And so it began.. way back 4 weeks ago.. time to update you on the events that followed....
Fri 5th Dec
An early start as day 1 of my Kiwi Experience begins, heading north from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. As I brush my teeth, two English girls are chatting about the Kiwi Experience and mention the whole kit and caboodle (also the name of my bus pass.. this covers all routes on both islands), soon after I'm introducing myself and meeting Rachel and Georgie, the start of two fun new friends. We head down to reception, check out and walk to the street where we wait for our big green bus. Rachel is flying out of NZ the day after me on 8th Jan so it is likely that we will both be on the same buses for the duration.
Fly is our driver, on route she is informative about Auckland and the areas we pass by. We stop off on route to get coffee/breakfast, and then next a short stop to see some a waterfall. On the bus we book up trips for the coming days.. a daily occurrence, I will soon find, on the buses. After arriving in Paihia, and checking in, straight away we are heading down to the harbour and boarding a boat for a Eco Dolphin Encounter Trip. Initially we are told of the possibility of not seeing any dolphins, and that the opportunity to swim with dolphins is dependent on the behaviour of any pods we come across. The last day and morning there has been sightings of Orcas in the bay.. we are told that it is unusual for them to stay around for a long length of time but we may get lucky and see some.
This trip proves to be an incredible experience..
Initially we see a large pod of dolphins but they do not stick around and are quickly swimming off. Over the radio our captain and lead specialist are in contact with an Orca watcher in the bay, we are soon heading off in search of any sightings of Orcas. Suddenly we see two young and very playful ocras, followed by sightings of larger adults, including a huge male orca. Over the next couple of hours we following the group, with them at times swimming right next to our boat... simply breathtaking.
In the evening we have the BBQ put on by the hostel and then drink on the deck.. later being told in strong Kiwi accent 'stop drinking on my deck' by the night security but with nothing confiscated, a last top up in the rooms is followed by a fun night, with plenty of dancing at the local bar and the beginning of nightly drinking sessions.. hello kiwi experience!!
An early start as day 1 of my Kiwi Experience begins, heading north from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. As I brush my teeth, two English girls are chatting about the Kiwi Experience and mention the whole kit and caboodle (also the name of my bus pass.. this covers all routes on both islands), soon after I'm introducing myself and meeting Rachel and Georgie, the start of two fun new friends. We head down to reception, check out and walk to the street where we wait for our big green bus. Rachel is flying out of NZ the day after me on 8th Jan so it is likely that we will both be on the same buses for the duration.
Fly is our driver, on route she is informative about Auckland and the areas we pass by. We stop off on route to get coffee/breakfast, and then next a short stop to see some a waterfall. On the bus we book up trips for the coming days.. a daily occurrence, I will soon find, on the buses. After arriving in Paihia, and checking in, straight away we are heading down to the harbour and boarding a boat for a Eco Dolphin Encounter Trip. Initially we are told of the possibility of not seeing any dolphins, and that the opportunity to swim with dolphins is dependent on the behaviour of any pods we come across. The last day and morning there has been sightings of Orcas in the bay.. we are told that it is unusual for them to stay around for a long length of time but we may get lucky and see some.
This trip proves to be an incredible experience..
Initially we see a large pod of dolphins but they do not stick around and are quickly swimming off. Over the radio our captain and lead specialist are in contact with an Orca watcher in the bay, we are soon heading off in search of any sightings of Orcas. Suddenly we see two young and very playful ocras, followed by sightings of larger adults, including a huge male orca. Over the next couple of hours we following the group, with them at times swimming right next to our boat... simply breathtaking.
In the evening we have the BBQ put on by the hostel and then drink on the deck.. later being told in strong Kiwi accent 'stop drinking on my deck' by the night security but with nothing confiscated, a last top up in the rooms is followed by a fun night, with plenty of dancing at the local bar and the beginning of nightly drinking sessions.. hello kiwi experience!!
