Rarawa Beach

We spent a couple of nights at Tapotupotu Bay then headed south...

NZ road hazard

Ratana Church at Te Kao

We stayed at another DOC camp tucked in a few minutes walk from Rarawa Beach.

Another beautiful spot in the Far North :-)

Walk from Tapotupotu Bay

We walked from Tapotupotu Bay to Sandy Bay (almost at Cape Reinga).  It was a hazily sunny day and we had great views along the coast.  The white dot is the lighthouse at Cape Reinga.

We had a snack at sandy Bay then walked back.  It was about 1 and 1/2 hours each way.

Steps on the way to sandy Bay.  The dot on the hill is Malcolm.

Looking down into Tapotupotu Bay, the white dots are vehicles at the campground.

Me on the trail.

Me somewhere else on the trail.

Cape Reinga

The road to the DOC campground at Tapotupotu Bay near Cape Reinga.

The campground is at the bottom of that steep windy road beside a beautiful beach.

We spent some time relaxing...

The beach was beautiful.

We took the car for a look at Cape Reinga.  This is the view towards Cape Maria Van Diemen.

The famous lighthouse.

The famous signpost beside the lighthouse.

The pohutukawa on the headland is the one that Maori believe the spirits of the dead leave from on their return to Hawaiki.

Another little trip away on the bus

We finally got away on the bus again - heading for Cape Reinga.  First stop Kerikeri where we headed for coffee at this cafe beside our camp at Rainbow Falls.

Another coffee stop - Awanui.  We spent the morning driving up the coast road to here, then parked in Kaitaia. 

Visited Te Ahu in Kaitaia, museum, library, art gallery...several pou circle the auditorium

Detail on the Croatian pou.

Artwork on the floor represents the north island being fished up by Maui.  The shape is a stingray with Northland the tail.

A flock of godwits flies across the top area

We drove along the edge of the Ranganui Harbour (looking across to the Karikari pwninsula).  A really calm day.

Then we went round to Houhora Heads, another picturesque spot.

Visited the place that used to be the Ancient Kauri Kingdom near Awanui - now Ka Uri Unearthed.  It still has the tree with stairs up inside it.

Things we've been doing lately

We have been doing a few things in the Whangarei area.  These photos were taken by Malcolm's daughter Annemarie in Abbey Caves yesterday.  There was a lot of water in the caves so we waded - dangerous probably but an adventure.

Outside the second cave (there are three) we are already soaked to the waist.

Last Saturday was Malcolm's 70th birthday.  We had a group of friends around for a bbq and Patrick and his mate played music.