On the way to Cape Reinga (the furthest northern point of New Zealand) we passed through a variety of towns with historical significance for the Māori people. We were told a variety of stories about tribal differences and fights other the years as well as how Captain Cook came over with the Europeans to begin settlement.
Our comical guide took us through a town named (in Māori) Long Harbour, which actually didn’t have a very long harbour at all and another town named Big River which again wasn’t very big at all. She warned us that the morale of the story was never to trust Māori men when they claim something is big or long..!
When we got to Cape Reinga we had a walk to the lighthouse, from which you get beautiful views of Spirits Bay and the beach of Cape Reinga. You can also see the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.
There is also a very cool signpost which got me thinking about my next destination…
We had lunch on the beach, which of course meant eating in record time then heading down to the water to have a quick dip – although it didn’t make it past my toes!!! It was freeeezing! Definitely not in Australia anymore..
The highlight of the day was of course… SAND DUNE SURFING!! It was a long painful walk to the top but it was definitely made worthwhile when you could just jump on your board and surf all the way to the bottom! (With ouch worrying about falling off every two seconds like actual surfing – yes I’m rubbish at that!)
On the way back to the hotel we stopped off at a fish and chips shop which claimed to be the best in New Zealand. It most definitely had nothing on my local (big up Devon) but I do feel sorry for New Zealanders if this is the best they have! The town we stopped off in was called Manguoi – which translates to big shark… Quite glad we didn’t go swimming there!
Our final stop of the day was a 5 minute walk around the rainforest along a very expensive path which was built for the Queens visit (of course she never actually walked far along it) but what did they decide to name it?…. Mangina-ngina
eyes abroad 