North Island
20th Mar, 2008Hi guys - hope you’re all ok back there in the UK. As I write this I guess you’ll be getting up for work or on your way there!
We’ve had a really busy time since arriving in the North Island and even more so since meeting Ben, Abbey and brother Phillip 6 days ago.
We spent 4 days in Paihia (north of Auckland) with fantastic weather, by the sea. Our trip to 90 mile beach was interesting, stopping en route to look around an ancient Kauri tree forest and digging for Tuatua shellfish on the beach- some folk tried these raw, but I wasn’t too keen. After visitng the most northerly point in New Zealand we then stopped at a fish and chip shop - so we have now tried blue nose fish, green lipped mussels and seen yellow-eyed penguins!
Our day out in the Bay of Islands (144 islands) was great, but a little disappointing as we were unable to swim with the dolphins. We saw lots of frisky and playful bottle-nosed dolphins, but were unable to swim with them as they has babies (some only one day old!). Never mind, we had to suffer lunch on a secluded beach and snorkling instead!. Whilst Ben, Abbey and Phillip tried ‘boom netting’ (where the boat pulls you along in a net) - it looked um…er….interesting - Abbey nearly lost her bikini from the force of water!!
To be continued……….take care everyone!