Crossing the Tasman Sea from Auckland’s rocky shores to Cairns’s rainforest-clad mountains and fertile valleys. The Great Barrier Reef fills the ocean in all directions as the plane descends.
View from our window: Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand. 6:35 am, 02 January 2014.
On our last day in New Zealand, we drove down the west coast towards Auckland, stopping at Hokianga Harbour, and in the Waipoua Kauri Forest to see Tane Mahuta (the largest kauri tree alive) and the Four Sisters. This country really is stupidly beautiful and photogenic.
Fireworks from the beach in Paihia. Happy 2014!
The best tour of the trip so far, by a long way, was the day of sailing around the Bay of Islands on Te Kaihau. It was run by Tom, who owns the trimaran. The tour is brilliantly laid-back, stuffed with interesting things to do (snorkelling, helping set the sails, mussel fishing (collection? musselling?)) without feeling regimented in the least. Sitting/lying around on the deck was also fully acceptable, and we did a lot of that. Out in the bay we had grandstand views of the gorgeous scenery and a few interesting historical spots, including Captain Cook’s first landing point
View from our window: Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. 6:55 am, 31 December 2013.
A peaceful evening waiting for our takeaway fish and chips. Another Kiwi restaurant that squeezes the profit margins by charging for sauces. Bit cheeky, but there’s good money in $2 ketchup and 50 cent vinegar.
Dear World, Yep, Matapouri and the Mermaid pools’ll do nicely, Best, Susan & Sam
View from our window: Morningside, Whangarei, New Zealand. 9:10 am, 30 December 2013.
Dear World, More places like Tawharanui please, Thanks, Sam and Susan