Whakatane

Trip Start Dec 14, 2007

188

Trip End Mar 16, 2009

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Where I stayed

Lloyd's Lodge

Flag of New Zealand Whakatane, New Zealand
Monday, March 10, 2008

Drive through the East Coast drive had it's moments, at times it was very interesting and scenic and other times rather tedious. We travelled a large distance on dirt roads and our little Sunny was like a dust magnet and besides half chocking to death our luggage was hardly recognisable when we opened the boot, it was all covered in an inch of dust. All this probably had nothing to do with the fact that I believe all rentals are rally cars. ;-)

We passed through many little villages which seemed largely inhabited by Maori's. We also passed many sacred Maouri or tribal meeting places. They are easily recognisable as they all have carved wooden entrances and are painted red.

We never got to enter one as they are considered a sacred placed to the Maoris and need to be treated with great respect.

After our long winding and dusty trip we arrived a Whakatane (pronounced fa-ka-ta-ne) which is the closest town to NZ most active volcano called White Island. The volcano is said to have some spectacular diving with massive schools of fish and occasional whale sightings. We arrived a little late to make a booking for the next days diving so decided to save the money for the Poor Knights islands.

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