After arriving in New Zealand and spending my first two weeks settling in, finding a van and building a bed in said van, we took off and headed north. Dan and I had our van, and two other couples joined us on the journey - Tommy and Chaundra, and Cara and Colby. Our mission was to find the most incredible places we could, surf a lot, and pretty much stop wherever we felt pulled to stop. Our days pretty much consisted of waking up and watching the sun rise over an amazing body of water, eat breakfast, go for a surf or fish or walk down the beach, pack up and drive to whatever bay, cove or beach was next, surf/fish/hang out on the beach some more, find a place to camp and watch the moon come out.
Here are some of my favorite experiences and pictures from the trip:
Driving through busy Auckland on our way North. It was interesting starting our trip on heavy traffic roads, and shortly after this turning onto windy gravel roads with no one in sight!
Our first night was spent at Black Swamp beach - we stopped to check the waves and decided to surf as well!
Dan, Colby, Tommy, Chaundra and myself trying to catch some waves...
Our first night was spent at a gentleman named Marvin's old cow pasture - we met him at the beach and he invited us to stay!
Touring Marvin's house the next morning.. He built the house himself, and has a fantastic garden and chickens!
Marvin's wife, Jennifer, insisted we stop at Whale Bay - she claimed it was the most beautiful place on earth. It was pretty stunning! This is a Pohutukawa tree overlooking the bay.
Whale Bay
Footbridge from Patua South to Patua North
On our drive along one of many bumpy gravel roads, our car started smoking! Lucky for us it was just a hose that came loose - but it was exciting nonetheless!!!
View from the drive to Okupe Beach
Bees and Sheep! On the drive to Okupe Beach in the distance
We camped at a DOC (Department of Conservation) camp site on Okupe Beach, and woke up to this AMAZING sunrise!
Cara and Dan watching the sunrise and contemplating the morning
We had heard that Elliot's bay had amazing surf, but when we arrived it was way too big. So we went for an adventure down the beach past a couple bay's and found this amazing spot - no one in sight with good waves! Cara, Chaundra and I are playing in the waves.
Sunrise at Matauri Bay
Dan went fishing at Matauri Bay, and sadly only caught seaweed and kelp!
Matauri Bay - we camped all the way to the left
Tommy relaxing at Taupo Bay
The three vans parked at Doubtless Bay. Left to right - Dan and my van, Cara and Colby's (The Grimace), and Tommy and Chaundras
View of Doubtless Bay and a river running into it
Chaundra walking up the hill at Maitai Bay
This is my favorite place so far in New Zealand - Maitai Bay. It was simply incredible
Rainbow around the sun!
I caught the first keeper! A snapper of about 30cm - off a handreel!!!!!
Cara caught a Kawai
Dan caught 2 snapper - this one was the giant!!!
Our campsite at Rarawa Beach
Amazing moon with Venus rising (Rarawa Beach)
Broken Shells playing the part of sand at Spirit's Bay
Spirits Bay
View from a bluff at Spirits Bay
Fun moss/lichen growing on the rocks at Spirits Bay
Traffic Jam because of the cow's in the road!!!
MOO!
Cape Reigna - The northern tip of New Zealand
The tip of land where the spirits of the dead journey to the afterlife after
jumping from the 800-year-old Pohutukawa tree at the edge of the water
Dan hanging out with Nikau
Happy Dan
Tane Mahuta - "Lord of the forest"
Aged between 1500-2500 years, its one of the largest Kauri trees in N.Z.
