Saturday 23rd – Day 3
We had a bit of a sleep in today and later, walked down to the jetty to see about booking a bay cruise and a fishing trip for Mark and I.
After that, we drove out to KeriKeri and visited the ‘Stone Store’ and Kemp House.

These are historic sites from the early days of settlement. The store is New Zealand’s oldest stone building, having been built in 1832. The nearby St James church is also a historic building, having been constructed in 1878. It is interesting to read the headstones in the old cemetery, which date from the early 1800’s.
From there we visited the Haruru Falls and then returned to buy something for a BBQ dinner.

Being Easter, there was not much open, and we settled for some convenience store sausages, which were just awful. Thank goodness for onions, mushrooms and salad.

Sunday 24th – Day 4
The resort put on a big breakfast today (not free) so we all ate well. We walked back down the hill to the town and checked the Police Station to see if it was manned. I had found a bank card on Friday night, and had been trying to hand it in ever since, but despite the lights being on, no-one was home.
Enjoyed a nice coffee and booked our cruises. We drove out to the car ferry and popped across the bay to historic Russell and passed the first Capital City for NZ, Okiato.

Went up to Flagstaff Hill for some nice 360 degree views of the Bay. We parked at the base and trudged up about 500m, only to find that there was a carpark up there which was accessed from the road which we passed. Some spectacular homes and vistas. Back to Kororareka Bay, where we had drinks by the waters edge and then dinner at the Duke of Marlborough hotel on the Strand. Great food and service.

This hotel holds the first liquor licence ever issued for a NZ hotel, dated 1940. Caught the night car ferry back to Paihia.

Monday 25th – Day 5
Up early today, as we had booked a bus trip out of Kaitaia up to Cape Reinga and the top of the North Island. We drove through picturesque country side and came across an accident which had just happened. A logging truck tipped over, scattering large timber all over the road and nature strips. Luckily no-one was injured and the Police had just arrived, so we kept going. We drove through many towns with Maori names that were impossible for us to pronounce. Arrived at Kaitaia where we boarded the bus, driven by our Maori guide, Simon. He kept us entertained all day and even told a joke which kept the Aus/NZ rivalry going. All in fun and no feelings were hurt by any means.

As in all trips, a group caused long delays and didn’t give the slightest regard for any other passengers. It started at the bus depot and continued until we got back. Late for pickup, late back from lunch, stood in the aisle to have a chat – it just goes on. Even the bus driver asked if he could leave without them, after a stop on the Cape.
The point where the Tasman and Pacific oceans meet was amazing, with clear blue waters and turbulent currents.

We drove onto the 90 mile beach, but not before struggling up a sand dune at the giant Te Paki dunes for some sand tobogganing. The beach is suitable for buses, 4wd and 2wd vehicles. There was a seal having a sunbake on the beach and the bus stopped so that we could all have a go at collecting Tua Tua (pippies) which were very plentiful all over the beach. Tried my first raw pippie and found the taste to be bland. Maybe better fried up as patties.

After leaving the bus, we decided to head back along a different route, stopping at Mangonui for fish and chips. Lots of locals fishing off the jetty and catching some good fish, including Kawai (Aus Salmon) John Dory, Kingfish and Trevally. Great day was had by all and we are tired and sore.