The sister of my friend, Kezia, met me at the airport in Auckland and we drove straight down to Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty where Kezia lives. Some more friends joined us the next day. New year was full of sun, beach, amazing views from the Mount over the bay, cocktails, music and giggles.
After new year, a couple of girls and I drove down to Turangi and walked the Tongariro crossing. A spectacular alpine crossing through a series of volcanoes. The route covers a lot of different environments from forest to desert to volcanic craters, lakes and hot springs. It is a full day hiking, or tramping as it is called here. We had great weather for it and it was great to get out and see some of the inner country scenery.
I got a ride back to Auckland and to some friends from South Africa who I haven't seen in like 14 years! We had a couple of days of adventure - some amazing beaches north of Auckland and walking to the top of Rangitoto Island off Auckland.
Then I headed up to the Bay of Islands and to Cape Reinga.
Had a spot of sand boarding (the climb up the dunes is quite tiring!)
and did an overnight trip around the islands complete with fishing (got my fish fish!), night kayaking and swimming, snorkelling for green lip mussels and more kayaking and swimming.
Also got to walk round to Waitangi where the treaty was signed between the whites and the Maori. The water here is so incredibly clear that at night you can make water angels with the phosphoresce in the water glowing when you move around in the water. It was awesome! I spent AGES in the water!!!
It has been interesting to learn about some of the Maori culture and their rich legends and stories. I really like their beliefs about mountains and the journey the dead make north of Cape Reinga. The images that the stories create in my mind are ones of peace and beauty.
After the north of New Zealand, I was back in Auckland briefly before heading on the ferry across to Coromandel. I managed to get a bus down to Whitianga where I had just one night and managed to have a soak in some hot pools, a trip to Hot Water Beach where the heat from volcanic area comes through the sand and at low tide you can dig pools in the sand and have sea water heated up for you. I also got a walk in along the coast to Cathedral Cove and Gemstone Bay. Just B-E-A-U-T-F-U-L! Then straight back to Auckland the same day!
Onto Whangaparoa where Kezia's parents have a holiday home (or Batch as it is known here) for Kezia's 30th celebrations. A beautiful day (again!!!) and I got a chance to go wakeboarding and water skiing for the first time ever! It was AWESOME! I did get up (albeit very briefly) on both! It was a lovely chilled affair with a BBQ, drinks and later that evening we had a little walk to a place where there are lots of glow worms - very cool!
Then last week I went to Waiheke island just off Auckland to stay with my friend Paul and his family. A very mellow time, but got to go running, cycling, walking through some tunnels that were made for the war, on the boat round the island, a spot of wine tasting, and of course, more beautiful views! I was hoping to get out sailing (Paul was going to teach me) but the tides and the weather was against us and we didn't manage to get out.
I'm now back in Mount Maunganui and the weather is still a bit dull after a few cyclones are passing apparently at the moment. I'm hoping to get to Waitomo Caves this week and also meet up with my mate Andy in Rotorua. And then onto Nelson next week!
Phew! So that is my adventures so far!!! It all sounds quite busy but I have had a lot of down time reading and reflecting too and the weather at the moment doesn't really draw me outside!
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