Sat 6th Dec
Today a number people from yesterdays bus are heading on the one day trip to Cape Reinga, the most northern point of NZ, and back again. We board the white NZexperience bus and meet our friendly, informative and entertaining Maori bus driver.. who proves to be a great singer throughout the day, first giving us a rendition of the national anthem in both English and Maori! On route we stop for breaky and supplies for lunch. We head straight to Cape Reinga due to the good morning weather. The far north is very sacred and spiritual to the Maori people.
At Cape Reinga we witness views of the coast and out to sea you can see where the Pacific meets the Tasman Sea. We walk down to a lighthouse, at the tip of the NZ, to see more views of the coast/sea and come across a signpost that points out the direction of a number of world wide cities. Just before leaving our driver sings a spiritual blessing song. He then drives us down to Topotupotu Bay to stop for lunch, a number of (crazy) travelers run into the cold cold sea for a brief swim.. refreshing I'm informed!
After lunch we have a short drive to the sand dunes where we go sand boarding.. great fun.. nervy at the top and very tiring climbing the huge sand dune.. I just manage a second go (only a handful go back for a third/fourth time). After a short drive we join 90 Mile Beach and drive down the beach.. stopping to take in the views before leaving the beach further on and heading to Puketi Kauri Forest where again our driver gives us a rendition of the anthem, this time his voice resonates through the forest! Our final stop on the route back is for fish and chips, next to a picturesque yacht filled port.
Back in Paihai, I invest in a litre of gin.. uno is followed by ring of fire and the group motto 'Love me love me' is penned after being used as a drinking rule. Again we head to the next door bar.. and another night of non stop dancing.
Today a number people from yesterdays bus are heading on the one day trip to Cape Reinga, the most northern point of NZ, and back again. We board the white NZexperience bus and meet our friendly, informative and entertaining Maori bus driver.. who proves to be a great singer throughout the day, first giving us a rendition of the national anthem in both English and Maori! On route we stop for breaky and supplies for lunch. We head straight to Cape Reinga due to the good morning weather. The far north is very sacred and spiritual to the Maori people.
At Cape Reinga we witness views of the coast and out to sea you can see where the Pacific meets the Tasman Sea. We walk down to a lighthouse, at the tip of the NZ, to see more views of the coast/sea and come across a signpost that points out the direction of a number of world wide cities. Just before leaving our driver sings a spiritual blessing song. He then drives us down to Topotupotu Bay to stop for lunch, a number of (crazy) travelers run into the cold cold sea for a brief swim.. refreshing I'm informed!
After lunch we have a short drive to the sand dunes where we go sand boarding.. great fun.. nervy at the top and very tiring climbing the huge sand dune.. I just manage a second go (only a handful go back for a third/fourth time). After a short drive we join 90 Mile Beach and drive down the beach.. stopping to take in the views before leaving the beach further on and heading to Puketi Kauri Forest where again our driver gives us a rendition of the anthem, this time his voice resonates through the forest! Our final stop on the route back is for fish and chips, next to a picturesque yacht filled port.
Back in Paihai, I invest in a litre of gin.. uno is followed by ring of fire and the group motto 'Love me love me' is penned after being used as a drinking rule. Again we head to the next door bar.. and another night of non stop dancing.
Sun 7th Dec
After a much needed lie in, some what helping to soften the affects of the night before, we check out, buy some supplies for lunch then crash in the hostel lounge before boarding our early afternoon bus back to Auckland. Me, Rach and Georgie cook a tasty spaghetti bolognese. Tomorrow, along with a large number of new friends from the Bay of Islands trip, will be starting the bus route from Auckland to Wellington.. plenty more fun to look forward to, including a number of exciting activities.
After a much needed lie in, some what helping to soften the affects of the night before, we check out, buy some supplies for lunch then crash in the hostel lounge before boarding our early afternoon bus back to Auckland. Me, Rach and Georgie cook a tasty spaghetti bolognese. Tomorrow, along with a large number of new friends from the Bay of Islands trip, will be starting the bus route from Auckland to Wellington.. plenty more fun to look forward to, including a number of exciting activities.
No comments:
Post a Comment