Wild World

After Auckland we went north around the Tutukaka coast and on to Russell which is accessed by a short ferry ride. It was the first settlement of Europeans in NZ and is now the starting point for tours around The Bay of Islands. The town is quaint colonial, rather like New England and with hotel names like Duke of Marlborough you can guess who the settlers were.
Later in the day we reached the Karikari Peninsula and went to The Carrington Club to arrange a tee time for today, fortunately we took a walk around part of this magnificent course because for the first time in 8 weeks our plans were to be scuppered.

A massive storm hit the Auckland area overnight and when we awoke winds were gusting over 50 knots. We were not about to pay a lot of money to play a very difficult seaside course in near gale force conditions so we drove the 100+ miles to Cape Reinga, the top of New Zealand where the Tasman Sea from the west (left) meets The Pacific. It is easy to see where the oceans meet as the waves give way to a much calmer ocean in line with the lighthouse, it was spectacularly wild out there. This is a sacred place for Maori people, it is from here that their spirits leave to go into the afterlife.

Even though we were struggling to stay on our feet at times seeing the awesome power and beauty of nature made the journey worthwhile.

Early in the blog we said we would be travelling by camper van but for a number of reasons we abandoned that idea and have a rental car instead. It is more cost effective ($20 per day) and motels/ b & B's are plentiful and as we are late in the season vacancies are not a problem. The back seat has a bag of shopping and a cool bag and we have a picnic for lunch, decent eating facilities are not always immediately to hand. In the evening it is quite nice to read in good light, watch a little telly and have that hot shower waiting in the morning. A camper would be more suitable for surfers and walkers who need to stay in more remote places. For example, 90 mile beach, where the speed limit is 100 kph. This beach runs the whole length of the Cape and is only accessible in a few places, what a beach!