Cock-a-doodle-doo - Blogabond

June 3
In Kerikeri we went to hte liquor stoer and after looking in many shops we finally found Tracey's choice bottle of wine which we were unable to pick up on the South Island due to the battery running out - Hooray!
We found ourselves a nice carpark by the river to spend the night. At 8.30pm (when we were already in bed tired from the days diving) A man came knocking on the windows to tell us he was locking the gates but he didn't care if we stayed there as the gates would be unlocked early in the morning - what a nice guy.

June 4
What a night! At 1am the fire siren went off (Air rade siren), then at 3am about 30-40 Cockerals started continuously cock-a doodle-dooing and continued all the way until the sun rose at 6am. At which point they all stopped - stupid birds!
From the carpark we followed a walk towards Rainbow Falls.

Waterfall on the way to Rainbow Falls

After 3km, again the track was closed, but this time it was due to a bridge being constructed. So we turned round and wandered back to the van trying to find an unfolding frond of a fern - this is a big symbol in Maori and New Zealand culture and means new beginnings.

We headed up the coast to Matauri Bay, near the Cavalli Islands. Here we found the most amazing beach, quite a rarity in this world as there were no buildings, or tourist shops, or hotels along the whole stretch of beach or the valley. Apart from some caravans it was just as nature had intended. The sun was out and it was lovely and warm, well warm enough for James to walk along the beach in his shorts and flip-flops - a first (and maybe a last) for New Zealand.

We then went further up the coast and passed Doubtless Bay, and while the sun was sinking in the sky we headed up to Waipapakauri and to Ninety Mile Beach. You can drive along this beach all the way up to the most northern point of New Zealand. We headed out onto the sand to have a look, but straight away James decided to keep the van moving, turn around and get off the sand as our campervan showed signs that it would not make it very far. We had read warning of up th ebeach there being quite a few vehicles which had got stuck and been left as a reminder to others in the surf.

written by

James & Tracey on June 4, 2007 from Kerikeri, New Zealand

from the travel blog: James & Tracey World Tour

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