Holiday Highlights

School is lurking around the corner so I will wrap up my holiday escapades in Moomoo land quickly. In addition, it must be noted that this blog entry is the second attempt after sickening Blogger ate up part of this original post. Why do I still insist on sticking with this crap... Anyway, I digress...

Examinations ended promptly on 1st November for me but I together with Singaporean Yan Choo and Hong Konger Danny belatedly commence our holiday up North, after many bouts of delay courtesy of Grace. Ahd yes, Kelvin was exploited excessively and freely for his driving skills, although that was certainly a potentially life-endangering move...

7th November 2007: Puhoi
Puhoi was described in Lonely Planet was a little Bohemian town... and little was certainly an understatement.

Puhoi Town Library

This was officially the smallest library I had witnessed. Seriously, I had witnessed bigger public toilets than this.

Church of St. Peter and Paul

7th November 2007: Whangarei
Looking much like a town to me, Whangarei is the regional capital of Northland Region.

The Best Kickass Coffee

Whangarei Public Library

7th November 2007: Mangawhai
Fulfilling my curiosity on the "boutique" chocolate brand, Bennetts of Mangawhai, we made a quick detour to Smashed Pipi.
Nah, no pipis were hurt there.

7th November 2007: Paihia
Admittedly, after being distracted by all those stupid towns and "city", we finally reached the touristy Hokkien-sounding town of Paihia.

After dumping our bags at the overrated Saltwater Lodge, we rushed to the hallowed Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

On this spot, the controversial Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

Whare Runanga

Treaty House

35m War Canoe

I could sum up this attraction in one word...
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RETARDED. Not only was it a freaking waste of time, we found out later that one could actually sneak in without paying the entrance fee. Oh did I mention about the awkward "informative" documentary about the Treaty of Waitangi?

Beh! 3 crosses of disapproval.

We celebrated our stupidity with more beer.
8th November 2007: Paihia/Cape Reinga
After failing to secure a booking for an overnight cruise at the Bay of Islands, we were back on the original plan of "Northern Exposure Tours".

Manginangina Kauri Walk

Cape Reinga - The Northern Tip of New Zealand

Tapotupotu Bay

Huh?

Sand boarders

Ninety Mile Beach

Along the way, we met unexpected obstacles such as... Moooo...
At the end of the day, we retired to the basics: Fish and Chips with Black Vinegar
9th November 2007: Omapere
Omapere is one of few minuscule settlements along Hokianga. I usually dislike small towns (eg. Fox Glacier Township) but this place somehow has its own unique charm.

Cosy Hostel of Globetrekkers Lodge

The overfriendly dog being threatened by Danny

Arai te Uru Coastal Walkway

Evil Lurks Within

A quick chat with the staff at iSite brought us on a journey to witness the famed Waiotemarama Falls. Interestingly, we were advised to park our car at nearby Labyrinth Woodworks. All we had to do was inform Louis, the owner.

Louis

But Louis was a little overenthusiastic in presenting some of his puzzles to us. And thanks to Danny, I succeeded in convincing Louis that Hong Kongers are smarter than Singaporeans.

Damn those puzzles

We set off for the walk, eventually...

Jumping Danny

And the waterfall was literally underwhelming...

Okay fine. I got to see some Kauri trees though.
At 680m high, we wanted to conquer Mount Hauturu, the summit of the walk. But it was only much later in the middle of the walk, it finally dawn upon us that the whole journey would take 8 hours return!

To make it for the evening tour around Waipoua Forest, we headed back down.

Waipoua Forest accounts for about 75% of the Kauri trees, so it really holds much significance to the locals. Important permanent residents are Tāne Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere, the two largest kauri trees in the world.

Te Matua Ngahere, the Father of the Forest

at around 2000 years old!

Tāne Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest
Trunk volume: 244.5 cubic metres!

Okay, I admit. I didn't take the photo of Tāne Mahuta. Hey man, it was pitch black when the guide brought us there. Couldn't expect me to take a photo right?


10th November 2007: Leigh
Like much of the trip, Leigh was another impromptu decision made at Paihia the night before. And it turned out better than I expected.

After a horrendously tedious drive complete with killer slopes and turns, we finally reach the small coastal community Leigh where we snacked at Sawmill Cafe. Okay, what was supposed to be a snack turned out to be a complete lunch accompanied by locally freshly brewed beer.

Gratuitous Pizza: Fresh fish, dill aioli, cappers & lemon

Priced not-so-affordably at $22.50, we ended up ordering the second one still. Woodfired pizza never tasted so good in my life so this, my friends... will be my benchmark of an excellent pizza. Anything less spectacular will be subject to feigned delight and gentle sarcasm.

Satiated and intoxicated, we made our way to rent some horrible looking wet suits for snorkeling.

Feeling Blue

Just short of one for Fantastic Four

Lousy underwater Shots

A short distance where we snorkeled was Goat Island.

And that is Hen and Chickens Islands on the right...

And you thought New Zealand was only obsessed with cows and sheep...