Evening my love,

I can’t wait to tell you how amazing our day was… It is almost impossible to describe the calm and contentment I feel… First we started with going to bed at about 7:40 the night before… Must have been exhausted as waking up the next morning at about 5 – 6 am felt like a new person was born. Having coffee in hand I got out my maps and ready to make a decision, of course I had Nellie confirm it, and I was ready…

Today’s plan: Drive to Cape Reinga, where Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet at the northern most point of New Zealand… On the way, stop at Cooper Beach, maybe Cable Beach, definitely Karikari Peninsula, visit the winery there (Karikari Estate), Cape Reinga, check out the Dunes, maybe see 90 mile beach, then Rarawa Beach…

Easy peasy, since it was a touring day I knew I wouldn’t mind being in the car for a while as I knew I would be stopping hours in between and I didn’t have to worry about finding the place I needed to stay.. The best part is by now, driving on the left side of the road is second nature, I don’t even think about it when turning or merging into the lanes.

Having breakfast at that Little Kitchen was perfect, they had food that I could get to pack a wonderful lunch… while eating the best eggs Benedict I have pretty much ever had (need to make this at home this way) I was entertained by watching these seagulls talking to each other and showing their chest off to the female.. The only thing I can make out was this and this is the story I am sticking with – this was a mating ceremony to get the girl… 🙂 Now that I had experienced that ritual, I was ready to start my day.

After stopping at the first stop, Cooper Beach, which had sand that looked like copper, so reddish brown. I saw that my battery for my camera was low – sooo that meant – I had to decide which was more important – my camera or knowing where to go… So I decided — no TomTom for this trip and you know what… I LOVED IT!!!! It wasn’t a complicated one and I knew mostly the first two letters of where I wanted to stop so I “winged it”. Of course, I left my three backup maps on my bed – tempted to drive back I thought to myself – how hard can this be? I traveled throughout Tuscany with no GPS I can do 1/2 of an island… Just go north till you can’t anymore… then stop at the Ka place and the Dunes and the Rara place… Easy Peasy!

Stopping at the Karikari Peninsula was amazing, since it was not quite 11 yet, I decided to go to the beach first, going through some sand dunes reminded me of my place at Ocean Park, then the beach opened up, just beautiful…

I walked it for a bit however didn’t want to spend my entire day there which I could have, so after about 45 minutes I decided to head back… Perfect cause when I drove next to the winery I was 11:14 and the Cellars’s Door opened at 11… Lightly tasting the wine and 4 bottles later I was incredibly happy that I stopped there…

It was already noon and I figured at the rate I am going I will get at Cape Reinga at about 2 which was perfect, I would have a snack now and lunch up there… Not that I was planning the day, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t driving home at midnight…

The drive up was amazing, I was able to take a couple GoPro videos which I plan to mash together and show later. After a while, the radio was just causing commotion and distractions coming at me, that I drove in silence… When did I get so OLD? Enjoying listening to the birds and in my own thoughts – I was entertained plenty.

Cape Reinga was just as I expected – a good hike, windy and beautiful… I ate lunch there and took a couple pictures and videos… Not being as crowded as I thought, I found a wall and some grass to enjoy my lunch with the view of a lifetime..

And now pictures of Cape Reinga

Heading out after about and hour and a half, I stopped at the Giant Dunes, holy cow – they were giant.. Well, the walk up soft sand barefoot made them seem like mountains and not minor hills… They were gorgeous though, knowing I had no desire to go to the highest point and that this sand was very fine and would get into everything, I brought only my phone and go-pro… it was enough. Watching kids slide down the dunes was fun, I thought of my nieces and nephews who would hate the climb up the dunes but love the slide down them. Walking about a mile in this sand, I decided that was about as much as I could handle.

Resting at the bottom with water and watching people was entertaining enough to be ready for my next time to relax…

Rarawa Beach was a short drive and well worth it, there I was able to take my towel, book and relax… After getting into the water for I bit I laid down and read my book to dry off… I didn’t mind that I had another hour of driving ahead of me, I just wanted to relax and chill… There you can drive you car on the beach however since I have a rental, I thought – maybe not. I would hate to have to explain this to Avis.

The day overall was great, I didn’t mind the driving since I was stopping and the overall distance wasn’t long… Definitely getting some sun. Not able to find the other Fish and Chips place the lady at the shop recommended, I went back to Mangonui Fish Shop… They had their specialty – Bluenose for the Fish in their meal… holy COW… I am not a fish and chips person, usually they make it too oily and the fish is crap… This place specializes in it and WOW – I ate every bit of it… Even all the fries. 🙂

In the end, I had a perfect day…

Bedtime… ready for tomorrow’s day! – Paihia and the Bay of Islands Tour