Northland
FOR three days this week, I was out in Northland, New Zealand, in the company of my wife, Debbie, touring our guest, Helen Dy. Last year, Helen had a whistle stop in Auckland and had a glimpse of the city in one day. She came back to see more, and so out of Auckland we went.
On May 17, we drove four hours north to the resort town Paihia where we took the Bay of Islands Hole in the Rock cruise early afternoon, sighting dolphins, having a glimpse of the 104 islands and passing through a huge cove while partly learning the Bay’s history. It was dusk when we came back to the port. We immediately drove to Mangonui where the finest Fish n’ Chips in New Zealand is served. While eating we viewed a picture perfect sunset on a calm sea with docked sailboats and resting seagulls.
In the evening, we settled in Kaitaia, the northernmost town in New Zealand. The next day, we booked the guided tour that took us first to the Ancient Kauri Kingdom (where woodcraft made from 100,000 years old kauri trees, the most ancient in the world, is displayed). We then went up to Cape Reinga (or Te Rerenga Wairua), the departing place of spirits in the Maori culture, and where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet. Busloads of people walk for about a kilometer to where a scenic lighthouse stands and the distance is worth it, as the sight of the limitless sea and sky puts the mind in a magical spell.
Our guide not only narrated historical facts and local legends but also sang traditional Maori songs. He shared funny anecdotes, and drove the tour bus. He brought us to the giant sand dunes. Most of us passengers climbed nearly 400 meters up, and slid down (“sand tobogganing”), a tiresome yet fun-filled experience.
Then followed the 90-mile beach drive, where our bus raced on the sand track at 100 kph to beat the incoming high tide. Sitting still inside the speeding bus and looking at the huge and raging waves, I found it to be an incredible transcendental exercise. It made me wonder that while so many countries suffer from overpopulation, there is this corner in the world where God’s fishes are bountiful, birds fly unceasingly and animals like wild horses run freely.
On the third day, our road tour was southbound. We dropped by the site where the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of New Zealand, was signed by Maori tribal chiefs and the British governor. We also had brief stops in two of the many waterfalls located in Haruru and Whangarei.
Helen said that her sister, Lolita, commented in her Facebook account that she had fun as she was all smiles all the time. For me, it was a well-planned tour courtesy of my wife. And yes, thanks to the New Zealand government that kept the roads well maintained, the directional signs accurate and the public toilets sanitary and clean. It is all worth the taxes we pay.