New Zealand: Bay of Islands 1995

July 5, 1995

The Bay of Islands is a New Zealand enclave encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands next to the country's North Island. It’s known for its undeveloped beaches, big-game fishing and Maori cultural artefacts. It's also home to the 19th-century whaling port of Russell, whose waterfront promenade is lined with remnants from its days as the country’s first colonial capital. Cape Reinga, and officially Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua, is the northwesternmost tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand. Cape Reinga is more than 100 km north of the nearest small town of Kaitaia.

🙂 Stunning!

🙁 Sad to be allergic to scallops!

We were up at 06h30 – a chap was trout fishing. We made breakfast and then set off to explore. We had tea overlooking the harbour which was beautiful.

We did a walk to the cliff’s edge and which overlooked the confluence of the harbour and open sea. There were massive sand dunes.

We drove on and found a stunning spot overlooking the Bay of Spirits. Did another walk which reminded us of Cape Tribulation as it was through the Kauri Forest. Made a delicious curry and in bed by 20h00!

We were up with the sun rising and walked on the beach…where we found scallops flapping.

We climbed to the top of a hill for lovely views but were sad as we had read in the newspaper that two young boys had been lost at sea.

Headed back and fried up the scallops and mussels we had picked with garlic – unfortunately I had an immediate and violent reaction and threw up everywhere.

Headed to Cape Reinga…annoyed as our Olympus camera would not focus. Walked to the lighthouse – the sea is really turbulent here! Headed into town and booked a fishing trip for the following day. Found ourselves a quiet spot and made dinner and settled down to bed… the next thing there was loud banging on our camper door … we discovered that we were right slap bang in the middle of the local rugby team’s field and they had arrived to practise! LOL. We moved on to a proper campsite where we had showers and ate left over curry and went back to bed! Trent wee’d in his custom made down Rab sleeping bag at 2am grrrr…. had to have it dry cleaned for $10!

Up at 07h00 but our fishing trip was cancelled as it was too rough out at sea. Visited Wailong National Park. saw ‘largest was canoe’ in the world.

Chilled in van and did school and wrote diary. The weather cleared and the sea calmed so we agreed to do a dusk fishing trip.Went out on a small boat with 2 girls, and American and two Chinese to the edge of the bay – still a bit choppy. Paul caught a 10Kg barracota. I caught a few small fish which we threw back. It was fun.