To my shame, having lived in the North Island of New Zealand all my life, I had never been right up to the very northernmost tip of the country. I had been to the southernmost tip on a couple of occasions and had come within a whisker of the very top a few times but never quite got there. I had a few clear days in April so it was a case of now or never.
Firstly I made the four hour trip north and checked into my accommodation at Paihia in the Bay of Islands. The next day I joined a Fullers bus tour to Cape Reinga. I am so pleased I joined a tour, It really is the way to go. Our driver/tour guide was fantastic, his interesting commentary covering all topics from the history of the north, the geography of the landscape, the local Maori lifestyle, the agriculture of the area, all peppered with friendly banter. I was very fortunate to share the bus with a large group of local Maori celebrating a 50th birthday. They were wonderful company with their laughter, humour and general good fun.
The beauty of a bus tour is you can sit back and enjoy the scenery which is open and beautiful. It is a long drive but worth it.
After picking up final passengers at the small town of Kerikeri, and being surprised at how much it had grown since my last visit, we headed north, stopping at the little village of Taipa for morning tea. As we drove north I was astonished to see the massive avocado orchards stretching for miles. They are a new development and are controversial for their prolific use of water, a scarce commodity in Northland.
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| The pristine, isolated north of New Zealand |
I was thrilled to bits to finally get to Cape Reinga, an ambition fulfilled!
It is about a 15 minute walk downhill from the parking area to the lighthouse right at the tip of the country. The walk is beautifully paved and maintained with plaques along the way explaining points of interest including an excellent view over Piwhane/Spirits Bay. Spirits Bay is sacred in Maori culture as it is reputed to be the place where the spirits of the dead gather before passing into the afterlife. It is a very beautiful place to depart this world. |
| Elated! I made it! |
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| Where two oceans meet - the waves come from different directions |
Down at the lighthouse you can see where two oceans meet, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, it is fascinating to see the swirling waves and currents coming towards each other from different directions. I spent about 40 minutes at the light house drinking it all in, gazing north into the vast, blue, Pacific Ocean, dreaming of what lay beyond and not really wanting to leave, despite the overcast windy conditions. Having wanted to get there for so long I was elated and moved by the experience.
Right: That magic moment and, beyond, the vast Pacific Ocean
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