Magical…

After our long drive Sunday, we all agreed a rest day was needed, so magical Monday began. Luca wanted to stay at our place chilling and talking to his friends. He has been really good at going on everything else we had conjured up, and to be fair the accommodation a HIGHLY relaxing place, we noticed the other occupants feel the same way, most just wanting to hang at home.

Rich and I however did feel like a short hike and swim so off we went. The above shot was taken from the peninsular we hiked up, looking back towards Doutbless Bay and the villages of Mangonui, Coppers Beach, Cable Bay and Taipa. In a closer shot Rich is pointing at our accommodation in the distance (above the white tiered building).

This was an old Pa site, Rangikapiti. It is an excellent site for one, the distinctive feature is the artificial terraces and defensive ditch around. The main area of the Pa would have provided a strongly defensive position, while the lower slopes and terraces good areas for gardening and homes. The hike around the area incredible.

We had such a good time ❤️️ I loved the wildflowers dotted everywhere, so pretty

After the hike we took the 15-minute drive to Hihi for a look around, ice cream and pie then it was back to Coopers Beach for a surf and sunbathe. It is so lovely to be able to be in the water for so long and not get at all cold! My skin has not felt this good for years being so much in the sea water.

Then it was back to our little village to have a wee nap. Those line of little houses you and see on top of the hill in the photo below, ours is the second from bottom.

Our accommodations during this trip have had fully equipped kitchens, so we have been making a lot of our meals. Rich and I had gone to the local butcher after the beach to pick up some meat, which was quite the treat! After supper he and I went for an evening stroll around the village around 9pm. Just as the sun was setting and the moon rising, so beautiful…

As we came to the main wharf there was a fishing boat coming in with their haul of trout…

as we were looking on this ENORMOUS shark jumped out of the water! It was much larger than Rich and it was wrestling with all the bits and pieces the fishing boat had thrown overboard. We asked the locals and apparently the harbour is full of sharks that come in close for the things the boats throw over the side. Rich and I had just been saying how an evening dip could be in order; we changed our minds quickly after seeing that! We stood chatting with the locals for a while which was really nice. One of the things I love about this far north is that although tourists come here it is not nearly as chaotic as the Bay of Islands gets. The pace of life is laid back in the north, up this far, it is horizontal :).

We were still reflecting on magical Monday the next morning 🙂 and were up early as heading back down to the Bay of Islands to take the ferry out to Urapukaka Island

During my late teens early 20’s I worked on this island,in the cafe there. Each morning, I would take the ferry across unless we had a big function on and in that case, I would stay in the staff quarters there. It was really fun time, hard work but lots of fun.

We took the ferry from Paihia across to Russell (we had visited there a few days before via the long road route), then it was on to the island about a 30–40-minute boat ride

We did not have a long time on the island but enough for a walk around some of it. Quite a nostalgic time for me.

My brother used to come over and camp with his friends in Akeake Bay over the hill from the cafe during this time. It is an awesome place to camp. Below is the old shearing shed, there is a lot of sheep grazing on all these islands. This has been here for years, way before my time even, yep that old 🙂

After the walk, we hung out at the cafe on bean bags taking in the atmosphere and Rich fitted in a quick swim. The area around the cafe has got a bit more developed building wise, but not overly, it is still a very cool place to be.

Taking the ferry home we ran into a large pod of bottle nosed dolphins, they played for ages around the boat, so lucky to have seen them!!! They are big dolphins and if left in this type of environment live to about 60 years old. In captivity they rarely make it past 5 years, hence this environment is highly protected, and they are thriving here.

Most of us working in the cafe back then, had jobs on the mainland at night in one of the many restaurants, once back we took a drive so I can reminisce about the places I worked, (old fogey that I am). Then it was onto Waitangi (this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on the 6th of February in 1840, a document highly significant for NZ governance). From there you can take the back gravel road around to Haruru Falls then onto KeriKeri, it is a scenic drive, so we took it arriving in Kerikeri in time to go and visit my cousin and his family. I have not seen him for over 30 years! It was so great to catch up and meet his lovely family!

Kerikeri is home to the oldest stone store in New Zealand. I have always loved it and the little inlet leading into it. The area has been developed into a gorgeous park with the old homes around it preserved and turned into a restaurant, cafe and museum.

We drove home in the evening getting home just on dark, tired but happy. Today we are going up to Cape Reinga, (the top of NZ), and tomorrow we are driving back to Auckland. We are having such a great holiday, so so lucky to get this time together, we are taking none of it for granted!

Luca is contemplating a buzz cut, Rich and I not convinced, we kinda love his shaggy look. The heat up here makes this appealing for him. It is of course his decision, watch this space….

Until next time xx