Tokatoka, The Kauri Museum and a Fig Tree

After leaving Bailey's Beach I headed down the coast to visit a few spots. The first spot of Tokatoka peak. This is an unusual little spot given it is such a tall peak but the surrounding land is so flat it gives an interesting view point. At the top the climb is very steep.

 

 

But the views make it all worth it once you get to the top. The tiny little yellow spec is my cute little Bumble Bee.  

After my climb I headed to the Kauri Museum to see the history of the kauri logging and some of the most amazing things that can be made from the beautiful wood.

 

Loved this bike! Reminded me of my cruiser back home but I'm thinking this one is a bit older.

While this is the land of No. 8 wire they had a pretty impressive display of barbed wire.

There were also some great antique furniture pieces made out of kauri.

 



 

So far a stuffed kiwi bird is as close as I have come.

 

 

These displays were my favorite. When you saw just how big these old trees were and had a visual of how long it took them to grow it was mind blowing.

 

Bumble Bee and I were even able to visit the Bushman's walk nearby.

 

I then traveled to see a great tree that was of a rather different variety. I tried fresh figs for the first time here and thought I should take the opportunity to see the great Moreton Bay Fig Tree. It did not fail to impress.

 

It was a pretty spot to end a nice day trip. 

 

Thursday Group - Bailey's Beach

For my last outing with the Thursday Women's Walking Group I got to visit one of the wild west coast beaches. These beaches are known for rough surf and are not good places to get in the water. But the beaches are often used as roads here and while we were walking we saw several cars traveling on it. The rocks and cliffs actually reminded me a little bit of Arizona. But the cute colorful baches dotting the hills were completely New Zealand.

 

 

There were also some interesting creatures on the beach and I got to learn about a local shell fish that people use to come here and gather to eat.

 

 

The rust colored lines really did look and crumble like rust if you touched them.

 

The weather went back and forth between trying to be nice and clouding up and threatening rain while we walked. The clouds only added to the pictures though.

One of my favorite things about this beach in particular was how much huge driftwood there was on the beach. I have seen some furniture and decorations made from the driftwood that I have really liked. Too bad it would probably be pretty hard to get home. It was a great start to the day and I decided to make a day roadtrip out of it and visit a couple more west coast attractions.

ANZAC Day

 

I was able to celebrate a pretty special day in New Zealand while I was in Whangarei. The day commemorates the New Zealand and Australians who have died in the military. This was expanded as the original purpose was to memorialize the men who died during the invasion of Gallipoli during World War I. This was a battle in which New Zealand lost a large amount of men, especially considering how small a country that they were. They hold dawn services at almost every town and village. There were huge crowds of people that attended.

 

 

 

I can honestly say that other than going for a school thing I don't think I have gone to any services for soldiers in the States. I found it really impressive the way that the whole country takes a day and everyone participates. The radio all day was patriotic music, people calling in to share stories about the family members they remember going off to the War. They even have special ANZAC Biscuits (cookies) that are made for the day.

 

I liked how military members as well as law enforcement and the families of those serving were allowed to participate. The patriotic connection to the military in New Zealand seemed much stronger and much more common than I feel it is in the US. I really felt honored to be a part of their day and hope that I can be better at participating when I get back to the States as well.

First Roadtrip North - Hokianga Harbor

 

Hokianga Harbor was a surprise, while when I was looking at the map I thought it would be neat to see this very large harbor I had not expected it to be as beautiful as it was. 

 

Part of the beauty was just the amazing colors that made up the area. One side of the harbor mouth are these giant golden sand dunes. And the water was just an odd blue.

There were lots of great bachs along the road, I really couldn't help but think this would be a perfect weekend get away spot, just picture perfect.

 



 

As I got into the town the beach was all these little cliffs and scattered with boulders that were really colorful.

I went out to the headland and did the short little walks out in the area, there is a multi day beach walk there you can do that would probably be pretty amazing. There are little camping areas along the beach that you walk along. I would have loved to explore a little more but the weather was starting to catch up with me. I think it made for some pretty pictures of the storm coming in across the harbor, not so much of a nice day for a picnic though. 

 

It was also funny the way that when you looked to one direction the weather was all beautiful and clear, to the other direction you could see the rain pouring down.

 

Since the weather wasn't quite the best for a picnic as I had planned at the headland, I decided to drive on while it was raining in hopes it would clear by the time that I made it to my next spot!