Sandsurfing

Today we had to get up early again (like almost every day :/) to make our way up to the very north of New Zealand.

The area above Auckland is quite different from the rest of the country. Its climate is rather tropical with palm trees and rainforest dominating. Also it is the only region with a predominant Maori population. Thus, whereas south of Auckland everything looks like an alternative version of Britain, the north actually looks a bit more Polynesian (exotic nature, beaches, no winter). New Zealanders come here for holidays and escape the colder climate in the south.

We first went on a little hike through an 1000 yo Kauri Forest, a tree that is now almost extinct because it was most desired for ship masts.

There are some beautiful beaches out here. Though it was not really the weather for swimming we still tried one of local attractions. “SAND SURFING down the dunes. I couldn't  bring my camera, but after I overcame my fear it was really fun. Afterwards the sand was really everywhere. I still found some in my ears days after :D.

We then went along the 90 miles beach up to Cape Reinga where the Tasmanian Sea (towards Australia) meets the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular swirl of currents. This area is also most significant in Maori belief. The long beach along NZ west coast is seen as a highway of souls that leads the sprits of dead Maori to Cape Rainga where they depart to their mystical homeland Hawaiki.

The Kauri wood is precious enough that is now also dug out of the ground. Some Kauri forests were buried by natural disasters some 40.000 year ago. The wood and sap however was preserved in the earth. So it can be dug out and used for jewelry, furniture and art. They even made a whole stairway out of a Kauri trunk. The stone in Gandalf's staff is made of fossil Kauri resin. Its impressive what they do with that wood, but the exhibition is probably targeted to more wealthy visitors :D

Last par of the trip was a shop with the allegedly best Fish and Chips in the World. That fatty stuff sure fills your belly. But if that's the best it can get, I will never become a huge fan :D

 

17th May 2016