Back down the west
Trip Start
Dec 12, 2010
1
20
149
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Opononi Dolphin Lodge
Opononi, North Island, New Zealand
Sunday, January 30, 2011
We just made it to Rangioria, where we had to catch a ferry across to Rawene. Thanks to Guys great driving we managed to get the second to last Ferry across. Really lucky, otherwise it would've been another diversion back for a few hours. I think we'd all gone a little mad by this point as we were singing to UB40s and Pato Banton “Baby come back” … with my coloured TV and my CD collection of Bob Marley. And thanks to Guys random ipod – the next song was Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap (a stunning song). We don't think those 2 songs have ever been played back to back in the history of music! - Very funny!!
Once in Rawene it was just a short drive to Opononi where we were spending the night.
We were booked in the Dolphin lodge, and the very friendly owner upgraded us to a little apartment overlooking the gorgeous bay. She also gave us quite a bit of food for breakfast.
As the sun was setting, Karen and Guy took us to a lookout to try and get some great photos – but the clouds came over, so we didn't hang around long.
The friendly lady from the lodge recommended a little restaurant that was doing Sunday Roast. And as it'd been ages since our breakfast... that sounded just right! And it was! We even had yummy desert, Sticky Date pudding (very English)
Another fabulous day in New Zealand
Monday 31st January:
Once we'd all had some breakfast and packed everything up, we were back on the road and taking a steady drive back to Auckland. We stopped at a big Kauri tree called “Tane Mahuta”, "Lord of the Forest", the largest kauri tree in New Zealand. It stands close to the road and is estimated to be 1,200 years old and is 52 metres high. The Maori people use these trees when making wood carvings, some are 2000 years old. It was pretty impressive. Si couldn't even get the whole tree in for a good photo! What is really great about New Zealand is there are so many wonderful sights to see, and they are all free. No entrance fee for any of them and its all so well maintained.
We drove a bit further and stopped at another gorgeous beach, called Baylys Beach – another wild beach like 90 mile but this time there was some life nearby.
We had a little stop at a Maori craft shop. There were some amazing pieces inside - all carved from the Kauri tree. One of which was a massive staircase. We wanted to buy so many things in there, but were limited with space and money.
But the wonderful Mr and Mrs Smith suprised us and bought these lovely table mats that we'd been eyeing up. Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Back on the road and we only did one more stop at a little place called Warkworth. Apparently it has a sign saying “Warkworth, its worth a walk” I know – weird! We had a coffee and some cake and had a little walk around the pretty town.
All too soon we were back home, and unpacking our things! We had such a great trip, saw some amazing things. And a big THANK YOU to Guy who drove the whole 1000km around the north.
To end the perfect weekend, we did it with the perfect meal! Karen made us one of her specialities, meatloaf with creamy mash! It was orgasmic! She is such a fantastic cook and has promised us the recipe for when we return to the UK.
We played a few games of cards, had a couple of bottles of wine and then went to bed. Ready for another adventure tomorrow.
