ferny island
Jan 2nd , 2019 the beginning of our 12-13 month world discovery came, my heart was feeling quite heavy and I was trying to keep it together as Tyron drove us the airport. Zac and Ruby came to airport too. As we had already said goodbye to Marley and had a few tears. As I saw them all together my heart was heavier and then I just had a cry with much heart felt hugging. Just writing this makes me want to have a little cry. Being a mum you never stop even if you are far away for a long time which this is the first time.
Auckland
Arriving in Auckland we stayed on the wharf at the Hilton great location for a few days. Hired bikes rode along the foreshore to Mission beach and rode around the viaduct harbour so many restaurants to choose from very busy and the boats in the harbour, wow some rather wealthy people in Auckland. It was our wedding anniversary too 31 years on the 3rd Jan. This time last year we were in Rathjastan riding bikes with grasshopper and met our inspiration Jim & Mark and here we are at the beginning of our #parentalgapyear
After 3 days of Auckland it was time to pick up the camper van load up supplies at Countdown not the music show we all watched back in the day its a supermarket to funny. We headed north about 3 hours to Russell traffic was a little hectic but Tony was driving and totally had it.
Russell, Bay of Islands
Russell was a really nice holiday town and a great place to slid on into campervan life and caravan park life as we both have never done either, it was a new experience . We had an awesome spot with a view to the ocean and over the other punters camping with their kids screaming with joy or cracking it never was happy medium. These cute little birds “Weka” were always curious of any snacks we might offer them. We rode our bikes which we hired with the van around the town having lunch at the The Duke of Marlborough Hotel and loved there motto ‘Refreshing rascals and Reprobates since 1827’ We definitely fit it with the rascals category . Had a delish lunch, oysters are very much the thing growing on the rocks everywhere. We rode around to Long beach which was a short 10 mins ride for swim and get that fair skin out to the sun. Well, we were only there for maybe 2 hours bbq-ing our bodies. Boy did we bbq, red was the colour for the next few days so no photo needed just your imagination as it wasn’t pretty.
We caught a ferry over to Paihia for some lunch in a different location as you do. So over lunch brilliant me talked Tony into taking a helicopter ride out over the Bay of Islands. I was super excited Tony was cool as a cucumber. So we had a 45min ride out to The Hole in Rock Island or Piercy Island. Which I bagged the front seat, really excited now. It was so beautiful the colour of the water the islands the homes that were sprawled on their own islands or coves so amazing. Sailing boats everywhere or if you’re lucky a mini cruise liner. So we landed on top the island the pilot was amazing how he manoeuvred the big black flying machine on to this small platform with the greatest of ease
Northland- Cape Reinga & more
After our 3 days in Russell our initiation was complete into camper van life. Time to move further North to Cape Reinga about 3 hour drive. Where the Tasman and the Pacific meet or according to Maori Legend where the boy meets the girl not sure which ocean was the boy or the girl. It was a spectacular place to visit and for the other 100s of tourists quiet busy. On our way we stopped at Puketi Forest Kauri walk just out of KeriKeri for some much needed tree hugging. Beautiful majestic trees with a smooth textual bark.
West Coast upper North Island
As part of the everyday is the decision where shall we camp this van what’s for dinner do we have enough beer for a drink before dinner. Such serious stuff but important in the scheme of things. So after making sure all that was in order we parked the van this time at Ahipara next to 90 mile beach which isn’t really 90 miles but whose measuring anyway its 88 if you really need to know. The water was wonderful so warm and refreshing and now we are facing west so a sunset hopefully. We rode on the beach on our bikes we could have rode for miles but it was like a freeway for everyone gunning in their 4wd drives, motor bikes or even just the normal small sedan not sure how they got that one there without getting bogged. But hey they did. We like Ahipara simple town caravan park was pretty good cause we got a spot away from everyone and with shade.
We left Ahipara after two days thought lets go back to the East side to Pataua after trying to work where to spend the next day or two at which caravan park. We could free camp but I love a warm shower and power is great to run our coffee machine and the toaster. The small things. We chose this caravan park which I won’t mention it had horrendous showers they were hideous had to pay 50cents for them when they had already charged us a bomb to stay. No shade so one night and we are out there. We drove to Mangawhai Heads for lunch and to check out the beach. So beautiful driving in the homes the location the lushness. The beach was amazing with homes that were right on the beach, I think I am in heaven.
So tonight again searching the maps the internet and Martins Bay looked ok emailed them that had powered site one row back from the beach sounded ok, charge was ok. Done , sold lets go. Mistake big time when we came over to hill to look down on the caravan park wholly Molly . I think sardines have more room in a can. So freaking in your face everyone is but they seem happy, not us. One night dinner, sleep, breaky we are outta there.
East Coast & more
Another big drive today the weather is raining or pouring depending how you look at it. We drove to Whanagamata a surfing town and it would be if the swell was doing the right thing but hey not today. Lunch was found and it was pretty tasty. Gathered some supplies and headed to Cathedral Cove and Hahei which we over shot by an hour so had to back track. All was good. You have to park out of town get a bus then a 45 min walk along a lovely track to the cove. It was truly spectacular sight. Pretty hot today, so sweating was a thing, so not hot in temperature but I reckon it was close 90% humidity and when you come from a dry state where the heat is dry humidity is a thing you have to get use to, great for your skin though.
West Coast, Raglan
We left Heiha with a night stay in a nice park but time to move as the weather was grey and it is the islands of the long white cloud that carry a fair bit rain as we found out today driving through the rainforests and those beautiful tree ferns. love them. Through Hamilton to Raglan to caravan park near the beach which is pretty good but seriously caravan park owners plants some trees. Showers and bathrooms are clean and they had an oven in the kitchen so super excited to have roasted veg for dinner the simply things make the world go around.
Tomorrow we heading inland to tourist area with all the thermal areas which will be very interesting just stay away rain filling in time before we need to be in New Plymouth by Friday to meet Mark & Kristen who are coming over from Byron for a few days, super excited.
westa
tonyandsharon 