Driving North

It's been a good first week with my car. We've driven a thousand kilometers together and seen a lot of beaches, bays and highways.

Good morning car

Saturday Ross and I went North on a road trip. At brunchtime we had French toasts at a cafe overlooking the Bay of Islands.

Not the last time I visit Bay of Islands

Full of energy we did a two hour hike to the Haruru falls.

I didn't think it would be safe to jump in

On the way there we saw something, guess what it is?

We hitched a ride back to the carpark and drove on further North.

The Epica enjoys the view too

Where oceans meet
When you drive until you can't get any further North in New Zealand you arrive at Cape Reinga. To the Maori it is a mythical place, where souls descend to the afterlife. To tourists it is a rare chance to see the Tasman sea meet the pacific ocean.

Both seas were calm in their own way. The Tasman was rolling in, endlessly crashing on the western shore. The Pacific serenely absorbed the waves as soon they crossed the Cape.

Cape Reinga, where oceans meet

We met this little fat, running bird on our way back to the car. Google tells me it's a Fernbird.

Fernbirds can fly, but they like running better

Dinner in Paihia

We drove back the way we came and had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Paihia.

Even in winter, the night in Paihia is full of life

After another three hours of driving we got back to Auckland. I fell asleep fast, feeling a good mix of exhaustion and achievement.