It wasn't the most promising of mornings! When the alarm went off for an early start to Cape Reinga we didn't get up. We have the blind drawn back so it is easy to see our lovely view, except that it wasn't a lovely view it was wet and misty! We didn't quite turn over and go back to sleep but we didn't leap out raring to go.

By the time we had had breakfast we could see breaks in the clouds and things were definitely improving. We left just after 9am and headed off for the very tip of North Island. Most people who make this trip do so in coaches and they usually go along 90 Mile Beach one way and back down the road. 90 Mile Beach is almost what it says - it is actually 90km which is quite a bit less but anyway is a very long beach, backed by dunes (more of those later). It is fine for coaches to drive on the beach and even 4WD but not hire cars and certainly not Toyota Corollas! However, so we wouldn't miss out on the experience altogether, we went down to the place where the coaches go onto the beach. Although lovely I think it could get a bit boring travelling along 90km of sand and dunes!

Coaches beginning the '90 mile' beach drive

Having looked at the beach we then continued on the road in a northerly direction. Our next stop was much further north and was at the point where the coaches come off the beach. In order to do this they have to drive up the Te Paki stream - yes actually up the stream! It is very shallow admittedly but you mustn't stop as there are areas of very soft sand and you could easily get stuck!

Vehicle starting to descend Te Paki stream

Enormous sand dunes at Te Paki

Also at this point there are absolutely huge sand dunes, probably at least 500 feet high, which you can "surf" down on a board if you so desire. It looked like a young and mad person's activity so we just photographed. Journeying on, we soon came to Cape Reinga. It is a very special place for the Maoris and one can understand why. They believe that when people die their spirits come here to climb down the old pohutukawa tree that grows right on the end and then jump into the sea to go to the next world.

Cape Reinga lighthouse

Not only is it at "the end" of NZ it is also the place where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific and the waters are anything but pacific! By now the weather was perfect but even on such a lovely day the waters were troubled. You also get wonderful views down the coasts each way and particularly to Cape Maria van Diemen, which is the most westerly point of North Island.

Cape Maria van Diemen

By now we were getting rather hungry and as you are requested not to eat or drink at the Cape as it is a sacred place we moved on to Tapotupotu Bay for lunch. This is a delightful cove with crashing waves and even with picnic tables so it seemed perfect - except that we had only been there a few minutes when two coach loads of people arrived to share it with us!

On our drive back down we stopped at Rarawa Beach. We had read that it had the finest white sand - so fine it squeaked when you walked on it - and had to find out if it was true! Well the answer is that it was exceptionally fine and sort of squeaked when you walked on it! It was a beautiful beach and we enjoyed paddling in the warm pools of water left by the outgoing tide and indeed in the sea itself. We were pleased to share this beach with a few pied stilts.

On Rarawa beach

As we came south the weather did deteriorate again and we came through a heavy shower but since reaching Cable Bay it has been fine. We have enjoyed fish and chips from a recommended place in nearby Mangonui, whilst sitting on our balcony and now, even though the sun has set, we still have our patio doors wide open. Actually we haven't because as I wrote that, something unwanted flew in and Steve has shut them!