Who thinks that the recent blog Jenny's favorite show "Sesame Street" dedicated, is mistaken. Rather, the results of the last exciting week are described. Moreover, in the notes: a few photos of the Tongan underwater world, to be submitted at this point. And off ...
The skin is golden brown, the mood is relaxed and in Schlüpper scraped still the odd grain of sand. No question, the Tonga Tourism and its effects are everywhere. But no sooner arrived back in Auckland, waiting for the next adventure for us. Anya and Andrew, cherished friends from Berlin have announced themselves. The two have been a little over a week with their rented camper-van "Aaron" spent in New Zealand, it has already explored the southern half of North Island. Now the north and the Greater Auckland are discovered. Since both come out no more from the rave about the camp, decide Jenny et moi, to also order a camper. Scarcely 12 hours after this beery idea we are already on the road, heading north. Our van is named "Elmo" and is comfortably furnished (bed, refrigerator, gas stove, sink and all kitchen utensils).
Just a few kilometers outside of Auckland you get the feeling to move into more tropical climes.
this beach is ours alone ... and a few sheep
The beaches are bright sandy, the picturesque beaches invite for swimming and the people make a welcoming feel. If only the weather would play there more. It rains quite often and a stiff breeze makes the Van vary dangerous. The first red cross on the map is an underwater nature reserve. Here you can well from the shore (or borrowed by diving equipment) observed a biodiversity that is indescribable. Well, the diversity is really for us difficult to describe. The diving rental is closed, and from the bank's view is then not so great, probably because of rough seas and strong wind. One can imagine here and there a few fish with blue fins, and a seal is shown. Nevertheless, we focus more on the walk on the beach, the patented shell collecting (and then leave again on the beach - is, after all, a nature reserve ... shit!) And the stunning coastal scenery
.
hach, a shell would have to be: just lying around all day lazing on the beach and listen to the sound of the sea
We forgot a little time. Already in the dark, we arrive at the campground of our choice. The reception is not occupied, by bell, however, the owner agreed. The colleague has probably no longer expected to visit. In any case, his flag makes the guess that he is blowing in our faces (which has not stopped him like this, come by car to the reception. Probably he could not run ...). dazed half a nice place to be visited. While the girls prepare good of the sacrament, André and I shoot a couple of interesting photos on the beach.
The first person who can guess which three symbols are shown here in Berlin, receives from Jenny NEN Lolli ...
particularly old, we are not on this evening, tired, the bed is assembled. Only by sleep is interrupted, since rain and a roof hatch left open not really understand.
The next morning the weather had not improved really, we can not spoil the mood and start the day with a hearty breakfast, with André the one time or another like a monkey in the circus between the two Campervans and forth swings. With a full belly, you go towards the Bay of Islands, but not directly, but via a roundabout way once back in the Pampa and past steep mountains and dangerous gravel trails right on the edge. In between, Andrew had to take the short term the role of a shepherd, because before him had posted a herd of woolly contemporaries. But the thrill was rewarded with a wonderful view at a dream beach.
see here does not look too steep ... but my hands were wet as Hakle
And how could it be otherwise, with gorgeous water in all facets of the blue color spectrum ...! On such a beautiful place you can have one or two hours while away time, just busy watching the Pacific Ocean beyond and to inflate the wind in your hair.
It was the same dangerous-looking dirt road back and really towards Bay of Islands, only interrupted by a photo stop and fast loops down the homemade bread. Our goal was actually Russell, this little town was in the guidebook as an idyllic and perhaps also touted some old-fashioned, in contrast to his very dark past (Russell was a pivotal point for cruises in the 18th and 19th centuries and was visited by robbers, pirates and other scum to durchzuzechen properly the nights). However, we were just a little disappointed with the city, perhaps also because of bad weather, turned around and put the ferry across to Paihia.
Paihia tourism is very modern and looks a little like herring or village like this: lots of small shops, a promenade and a lot of people. But at least now seemed the sun. We purchased a few more information on tomorrow, because we wanted to see dolphins and whales go and then we looked at the next campsite. He was lying next to Haruru Falls, a small waterfall in the dark lit impressed, especially by its extremely friendly and very helpful staff. Again, we were quickly in our bunks, for an exciting and thrilling next day we expected.
almost unreal ... the blue waters of the Bay of Islands
The morning will kick off with the obligatory shower, but in a shower, which was designed for hobbits. If yes somehow clear in the area here, but a shower head is just below chest height for normal people à la Legolas a real challenge, at least if one wants to wash his matted hair. That reminds me that Legolas have always greasy hair in the movies seemed, well ... other ...
