Northland Adventures

After arriving home from Australia me and jas both decided that for any future trips at least one of us should learn how to drive. So while we were in the Uk I got my full driving license. What an important decision that proved to be! Brace yourselves because this is one of the best pieces of travel advice i can give you about NZ, THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN NEW ZEALAND. If you live even a small distance outside of the cities you're on your own. No busses no trains, no trams and not even a taxi. For the first few weeks here me and jas didn't have a car and therefore spent the majority of our time walking to the supermarket and back. We got that desperate for things to do we would be in the supermarket and chose to buy some of the shopping the next day so that we would have something to do.

Jump forward to Easter weekend, our first weekend together with the car. We have managed to accomplish more in the past few days than we have since arriving here.

Our first trip out was to the nearby town of Paihia, around a 30minute drive from Kerikeri and like most of the trips in New Zealand the scenery was breath-taking. The weather was beautiful so we took our time walking along the beach front. We even stopped by the local arts market. Paihia is a very touristy place filled with shops, ice cream parlours and restaurants. We chose to eat at a great American diner. Jas had ribs and i had a burger. Jas has to keep reminding me that i cant have a beer because I'm driving. Something i've never had to consider in the past. We explored the small passageways and shops and jas even managed to bag herself a free facial in a boutique therapy shop.

Our next northern trip actually took us north. You quickly learn over here that the journey is just a beautiful as the destination, which is hard to believe when we arrived at Matauri bay. Famous for its dramatic scenery and amazing surf. There is also a camp site here which we may take advantage of in the future. The drive down to the bay was an experience and the car struggled a little, but it was worth it. We quickly explored the small caves and then with a lot of encouragement and a little push Jas got into the water. Once in she had a great time. BUT THATS WHEN IT HAPPENED!!!!!! after about 20 minutes in the water a giant wave crashed over my head and i felt a sharp pain in my neck. I originally thought it was my necklace cutting me, But no. I could literally give you a million guesses as to what had caused this pain and you wouldn't get it. Jelly fish i hear you say? stingray? sharp drift wood? all wrong. What caused the pain was still clinging to my neck for dear life until jas spotted it. A wasp! in the middle of the sea a drowning wasp was washed onto my neck and stung me. literally a one in a billion chance. Then the little bugger just casually breast stroked his way back to land. Crazy!!

Easter Monday we set the wheels in motion again and headed further North to Doubtless bay Monganui and cable bay! more sand more stunning scenery and some of the best fish and chips ever. It was about an hour drive between the mountains and along the coast. Jas screamed at a crab, and we sunbathed the day away. Perfect way to escape the Monday rush.

We have a big move coming up, exciting news and a big drive ahead.