NZ - OTAMURE BAY -Waipoua Forest & Hokianga Harbour

the day starts with a windy road into Whangerei where we accidentally discover Soda, a little coffee/breakfast place….the coffee is amazing and the food even better…even the prices are ok….our first stop after breakfast is Dargaville….the road there is beautiful…the northern interior is lush and green with rolling hills, tall green mountains and charming villages and farms….the roads are great….we find a little information centre/wood carving shop….the guy is humorous and helpful - more Kiwi charm…we make our way north to the Waipoua Forest….the forests have a lot of species but this forest has more of the kauri tree which is endangered…..we stop to take in the Tane Mahuta, a kauri tree that is over 2000 years old….the tree is revered by all New Zealanders and is legendary as a giver of life…the kauri species was all but wiped out by the British during the colonization of Australia….drop off the convicts then go pick up some kauri wood…..the wood is ideal hardwood for fine carpentry and machining - who could have resisted?…from here we head north to Hokianga Harbour… we stop in the harbour town, Opononi for fish and chips which appears to be the New Zealand national dinner….spectacular - and the harbour ain’t bad either…..our next stop is the Bay of Islands…..again the drive is spectacular but the rain starts and by the time we hit Russell, the Bay is overcast and inaccessible…..we head back to town for a little dinner and pick up some Ready Roast - it’s a take out place that is popular on the North Island - beef, lamb, pork or chicken roast with veggies and gravy…..the roasts are incredible and the portions make me smile…..we drive it to camp with a pork dinner for Bruce and sit together for a last dinner with him…Bruce is happy with his dinner and shares more Kiwi stories…..we will be heading for Waikawau Bay tomorrow with a little stop in Auckland…..we will miss Bruce..

it's better that you read the story of Tane Mahuta yourself.....my interpretation is probably a little slanted....

the great tree itself....this is truly a spiritual place.....looks pretty good for 2000 years old....

having a couple of mini mahutas in front of the tree might lend a little perspective....photo courtesy of a very tall guy from Hamburg dressed as a chimney sweep and his Kiwi partner.....lovely people I must say!!

no tropical paradise is complete without the free roaming colourful roosters.....hmmmmmhhhhmm.....chickennnnnn!!

Hokianga Harbour - good fish and chips!!.....