08.25.08: We again headed from the east coast to the west a couple hours, this time to Shipwrecks Bay, aka Ahipara Bay. After going through more rolling hills with lots of sheep and some farms, it felt like we were getting further from civilization. Then as we got towards the bay, there was a small town where most of the houses were built in the same style as mobile homes with mostly corrugated siding. A few kilometers away, there was a small town as well. I noticed that many walked around with bare feet in the local Pac-n-Save.
Before getting to the campground, we saw that most were driving right onto the sand to hang out. We did the same. There was a break in the rainy weather and it was clear and sunny for a change. So, Sean and Kailani played in the sand for a while, while I put together chicken and chunky Thai satay sandwiches for lunch. As the tide came up to the campervan, we decided to move to the Te Kohania Camping Ground, which was only a couple feet up in elevation. This was Maori land, so they collect a “koha”, aka “fees”. It was definitely the most rustic campground we’ve stayed at so far. There were no electrical hook-ups, kitchen or laundry. And, I preferred to use our own bathroom facilties rather than what I saw. Besides the groundskeeper, I think there was only one other camper staying here. The swell had supposedly hit, so Sean surfed later that afternoon. It looked a bit mixed up and crazy for my taste and I was lazy, so I passed.
The next morning, we woke-up and looked out the window to see a group of about five dolphins frolicking in the ocean right in front of our campervan. Though we’ve seen this several times in Santa Cruz, it’s still always an awesome sight! Sean ventured out to do some fishing while I stayed back waiting for Kai to wake-up. Instead of fish, he came back with another bag full of mussels and some pictures of sea lions that were hanging out right there on the rocks at the bay’s point. He also noticed the swell was dying, so he jumped out surfing again. When Kailani finally woke-up, I fed her breakfast and we went out to get a closer look at the waves. As we were walking over the rocks on the bay’s point, I would have probably tripped right over a baby sea lion had Kailani not spotted it out for me. This beach was definitely teaming with life! Getting a closer view of the guys out in the water, it was looking pretty fun. I was ready to do a quick jump in water after Sean. But wouldn’t you know it, it started to rain again. So instead, we jumped into the van and fixed ourselves another awesome lunch of mussels steamed in Ascension Voigner, butter and a squeeze of lemon. Shipwreck’s definitely got our vote for “best spot” so far!
After lunch, we drove up to Cape Reinga, the furthest north you can go on the North Island. (New Zealand is broken up between two islands, The North Island and The South Island.) The Northland is what the northern part of the North Island is called. And basically, it looks like a long rectangle dangling off the south part of the North Island. Somehow, it appears like a straight shot up to Cape Reinga. Not quite! It was way more twisty and windy than we though. And in fact, we went through the Raetea Forest which contained the Maungataniwha mountain range. But finally, we made it there. There is apparently a lighthouse right at the tip. As well, you are supposed to be able to see where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean by difference in the color of the water. Unfortunately, there was road construction at the end of the road that blocked our view. At least, we were able to see each side of the tip. Seeing the vast Pacific Ocean out there brought up thoughts of how the ancient Polynesians crossed it in forty days with seventy five canoes. Boy, were they brave! We headed back down south, stopping halfway at Houhora Heads to spend the night.
Before getting to the campground, we saw that most were driving right onto the sand to hang out. We did the same. There was a break in the rainy weather and it was clear and sunny for a change. So, Sean and Kailani played in the sand for a while, while I put together chicken and chunky Thai satay sandwiches for lunch. As the tide came up to the campervan, we decided to move to the Te Kohania Camping Ground, which was only a couple feet up in elevation. This was Maori land, so they collect a “koha”, aka “fees”. It was definitely the most rustic campground we’ve stayed at so far. There were no electrical hook-ups, kitchen or laundry. And, I preferred to use our own bathroom facilties rather than what I saw. Besides the groundskeeper, I think there was only one other camper staying here. The swell had supposedly hit, so Sean surfed later that afternoon. It looked a bit mixed up and crazy for my taste and I was lazy, so I passed.
The next morning, we woke-up and looked out the window to see a group of about five dolphins frolicking in the ocean right in front of our campervan. Though we’ve seen this several times in Santa Cruz, it’s still always an awesome sight! Sean ventured out to do some fishing while I stayed back waiting for Kai to wake-up. Instead of fish, he came back with another bag full of mussels and some pictures of sea lions that were hanging out right there on the rocks at the bay’s point. He also noticed the swell was dying, so he jumped out surfing again. When Kailani finally woke-up, I fed her breakfast and we went out to get a closer look at the waves. As we were walking over the rocks on the bay’s point, I would have probably tripped right over a baby sea lion had Kailani not spotted it out for me. This beach was definitely teaming with life! Getting a closer view of the guys out in the water, it was looking pretty fun. I was ready to do a quick jump in water after Sean. But wouldn’t you know it, it started to rain again. So instead, we jumped into the van and fixed ourselves another awesome lunch of mussels steamed in Ascension Voigner, butter and a squeeze of lemon. Shipwreck’s definitely got our vote for “best spot” so far!
After lunch, we drove up to Cape Reinga, the furthest north you can go on the North Island. (New Zealand is broken up between two islands, The North Island and The South Island.) The Northland is what the northern part of the North Island is called. And basically, it looks like a long rectangle dangling off the south part of the North Island. Somehow, it appears like a straight shot up to Cape Reinga. Not quite! It was way more twisty and windy than we though. And in fact, we went through the Raetea Forest which contained the Maungataniwha mountain range. But finally, we made it there. There is apparently a lighthouse right at the tip. As well, you are supposed to be able to see where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean by difference in the color of the water. Unfortunately, there was road construction at the end of the road that blocked our view. At least, we were able to see each side of the tip. Seeing the vast Pacific Ocean out there brought up thoughts of how the ancient Polynesians crossed it in forty days with seventy five canoes. Boy, were they brave! We headed back down south, stopping halfway at Houhora Heads to spend the night.
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