With clenched thighs, the short drive started for the port. The previous day's planned itinerary is put into action. Before we know it, we sit in a quite large but fast ship, of course, on the outdoor deck. Already in the shelter of the bay is clear that the trip could be somewhat rough. Finally, there is a storm in the corner of New Zealand for weeks, and even now slim 35 knots are expected to wind, which should pile up a few decent waves. The first (and only) dolphin is not long in coming. Joyously bright, he shows a pose after another, until at last the nerd with a camera came to its cost.
has jemacht ne janz beautiful wave ...
had no fear (perhaps, therefore, the scratches on the back?): The dolphin
The further course of the tour are pretty athletic. We cling to the deck directly over the bow to the railing and enjoying the wild ride. The captain leaves the engine howl and the waves do the rest. The trip by the once highly diverse blue wet now remembers a roller coaster ride. "Good thing we're out in the fresh air," I think to myself, "inside it is not intended as comfortable!". After a few minutes, the magic is over. We go to a quiet bay (laaaaangweilig!). While the rest of the passengers normal to uninvolved impression, makes the adrenaline junkies to cover a wide grin carved into his face. The Highlight of the tour again after a rough ride, but we need to spend on deck (Mist!), then a large hole in a rock (Hole in the Rock). In good weather, this hole is traversed by boat. Today, it is too dangerous. The captain decides to go back half in the cave, so that we can take photos. I wonder today how dangerous this maneuver is to be ... sets ... the Kiwis!
The tree is perhaps not to look so good because we are stupid enough to just before him
the way, after we have solid ground under their feet (The return trip was unspectacular: tour of the island, looking for dolphins, come back), it is in a region which is home to this small nocturnal bird. The landscape is mountainous and secluded. A perfect retreat not only for Kiwis, but also for other living things. Such as the kauri, a mighty giant tree that was felled in the past almost entirely by man. What a shame! The trees are of enormous size and a real eye opener. As the day is well underway, we look for a campsite nearby. This is so remote that do not views of the owners on site. As always there for dinner a true culinary delight. The digestion fatigue and the long day can strum the eyes. André, however, is obsessed with the idea of spotting a kiwi. Each bird song is immediately identified as Kiwiruf. Several times short trips are made with the flashlight (behind the toilet house, behind the kitchen, the meadow by the river), each time without success. Eventually even the amateur ornithologist Andrew is ready to hop into bed. He did, however, is the toilet at night will almost certainly be a Kiwi. My opinion: "Yes, no, is clear!"
The tour group at the Poznan
early bird catches the worm, well, maybe after brushing. And anyway, this morning we had much rather take it easy. We decided then to almost directly to roar again in the direction of Auckland, as we had in terms of kauri trees, the most powerful and impressive things indeed seen already. The west coast of the Tasman Sea, however, promised not to be very big highlight, as the Lonely Planet (travel guide) had just two sides to work that to report to New Zealand. That should not cause for worry, our goal was about an hour before Auckland, the beach of Piha. Who aufmerkt at this point and says that he has read this name might have been here, which is quite right, but we wanted to André and Anja show this wonderful place nor unconditional. (In this area intensively Kumara - sweet potato - attached) After a long drive through a lot of agricultural area, the visit of a fully automated toilet (including romantic music) in Helensville and right across Auckland's afternoon traffic, we finally reached the place of destination. Piha received us with a joyful smile sun. We headed to the beach, hiked in the direction of Camelback, a huge rock with subsequent hole ("the Gap"), by whipping through the water at high tide. On a lookout, we enjoyed the beautiful sunset together due to apple juice.
The last night with Aaron, and Elmo was enjoyed to the full: we cooked one last time Aaron, sat comfortably together one last time in Elmo, enjoying the last supper, followed by bedtime (?) drink and slept for the last time Aaron and Elmo.
evening gymnastics ...
The almost last day of Anja and Andre took us again for varied weather, rain and sunshine to come here almost every minute the door handle. Back in Auckland, Aaron had just so exhausted with the last drop of fuel to the gas station, things were smashed at home and visited the shopping center. However, thousands of Aucklanders had the same idea so the shopping turned out to be very stressful. To escape the anthill, the shopping on the good old Queen Street we were moved around the corner. Since power-shopping makes you hungry, we took the opportunity to both a typical New Zealand food court to show, with its variety of Asian snacks and odors. But when we reached the scoring mile, all shops were closed, although, according to opening times for half an hour was left. It seems that in this area, the clocks are much, much faster than ours. But we were lucky, Basti favorite store had something left in the kitchen.
strengthened and a full stomach we went to the Skytower, where we had you here very lucky because we cheated all of us as students with associated discount by. In 220 meters, we could then, in spite of germ-strength windows, enjoy a magnificent view of the skyline and witnesses have been a firework.
The tip of the red arrow shows our home, where is the light straight out, so we are not there because we are on the Skytower, where this photo was taken .. .
Sunday it was necessary to make even the last shopping and to pack bags, including some of our stuff that we are in the rest of New Zealand residence no longer need. And just as we still wanted to leisurely drink coffee, it struck us like scales from their eyes. The time was changed the night before; actually, the two have been around for almost 30 minutes on the way to the airport. ... argh ... The ordered taxi turned out to be absolute impudence, as the driver was almost three times the normal price. So we grabbed the bags snorting wild, ran towards the bus shuttle and finally has caught a cheap taxi. Everything went well again, Anya and Andrew arrived on time and the aircraft had not an ounce too much! And we enjoyed the memories of an exciting week!
Here, as promised, the underwater photos of Tonga. Even if the quality is outstanding, but one can imagine the beauty of this silent world. But pictures say, finally, more than a thousand words ...
something seems to have scared these colorful little fish ... what can it be?
... Perhaps the most dangerous creatures of the South Seas: Moby Dick, the white whale ...
Or is this strange creature with Ruessel
a fire fish (! Three cheers for our reef shoes)
Almost invisible: this slender fish with the pointy nose (above)
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