19 March 2018 Monday
We woke up very early this morning. Drove 100 KM to Kaitaia to join Harrisons Cape Runner Tour. Based on my assessment, this company operate a vehicle workshop and start to build their own vehicle and venture into tour business.
Picture taken before boarding. To the left is our friendly Tour Guide cum driver for the day.
And the route that we would be taking….
Our first stop, Houhora Head.
The water front at Houhora Head….
Only one small boat battling the freezing cold wind.
My wife and birds took refuge from the sweeping cold wind.
Only the brave one gliding with wind.
Sensing lack of interest among the travelers, our guide moved on quite quickly. Driving pass Black Swan Lake. I thought this was interesting, but no stop !
At Pukenui Beach.
At some point, the narrow stream widening into knee deep flowing water. …. and that was freezing !
The wave was aggressive. The beach gradient is very small. Each time the wave retreat, it leave behind a reflective mirror.
Our pictures on the beach, battling the gusty cold wind.
Lean back and supported by the wind !
Reminded me of aggressive wind encounter @ South Island Wharariki beach
Our guide had a momentarily stop and gave an elaboration on Ratana Church. It sounded as if all Ratana church looked alike. We would have mistaken this for Islamic mosque if not for the explanation.
Yes…. Ice-cream time at Te Kao
This is a little grocery store and ice cream is their main trade.
Ice Cream and Chocolate make me happy ….
Our last sight of the Northland peninsula east coast…
Our pictures…
and off we go ….heading inland and northward to Cape Reinga
It was an hour drive to North-most tip of North Island – Cape Reinga.
The west coastline from the car park. Notice the ridge track, I guessed it must be both scary and spectacular going on those walk path.
On the footpath to Cape Reinga Lighthouse. It seemed like it was going to be a long long walk.
the long walk continued….
At last we saw the eastern coast line.
And that is the famous lone pohutukawa tree standing on the headland…A signature of “nothing is impossible”
with the Cape Reinga Light House…
Zoomed in on Cape Reinga Lighthouse
I could imagine it brinks light of hope to sailors battling the vast ocean in pitch darkness
Our pictures…
“It should be Cape Regine”
Approaching the light house…
“Cape Regine Lighthouse”…
So sorry… official name Cape Reinga still remain
….and recalled the Ratana Church that we saw our way. The traceable association between the Great Light to Ratana Faith.
Looking back…. we had come a long long way.
Looking ahead….Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Tasman Sea
Pacific Ocean
The ride from Cape Regine to Taputaputa Bay was extremely tough for our driver. Big Bus on an extremely undulating, narrow road coupled with many sharp corner. The consolation – unlike the Shotover road @ Queenstown (going by edge of cliff), the road wind through vast greenery.
Arriving at Taputaputa Bay.
Disembark and our guide started the picnic preparation.
Grabbing bread, cheese and sausages.
Lunch at the beach
Looking back…. Relaxing scene but not everyone is taking lunch.
Birds started to gather around
There is a lot of difficulties for birds to take off due to strong wind….In fact, they flapped hard to lift to a certain level before the can soar into the air…
For this reason, it is much easier to catch a sharp picture of flying birds at ground level…
when the birds felt threatened….
At the Taputaputa Beach…. the water is fairly aggressive and glittered under sunlight.
and the same mirror when wave rolled off…
A last picture by the beach before departing for our next destination.
30 minutes drive and we were at Te Paki Stream.
Looking out of window…. we were on a shallow sandy stream.
video clip of the unique experience….
The bus stopped and we alighted, collected our sand board …
Oh …. it is really not easy to make our way to the top of sand dunes.
and the first two who make the attempt…
after our slides….. we captured clip of slides done by our fellow tour mate…
This is a typical slide…
for people who thought the experience is scary…. all they need is to plunge their feet into the sand and the slides get very slow.
and for daredevil and who enjoy the thrill…
A satisfactory smile after a successful attempt…
A short drive and we were on the famous ninety mile beach !
with pretty aggressive wave sweeping inland.
clips while cruising on 90 mile beach.
some fishing on headland…
and yes…. this is the beach for cars…
Our driver made a stop for us to alight and enjoy the beach.
The beach appeared to stretch from infinity to infinity. People are tiny beings between the sky and the sea.
Looking inland…. flying sands…
Our pictures and beach run…
Exit 90 ninety miles beach, our driver pointed out to us – the ongoing event at the beach – the snapper bonanza….. catching the biggest snapper !
Thanks to Harrisons Cape Runner…. we had a very enjoyable day ! It was 1630 hours when we started our journey back to Piahia.
Ooop and Bravo…. a nice faint rainbow colored our journey.
Approaching Piahia, we made a 3 minutes detour to Haruru Falls.
Approaching the fall.
It is relax and cool sighting. …..Our pictures by the fall…
We make another stop at Piahia Countdown – to purchase salad and steak – for a home cook dinner later.
Stepping out of Countdown….we were astonished to see a complete rainbow bridge across the sky. Yes…. we were so lucky and we will be very lucky for the remaining of 2018.
Back to Anchor House… my wife started dinner preparation. First it is potatoes and onion… and the steak comes later
And this is medium rare steak…
Yes….juicy and taste so gooooooooood !
Enjoyable day trip and enjoyable dinner
cheers to a wonderful day and a wonderful life.
End of Day 10 :
We love the day tour, we love the varieties it offered, we love Cape Regine, we love the sand dune experience, we love the ninety miles beach, we love Haruru fall, we love the complete rainbow and last but not least…. we love our delicious steak dinner.
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