Road trip in North Island - Day 2

24 December 2016

My morning mate

The drops of mornings dew sliding on the tent before falling to the ground woke me up, the morning was really quiet. I stuck my head out of my tent and this Hare wished me morning. It was 530 am and the sun was already shining bright, I crumbled in my tent and managed to sit straight with my head sticking out, the mind, letting it all sink in from the previous day and reassuring a good today. I wished to sit there all day long, however I had a long way to drive today.

Whangarei Falls 

I quickly collected myself and a $2 coin for a hot bath, a luxury not to be missed. In the shower, there was a box to insert the coin and a red button next to it. Naturally, the mind assumed, drop the coin and press the button for the hot water. I dropped the coin and there you go, the shower opened, Oh shit, I am not yet undressed. That day, I broke all records of quickest undressing and in the next few seconds I was under the hot shower, looking up at the blue sky, feeling the cold breeze as I soaked in the comfort of the warm water.

Those long stretch of roads running towards the northern tip of the country

A good 1 hour of yoga in the sun is something I won't miss in this quiet space. I was looking forward for a muesli with hot milk breakfast, but for some reasons the stove din't want to work. After few failed attempts I settled for cold milk muesli. I was guessing it could be because of the dews that must have accumulated on the burner as I had left it open inside my car overnight. I hoped it gets fixed by evening and packed all my stuff into the car and hit the road around 9 am.

The beach towards the south east of Cape Reinga

Whangerai falls was a small detour on my way to the northland. Water falls are filled with positive energy, it made a perfect start for the day. This stop here helped me to drive the rest of the morning and dint feel like it was a all-drive day. I stopped at Kaitaia to refill the fuel and grabbed a sub for lunch (it-sucked). As I drove further north, the roads got narrower and very few passing lanes. I had to be mindful not to slow down the cars behind me, I took it easy and enjoyed driving, especially the scenic forest stretch. After this stretch, the roads are mostly long stretches, plain and no music in the car, a dangerous combination, so I decided to think aloud and sang songs loud to keep myself going. It worked!!

End of the road!!!

I reached the southern tip of 90 mile beach around 1:40pm. It was super windy carrying the loose sand with it. I and my camera were coated with layer of sand in no time. The sun blazing was draining me off, though I kept myself hydrated. I stopped at Lake Waiparera for some rest and shade. When I finally made it to Cape Reinga, it was 4 pm. This place is of great significance for the Maori, it is believed that the spirits make a trip to the coast before taking a leap to the underground and return to their homeland. It is truly a very spiritual place, which is very apparent in the vibes. I was happy for finally making to THE NORTHERN MOST TIP OF NEW ZEALAND and at the same time, felt very strongly inside me, the reason why I always wanted to come here. This one will stay with me forever, I am sure.

At Cape Reinga, towards east

I sat there on one of the stone benches watching the currents play as the Tasman Sea meets Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse, the rocks, the endless beach down south, the ocean ahead, and the end of the road, everything about this place is so deep, beautiful and yet there is a strong vibe of something beyond the reach of these 5 senses. I definitely knew that I'd be coming here again and again to leave something of me behind.

The magnificent Light House

It was time for a visit to Te Paki Sand Dunes. I wanted to come here as the last thing for the day to avoid the sun and the sand you roll over. I hired a sand board and started climbing up the dunes. The wind made it such a struggle reaching the top and the slide down was shit scary. I looked down and it was very close to a vertical drop. I set off saying a prayer and I was surprised how scared I was when I heard myself screaming on top of my voice and landed safely at the end of it. Few people before me had crash landed with the sand all over them. I dint want to go back for the second one.

This vertical climb man.

It was almost 6pm now, ample day light left to drive to some camp for the night. I enquired the lady who lent me the sand board, she suggested to drive up to Tapotupotu, the northernmost campsite. I was somehow keen to drive down south and stay at a camp I had passed by on my way, Rarawa beach camp. I was tired and was looking forward for some yumm dinner and hoped that the stove works. I had to feed on some cucumbers and tomatoes for the night otherwise, as there was no clue of markets anywhere nearby.

The patterns on the sand at Te Paki Sand Dunes

I reached the camp and quickly checked the stove and fortunately, it worked. I made a yummy tomato gojju with pita bread. While I was cooking, the lady in charge of the camp came along, I dint have cash to pay her so she suggested that tomorrow she'll return with eftpos machine. I said, sounds good, I'll wait. And was in my den right after for a good sleep. I am sure I dint take some time to reflect on the day then, but now, if I recall, it was such a fulfilling day for more than one reasons. I enjoyed my own company immensely while driving, those amazing views, the food and the list grows. Something inside felt different by the end of it.