Travel destinations: North Island, New Zealand – Part 1
November 5, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourists Attractions
New Zealand is the most inviting, fun, exiting and diverse country in which to take a vacation. To explore the opportunities for a visitor to both islands is such a vast topic, therefore I have narrowed my recommendations to the North Island. There are so many opportunities on offer from viewing the amazing scenery, to experiencing the geological formations of this volcanic island. The people of New Zealand and the Maori culture really make for a warm and friendly experience. Well known for its adventure and sporting opportunities, everyone from the novice to experience outside enthusiast will take home some unforgettable memories of time spent there. The following are recommendations from my 10 day driving tour of the North Island, made a few years ago.
Auckland.
Although Auckland is a warm and welcoming city, with so much to do, if you only have limited time I would recommend the following; drive up Mount Eden or One Tree hill, for an unusual view of the city, have breakfast up the sky tower, take a walk around the harbor and marvel and some of the huge sailing vessels. With slightly longer, try a trip to one of the islands located just across the water from the city; Great Barrier, Tiritiri Matangi, Kawau, Rangitoto, Motutapu and Waiheke islands offer something for everyone from bird watching, geological exploration of the volcanic islands to amazing beaches. Piha beach on the coast North West of Auckland about an hour’s drive is a fantastic wide expanse of almost black sand with rolling surf, a great location to spend a few hours. Try www.aucklandnz.com for as much information as you can handle on this location.
Bay of Islands
Approximately 230kilometers north of Auckland you will find the Bay of Islands. You could easily spend your whole holiday here, with diving, sailing trips, fishing, golf, and numerous cultural attractions on offer. No holiday here is complete without a sailing trip out around the bay to see the numerous islands and hear about their history. Options range from dolphin viewing aboard a catamaran skippered by one of New Zealand’s leading lady racers, to a more sedate trip following the old cargo route around the island on Fullers’ Cream trip. Located in Paihia is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location where New Zealand’s founding document was signed. Cultural tours and shows are available to explain the relevance of this document in New Zealand’s history. Paihia is the busting tourist center of the islands, however it has
Reflections: Where was your favorite place as a child?
October 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourists Attractions
I had two favorite places as a child.
One was staying with my Nana who lived at Russell, in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand.
My next favorite place was riding my horse.
I loved staying with Nana because her house overlooked the ocean and we just had to walk for 10 minutes, down the hill and we were at the beach.
The beach was so calm and safe and beautiful.
It was sandy but also had lots of rocks for fishing off, pools for finding shrimp and lots of seafood on the rocks too.
My Dad used to go diving for kina, paua and crayfish.
Amazing to think of it now, with all those things being so hard to find in the sea or terribly expensive to buy.
Nana spoilt me a bit when we stayed with her but not too much.
She was still strict and I had to eat my meal
Nana also had a piano in her house that I taught myself to minimally play.
I did this by reading the music books that were kept inside the piano stool.
Shops were also walking distance and as it was always the holidays, I had pocket money with which to buy lollies, ice creams and potato chips,sometimes even fizzy drinks like fanta or raspberry fizz.
It was all very special and carefree.
My Nana loved to take me walking through the village and proudly introduce me to her friends and shopkeepers. Often treats found their way to me on these walks.
Happiness, safety and security are my memories of visitng Nana plus continually being surrounded by the beauty of the ocean and the native bush, added to the uniqueness of this time.
Now riding my horse was my other favorite place to be and continued into my late teens.
On my horse, I could escape my household chores and my brother, who was a constant drag and a trouble maker.
I got to explore new places and occasionally I would meet new people.
Horse riding was a social time in our neighborhood, with most of the other girls owning horses or ponies, so we often went on road rides together.
Some days we would have races or set up jumps, just generally muck around at one another’s places.
Reflecting back on these times, I can see I always preferred and loved the great outdoors.
I loved being active and reveled in getting as much sunshine and fresh air, as I could each day.
I still to this day, crave activities in the open air and I still appreciate the wonder and beauty of the world around me.
Beaches and bush are still my favourite places.
Thanfkully living in New Zealand makes this an almost daily past time.
Two Fantastic Ways to Experience the Very North of New Zealand
May 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Restaurants
Do not miss going to the very north of New Zealand if you take a vacation there. Two fantastic ways to experience this area is to take two of the Fullers tours. The Cape Reinga Wanderer and the ‘Cream Trip’ Supercruise are ideal excursions.
The best base is the small coastal town of Paihia. You will have an early morning start for the Cape Reinga Wanderer but you will soon be discovering the magnificent Kauri trees at the Puketi Kauri Forest. A twenty minute boardwalk lets you wander around these awesome giant trees. At the morning coffee stop the restaurant has an amazing spiral staircase carved inside a massive Kauri tree.
This tour is tide dependent so it may be done in reverse. On this tour a buffet lunch was included at a pleasant location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The road for the last 17 miles is a dirt track but you eventually reach Cape Reinga at the northern tip of New Zealand. If you wander down to the Lighthouse and look out to sea you can observe the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean currents meeting. The resultant clashing waves can be really spectacular. This area has great significance to the native Maori people. It is the ‘leaping place’ where the spirits of the deceased return to their spiritual homeland of ‘Hawaiki’. A Pohutukawa tree, on the rocks below, marks the place where the spirits move freely.
After leaving Cape Reinga the tour heads towards the vast Ninety Mile Beach. There is a chance to use a sand sledge down the giant sand dunes if you are brave. The Ninety Mile Beach runs down the Tasman Sea side of this area. Watch out for several abandoned cars that are gradually being buried in the sand. Once you have reached the lower end of Ninety Mile Beach the tour heads back to Paihia through pretty countryside.
The ‘Cream Trip’ Supercruise is an excellent way to discover the Bay of Islands. You will cruise around on a state of the art Catamaran and see all the highlights of this area. The spectacular Black Rocks are the first stop. These rocks are unusual formations of volcanic rocks and can only be found at two places in the world. Fullers stop at many of the islands to deliver provisions and mail to the islands residents. Watch out for the abundant wildlife in the area. Dolphins escorted this tour for part of the way.
During the trip there is an extended stay on the delightfully named Urupukapuka island. My tip is to enjoy one the scenic walks where you can get fantastic views over numerous islands. The highlight of this tour is a visit to the awesome ‘Hole in the Rock’. Your excitement will grow as, conditions permitting, the cruiser makes a passage through the hole.
The Catamaran then heads back to Paihia but my tip is to stay on the cruiser and visit the lovely town of Russell. Have a wander round and discover the pretty Church. A small ferry boat will take you back to Paihia when you are ready.
This area of New Zealand is well worth the time and effort. Especially when you take these two fantastic ways to experience them.
