beautiful houseboat. Camping in town at Hararu falls thinking of what to do we thought we would head to Ninety mile Beach tomorrow. With so many options of day trips and overnight trips.
Headed north to check out Ninety Mile beach which is actually only 63kms long but you can safely drive on this beach it is totally solid and the bus tour takes you on the beach the whole way to Cape Reinga. The speed limit on the beach is 100kph? WTF!!! It was great for an afternoon run and then we played in the waves; which were awesome; but you had to look out for traffic on the beach.
Driving back to Paihia we decided to go out on “The Rock” to see the Bay of Islands and it left that day at 5pm. “The Rock” is a 22 hour boat tour that takes you out to quiet bays, you get to go kayaking, swimming, fishing, target shooting, night kayaking to see the phousfloresence, hiking and if it’s warm enough you may even see dophins. The tour was awesome and the food was great; it’s the best way to see the Islands and enjoy the water. The night kayak and swim was the best. The crew on The Rock made it such a great adventure. The tour left at 5pm and returned the next day at 3pm we had 18 people on our tour and the boat has room for 40.
While on “The Rock” we found out that Phil has great aim when shooting at a floating duck out the back of the boat must be from all of those fishing days back in Prince Rupert. He was in the finals with Edwin from Holland who appartenly goes to a shooting range every week he couldn’t miss either so they called it a draw after 5 consecutive shots first time this has ever happened on the boat.
I think Phil must have impressed Mink (1st mate on board) so much that he asked Phil to give the pre-dinner talk about who we were and what we were doing in New Zealand.
Phil and I would like to give a big shout out to all of the crew and owners of “The Rock” they created a beautiful envirnoment for us to be able to fully enjoy all that The Bay of Islands had to offer. If anyone is coming out to NZ and looking for a boat cruise to do I would highly recommend checking out www.rocktheboat.co.nz it will be a trip you will never forget.
Northland was a great adventure the roads are crazy windy one of the road signs says ‘100kph is not a target please drive the road conditions’ – in our rental car it was impossible to drive anywhere close to 100km on these roads. Very Fun Road Burms!!
Next Cormondel Pennisula here we come for some hikes and more beaches
Stay tuned…
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wow, that is awesome. You are bringing back some wonderful memories for me. 90 mile beach, have a picture of me riding my bike on it. And the roads, I would get to the top of a hill and say a little prayer and then fly down hoping no car came up behind me.
Glad your having such a great time.
Merry Christmas, Karen
What a great trip you are having!!! I’m jealous! Especially as we just finished a week of minus 25. Your “100 mph is not a target” brought back memories of Australia and “100 mph is not a challenge”…. think we maxxed out at 80.
Have a Very Merry Christmas downunder!