Every chance we got we explored gorgeous NZ--here at
Whangarei Falls.
NEXT->
The islands and coastal cliffs, the rain and the water and
the green make NZ seem like we imagine Ireland.
Overcast days were especially moody.
OH NO! Prospective buyers are due any day now!!
Would you buy this mess of a boat??
?? How about this version?? We worked like beavers to
get it her to look this good!
Believe it or not, this is the ¡QB! only 4 days later!!
All the former clutter is stashed and crammed
somewhere behind the camera!
Tree ferns are some of the Earth's oldest plants, and
thrive in these seasonally warm, often wet forests.
The predominant forest type in North Island NZ is
sub-tropical rainforest. Without any poisonous or
dangerous plants or animals it's a hiker's paradise!
Lots of little pocket bays shelter flat, sandy landing
beaches.
One of the most common coastal trees is Pohutukawa,
which flowers bright red in December, known as Kiwi
Christmas trees.
We tromped all over the hills of the Cavalli Ids, in nearly
impenetrable frothy verge up to our thighs!
After New Year's we took a sail north from the Bay of Ids
to the Cavalli Ids.
From the Cavallis we sailed into the wide expanse of
Doubtless Bay.
The snorkeling might have been great here, but the
water temp was 'way too cold for us Tropical Rats.
Over the ridge from Mangonui Harbor was Cooper's  
Beach along the south rim of Doubtless Bay.
Tucked up the Mangonui River in the SW corner of
Doubtless Bay, was the town and harbor of Mangonui.
One of our stops was in Whangamumu Bay, a scenic
reserve and site of a former whaling station.
At the end of January 2009
we sailed south along the east coast of North Id,
leaving the Bay of Ids at Hole in the Rock.
The view from Whangamumu Ridge looking NE toward
the USA!
The hiking around Whangamumu was hard and steep,
but it took us to great lookouts.
We also stopped in Whangaruru Bay -- The prefix
"whang" means "whales" in the Maori language.
The whale populations were almost wiped out for oil 100
years ago, and we saw none.