Up North...

Booo - the ice bar was shut! But the SkyTower was amazing. You can see right across Auckland and watch the occassional terrified face of a sky jumper off the tower, he!he! And, once we'd seen in a merry christmas and been 'tourists' in Auckland, we threw our stuff in the back of the car, fastened our seatbelts and hit the road for Northland.

Wow, this is turning out to be one big road trip too. Despite reservations about travelling the west coast on the way up (apparently its a place for sweet potato lovers, and thats about it) we thought we'd give it a chance. We soon realised Lonely Planet never lies and apart from the odd deserted town and some beautiful views, there's not much up there until you hit the northern point, which we did...8 hours later! After a KFC (and some mash potato!) we checked into the nearest motel, squeezed into one room and hit the land of snoozes to recharge our batteries for the Ninety Mile beach awaiting us. Before we headed to the most northern point of NZ (and the beach) we checked into another backpacker place in Taipa...and boy did this place have character. It was pretty much a shed in this lady's back garden but it was so unique you couldn't help but love it. With its quirky paintings and fairy lights it was a total escape!

Anyways, back to the beach. Wow! Hot sand, soft sand, white sand. Wow! They don't make beaches like this back home (although on the way over the sand dunes i did think i was in Seaton Sluice). You can drive on here with a four-wheel drive (safely) and risk it in anything else, but i think we all agreed our little station wagon wouldn't make it, bless. After a picnic lunch and some shell picking we headed back to the car, only to stumble across a baby shark's head (see pics - its weird) and an abandoned dog. Giving it our water and some attention seemed to be a big mistake. Next thing it jumps in the passenger seat (this is the dog, not the shark!), not to be moved. Uncomfortable on that, it then decides to settle in on the back seat and nothing would deter it or coax it out. Luckly a local woman saw our plight after every tactic failed and came to the rescue. Phew! It still tried to get back in, then followed us up the dirt track till it tired and waited for its owners.

We continued up the coast to Cape Reinga, the most northern tip of New Zealand and took in the stunning views - see pics. Its so relaxing up there and was great to stretch our legs and look out across the sea.

Next on the list of must-sees that day was the World famous fish and chip shop in Montanoui...yum!yum! This place was rammed and feeling more like home than ever. Cold breeze, warm fish and chips and sea smells. Heaven! A reward for all the sights and driving of the day. Back to the 'shed' and it was a quiet game of cards by torch light, a quick vodka and light out. Think we'd worn ourselves out.

And now we're at Bay of Islands. Its beautiful. Going on a sailing cruise tomorrow around the islands and dolphin swimming. Can't wait! And hopefully the sun will stay out....fingers crossed. On Sunday Kim & i are going Quad biking around dirt tracks and across rivers, while Sharon & Laura go kayaking. Its all go now...