The final adventures in New Zealand

I'm actually writing this in Singapore! Before sharing our adventures of SE Asia, firstly our last couple of weeks in New Zealand before we had to say goodbye.

I seem to be having real problems with putting pictures up at the moment. Not helped that I lost my camera lead! Sorry but again use the imagination for this one until I can work out what I'm doing wrong!

After volcanic exploration we spent the next few days in the Coromandel region, east of Auckland, jutting into the pacific. Much of the time we hopped from beach to beach along the east coast. The east and west coast are split by the lush forest of the Coromandle Ranges, again old volcanic terrain. A real mix in areas from the posh cafe/bars and marinas to the more hippy, chilled areas. The west coast is more rustic with its history in gold mining. Maori history is rich here however this has been lost a bit in the coromandel region.

Much of our east coast travel was moving from sandy white beach to another! My favorite , Hot water beach. Really cool beach. There's an area in the middle of the beach, near a rocky patch which at low tide you can dig yourself a hole in the sand and hot, steamy water fills the hole from the hot water springs below. We loved this beach. Sitting in our own beach spa, watching the sun setting and sea come in, perfect!

Next stop along the way, Cathedral cove and New Chums Beach. New Chums, beautiful little beach, hidden away behind a lush forest. Stunning stretch of sand, rugged cliffs on either side and the beach fringed with tree's reaching down to touch the sand.

After a day spent at the head of the peninsula, Fantail Bay and Port Jackson, we found ourselves lost in peaceful world of the Mahamudra Buddhist Centre on the west coast of the Coromadel region. Here we met with Sabina, from Sweden, who we have met three times previously along the way (usually at hot spa's!). It was hard to leave this place, it really was beautifully still and energising. This is probably the only area in the hole of NZ that the possums feel safe. They came to say hello around our tent at night!

Our last two weeks in New Zealand we spent between staying with friends in Auckland who we met while traveling, the lovely Richard and Rachel and spending a few days in the Northlands region. With not much time left we chose just a few places to explore in the Northlands region. First the Kauri coast to see the mahusive native Kauri forest. Some of these bad boys reach as tall as 60m and trunks 5m wide. The father of the forest, Te Matua Ngahere, not so tall but wow did he have a lot of girth. A wopping 16m, deffo the daddy of the forest!!

At the north end of the park stands the almighty Tane Mahuta. A very sacred site. Tane is the Maori Forest God, son of the Earth Mother and Sky Father. The largest Kauri alive, they believe he could be 2,000 years old.

We made it to the North point of the North Island, camping at the furthest north point you can camp at Topotupota Bay campsite. We were befriended by the local conservation warden and helped him with his jobs around the DOC site, mainly cause we got to ride in his 4WD in the bush. We're so easily pleased! There is more to this story but too long winded but it ended up with me in my pants and bra swimming in the river! Not as bad as it sounds!

The highlight of the Northland, Cape Reinga, a very magical and sacred place. Believed to be the final point where the spirits leave the earth plane into the spirit world. It's also where the sea meets ocean and you can actually see this with a frothy white swell and waves being formed as they collide.

Heading back down the Northlands peninsula we visited the massive Te Paki Giant sand dunes. No kidding, these dudes are huge. Once you've climbed over the first you have a 360' view of dunes, it feel like you're standing in a desert, not that I've been in one but you get my drift!

Our 'true Kiwi' experience came when we stayed with a kinda family member of mine near Kaitia, heading towards the east coast of the Northlands. They own a huge farm and insisted that we stay the night. Not only a double bed but we got to watch sheep shearing and ride a quad bike thing around the farm while Lyn and Win drove the tractor, proper cool!

Before returning to Auckland we visited Waitangi, museum and treaty grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed,a must. We spent a brief time in the Bay of Islands but didn't really get much time to explore this area as we had run out of time.

Our final few days was spent in Auckland. Thanks to the gorgeous Richard and Rachel we stayed with them in their house share as we sold Vinnie on to some fresh faced travelers from Canada. The house itself, just on the outskirts of the city was a time capsule from the 40's/50's. Nothing had been changed or removed. The funkiest place ever, old radios the size of a cabinet! We had some very funny times with the dudes and their house mates, Jade, Jamie, George and Flea.

Auckland, not a place I would live, but not as bad as its reputation from other travelers we met. Total random mix of architecture in the city centre and an array of skyscrapers, very cosmopolitan in areas and very muli-cultural which was cool. It is by far the biggest city in New Zealand. We had to do the touristy thing and be taken up the Sky Tower. A bit like being taken up the Spiniker Sarah, just a lot bigger!! Amazing views of the city. At night the city turned into a sea of lights, making the city more inviting. A visit to Mount Eden and her crater, one of the many volcanic cones in the Auckland afforded views of the city, the suburbs surrounding it and lots of other volcanic cones that are a key featutre in Aucklands landscape. We also managed a quick visit to Devonport, to visit an old Maori Pa site (fortified village), again great views over to the city.

That is where out adventures on a Pacific Island finished. We had to say out goodbye and board the plane to start some ventures new!! It's a hard life!

Thank you New Zealand. This is Kitty Kat reporting for the last time from New Zealand, well tecnically from Singapore!

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