Happy Birthday to Gpa!

The long and winding road, Hwy 1, dead-ends at the car park for Cape Reinga – “The Top of the Country” northern tip of NZ. A nice walking path leads to the iconic lighthouse built in 1941 and outstanding views of the seas, coastline and outer islands. The Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean collide here, creating some interesting wave action. Maori legend says the spirits of the departed leap from the mainland to begin their journey back to their homeland Hawaiiki.

FYI I didn't have the time or equipment to add to the signpost, but the distance from Cape Reinga to Beaver Dam WI per google is 13,165 km (8,180 miles).

Taking our time heading back south our 1st stop was The Giant Te Paki Sand Dunes – incredible never-ending super high sand dunes with native bush on one side and ocean on the other. You can rent a board to go sand boarding down the gigantic sand dunes; the challenge is having to climb back up! (We did this in 2011 when here before so opted out today.)

There were so many white sand beaches to stop at, including the 90 Mile Beach (technically a highway and more like 55 miles). Birthday boy was happy driving on the wide sand-packed beach and doing some donuts.

Slowly making our way south along a side road through the forest, we saw many wild horses galloping along.

Late afternoon we visited Gumdiggers Park, a well-preserved Gumfield and Gimdiggers’ Village from over 100 years ago. It also has an ancient Kauri forest where trees fell and were buried from a possible tsunami over 46,000 years ago with logs and stumps 100,000-150,000 years old. When damaged the tree produces sap to cover and protect the wound. The sap becomes hard lumps, fall off and is covered by forest litter. Thousands of years later it fossilizes into amber. The Maoris used the fresh gum for chewing, tattooing and lighting fires. The Europeans later discovered that it could make high quality varnish. From 1870 to 1920 gum digging was the major source of income in Northland NZ. Now we “know the rest of the story” about the great Kauri trees.

Settled for the night at Taipa along a long sandy beach we treated ourselves to a delicious dinner followed by flaming dark chocolate brownies (wouldn’t hold all the candles, so dowsed with rum and set aflame).

It was a happy day.
XOXOXOXO
Gma & Gpa