1324 kilometres driven
3 attempts to drive "The Bubble" on 90-mile beach
1 friendly tractor driver to remove "The Bubble" from the 90-mile beach sand that engulfed its front wheels
4 of the 101 Must-Dos for Kiwis
Several cups of coffee
I love ticking things off lists. Northland was one of those things. I've seen a lot of New Zealand in my four years here, but Northland has been one of the areas I've wanted to explore more. So, when Becki suggested a casual long weekend north of Auckland, I was pretty excited.
Only having three days, a lot of time was spent in my trusty old Nissan March (special shout out to "The Bubble" - thanks for all those hills you worked your way up in second gear with the air con on), but what a trip. Just a few highlights to share:
1. When two small local boys shout at you, "Go fast!" as you drive your small car onto 90-mile beach, you should not slow down to ask them what they meant, you should actually go fast. If you don't go fast, the slowing down quickly becomes a stop. Thank goodness for friendly tractor drivers to help pull your car out, even if they do stop to laugh at you first.
2. Possibly the best coffee and chocolate I've had in New Zealand. Bennett's of Mangawhai is a bit famous and what a treat! You have to love a cappuccino that has real chocolate shavings on top. And a chocolate that has feijoa 42 below in it!
3. Sandboarding (or not) on Te Paki giant sand dunes. We tried. We failed.
4. Cape Reinga. The tip of New Zealand (well, not actually - there is a bit further round that is a little more northerly), a sacred place full of cultural significance. There's an unsettled area in the water, which looks like the wake of a waka and is the place they say the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. I could have sat on the hill watching it all day.
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