Paihia and the Far North!

Pictures from Paihia and the Far North

 

 

In April we took advantage of the long weekend and finally got up to the most northern part of the north island.  Visiting the far north is up there on my favorite places in New Zealand and I'm sure the warmer weather had something to do with it.   We took a tour of the far north which included Cape Reinga, walk thru the kauri forest, drive on 90 miles beach in a tour bus, and boogie boarding on some sand dunes. Cape Reinga is a very special place in New Zealand and in Maori culture.  Its not only where you can see the Tasman sea and Pacific ocean crashing together - which was made even more impressive since we visited the area during a storm.  According to Maori mythology, the spirits of the dead travel to Cape Reinga on their journey to the afterlife to leap off the headland and climb the roots of the 800 year old pohutukawa tree and descend to the underworld to return to their traditional homeland of Hawaiki , using the Te Ara Wairua, the 'Spirits' pathway'. At Cape Reinga they depart the mainland. They turn briefly at the Three King Islands for one last look back towards the land, then continue on their journey.  

 

Paihia

Paihia

Treaty Grounds

Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Waitangi Marae

Kauri Tree

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga

Lucas with the Tasman and Pacific meeting in the back ground

Sand Dune Surfing



90 Mile Beach



90 Mile Beach