4 sept t/m 9 sept

Sept 4 we were awake after a very good nights sleep, quite late as my cousin Caroline had already taken her son, Ryan, to school and was back eating her breakfast when we surfaced.
After we had eaten and packed the car, Caroline took us on a tour of the sites of the first city in the world to see the sun each day, Gisborne.
Captain Cook from England was the first european to land in New Zealand, and it was at Gisborne, so a statue was erected on top of the highest point to overlook the city, BUT, the statue was of no resemblance to Captain Cook at all, so a new statue was made that was an exact replica of Captain Cook and placed on the waterfront, not so far away from a statue of Young Nick, the cabin boy who first spotted land now called Young Nicks Head. The false statue of Captain Cook remains with a plaque telling the story and ending with “whoever knows who this person could be, please let the City know, because we dont know who he is“

We then left Gisborne heading through the Rakaia Gorge, the most direct route from Gisborne to Whakatane. The coast road can be more than 7 hours driving.
Again the road was up and down constantly with many many turns, some as slow as 25km/hr to be safe. Finally after more than an hour driving we made it to the bottom and slowly followed the river as it meandered its way to the ocean. I was on the lookout for a coffee and toilet stop that I knew was halfway through the gorge, but it never appeared. Obviously closed down, but even the building was gone.

Oh well, not far to Whakatane, so there we stopped for coffie and something to eat.
Travelling further to a small town called Matata, and there we stopped again, but this time to call on friends who live in a caravan, and have done so for the past 4 years, right by the sea. So lovely was it. Some home cooking by Jo (the wife of Tenga) was most welcome. Caught up on all the gossip with Jo until Tenga came home from work. 2 more hours chatting, we were then on our way to Rotorua.
Coming past the first geothermal area, Hell's Gate, Tikitere, was Carla closing every air vent in the car and also a cloth over her nose, attempting to stop breating the smelly air that is indicative of the Rotorua area. Onwards into Rotorua city to our Motel, where we unpacked our cases into our unit then over to the restaurant for a well deserved dinner.

Following day we toured around the city and district, going out to see the Blue and Green lakes, 2 small lakes next to each other, one Blue (public useage) and the other green (no public entry as it is sacred to the maoris). Blue lake we could see, but the Green lake was covered in mist.

Whakarewarewa was next on the list to see, but we did not enter this as we are going to see another thermal area later, which is considered better.

After a walk around the city, we then started our trip to the HOBBIT movie set which is not far from the town of Matamata. Not realising that forward bookings were needed, we just arrived, and after being informed that there was no place for us in the next tour, I was quickly calculating when we could return for a tour. But we were asked to come back to the ticke counter at 2pm incase someone didnot arrive. We did so and were allowed to go with the next tour. We sat in the bus for a 3km ride across the farm to the location of the Hobbit village. We then were lead around by a young lass all over the Hobbit village ending at the Green Dragon Pub for a tankard of Hobbit beer (Gratis).
After the tour we were on our way to David and Mary's home in Ngaruawahia.
A hearty welcome was made as we arrived, with a hearty home cooked dinner ready to eat.

Following day we were on our way north to Whangarei. This was again a long trip, arriving at our motel in the afternoon. Arrangements then made to finally meet my first grand daughter the following morning, and that was such a wonderful moment. We then went to the Whangarei Falls which is just inside the city boundary. They certainly were putting on a good show.

Now it was time to travel further north to the northern most point, North Cape. Travelling via Kawakawa (famous for the train rails going down the main street,) Paihia (wall to wall people throughout holiday season) Coopers Beach and Awanui (time for lunch after travelling for 2 hours).
We also visited a factory in Awanui that turned swamp Kauri into all kinds of products.
1.5 hours more to go until we reach the top. Only at one place could we see the 2 different oceans at the same time. Arriving at the top at approximately 4pm, we put on our jackets to keep warm from the wind as we walked along the path down to the lighthouse, which was a good 15 minutes. It was magical as we could see the whirlpools and change in colours of the water as the two oceans (Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean) meet.

Then we travelled to our motel in Kaitaia, nearly 2 hours driving away.
It was good to put our heads on pillows that night.
Following day we drove out to Ahipara, the start of 90 mile beach, and walked on the beach just 200 meters before the cold wind sent us back to the car. Again a magical moment standing on probably the longest driveable beach in the world.
Leaving Kaitaia we headed south heading towards our next destination, the giant Kauri trees of the Waipouia Forest. Arriving in Kaikohe, it was time for some nourishment before travelling further to Opononi, the home of giant sand dunes. Arriving in Opononi there arriving from the south were oldtimer trucks. Many photos were taken even as we travelled further of more trucks. Even as we arrived at the site of Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest, Giant Kauri tree), there parked were many more oldtimer trucks.
A short 2 minute walk into the forest on well made track we were in front of a living tree more than 2000 years old.......YES 2000 YEARS OLD.
And a Kauri tree so large that you could build 20 houses from it. Forbidden to chop down ANY native tree in NZ.

Now we are on our way back to David and Mary's, approximately 6 hours away.
Again the hospitality was the best.

The following day (Tuesday) after breakfast we were on the way to a beach resort town of Raglan. This being on the west coast, and considered by many as being the best surfing in the world.

We came back to Hamilton (the largest inland city of NZ) and walked around the city and did some shopping.

Now we are back at David and Mary's for our last night with them before leaving in the morning for other destinations.

Until tomorrow.