Catharsis…

On our last day in the Far North, we made it to Cape Reinga! The very tip of New Zealand! Such a spectacular day for it too!

Just down from the lighthouse is Tapotupotu Bay. It is at the end of a windy, bumpy gravel road BUT SO WORTH IT! We all dived into the pristine waters and did some body surfing, so much fun!

Rich did some Pohutakawa Tree climbing 😨 I was worried he would do a Keith Richards on me, but he was fine 🙂

It was difficult to leave this beautiful remote spot behind, but we wanted to hit 90-mile beach again for a dip before we left the area, so off we went…

It really is quite the beach! Heading as far as the eye can see in either direction, the mission of one last swim in it, was completed!

We have met some beautiful people during this trip and had some great conversations with locals. The whole area is definitely becoming more populated since my time. We saw so many little schools dotted all over, even in the most remote of places they are obviously thriving, families are moving into these areas and/or kids are staying here and having their own families. The Marae’s too are thriving, they are easy to find, well sign posted and well cared for, clearly the hubs of the communities. The Kaumātua overseeing many, many great initiatives. Despite the challenges faced, (as we keep hearing on the news), there is lots of positive to be found up here!!! Having spent the majority of my childhood here, it shaped me into who I am, it feels good to be back and to share it with my family, I have been away too long.

The next day was a long one, we set off early for Auckland and had many stops along the way…

Firstly Whangaroa, such a peaceful scene and the locals was excitedly saying what a great fishing day it would be. For them, how they make their living very much revolves around the weather…

We had gone this route as wanted to see the burial ground of the Rainbow Warrior. For those of you who remember and those that don’t, here is the link to that time: Sinking the Rainbow Warrior

NZ’s stance on nuclear power and weapons was severely tested on July 10, 1985. I remember it clearly and its impact both nationally and internationally. The Rainbow Warrior was brought up to Matauri Bay and sunk as its final resting place. It is there amongst those islands below. Today you have to dive to see it, and many do.

We drove on down through Kaikohe (another town I nursed in back in the day :)), through the gorge leading to Twin Bridges (below), it was such a pretty drive, not a main road, we passed only a couple of others on route.

Then it was on to Waipu and Mangawhai. Both areas I spent time in as a child. Waipu and Langs beaches were our “go to beaches” back then. When we lived in Newfoundland, I discovered one side of my family immigrated from there and landed in Waipu Cove to set up their new life in the North. Curious how life creates these circles isn’t it?!

This dairy was the only store back then, the whole area has exploded with people and development, I hardly recognise it! The dairy was made NZ famous by a Trumpet ice cream TV advertisement starring Rahcel Hunter prior to her becoming well known. When she and Rod Stewart married, they build a house here and it was around then that the major development started…

Then it was off to Kaiwaka for lunch at the Utopia Cafe. Such a cool place, a must stop off! Food is delicious too!

We sat in one of the little enclaves, the one below to be exact. It reminded me of places in Morocco with a Kiwi tilt to it.

Feeling satiated, we then headed off for Goat Island Reserve with a quick stop over at Biltong Plus (a South African shop that has been around since my day), the boys got some jerky for the drive 🙂

Goat Island was established in 1975 and was NZ’s fist marine reserve. We wanted to do one last snorkel and swim before hitting the big smoke of Auckland about an hour away.

That is Luca and Rich below the red arrow, stingray and lots of fish were seen! The boys said the Poor Knights was slightly clearer but here was very good, and they did not see stingray at the Poor Knights.

Currently Rich and I are staying at my brothers in Dunedin city. He is away and needed someone to feed his kitties and we needed a place for the night before returning home. Our house sitters go onto another house-sitting assignment today. Luca went to Lemons yesterday after we arrived back in Dunedin.

Today officially our holiday ends. What a wonderful one at was! When we decided to do this, I was unsure what to expect. It had been so many years since I was last in the North. The trip brought with it a lot of emotions and memories; I found it actually really cathartic. It was wonderful too, for Rich and Luca to see my roots. We all loved the beauty and warmth of the people and area. I had also forgotten how much I love swimming in the ocean when it is not freezing, maybe I will just have to get a wetsuit for the ocean here 😊

Rich and I both wished we have booked a few more days in Mangonui, when a holiday ends like this you know it was a good one 💕