I got to do my deep dive while we were still in Pahia. On a cold, gray day, we set out on the water in my first open dive boat, meaning we rolled into the water rather than the usual giant leap off the back (way better this way!). The black-looking water and the lack of sun only added to my usual apprehension of jumping in, but we had a break in the clouds as soon as we were under that turned the water green and made the colors at the bottom brilliant. The shipwreck was small, but riddled with marine life. Thousands of big-eyed fish peeked out at us from the hole in the hull. Little blue fish danced with our fingers and then tried to attack us when we got too close to their young. Swimming under the bow of the boat and looking up at the light coming down just made me think of Titanic. It was truly magical being down there and I'm looking forward to taking the wreck diving section of my advanced very soon.
After my dives, Billy was waiting for me so that we could continue further north. We stopped at a holiday park the first night and caught an amazing sunset along 90 Mile Beach. Yes, there is a beach that long at the tip of the country...and you can drive on it! We did a couple of circles around the area, but never did any serious driving. From what I've heard, there is a car graveyard out there from people not paying attention to the tides. If you're going to drive it, you need to be able to locate the hidden exits and if they're missed and the tide comes in, it's adios to your vehicle. Being the smart people that we are, we decided not to take the risk.
The next day brought us to Cape Reinga and to the warmth of the subtropical sun. It was gorgeous outside and the waters were blue. We walked out to the lighthouse at the tip of the country and could actually see the waves Pacific and the Tasman crashing into each other from opposite directions. The waves do a little dance and swirl about and the two different colors of the water blend together before colliding with the rocks of the penninsula. We were able to find camp not far from there that night and we laid on the beach and played in the surf most of the afternoon.
We went back to the Cape for the sunset that evening and met an Argentinian couple that has been traveling for nine years...and had four kids during their travels!! They are driving around in this weird old car that goes no faster than 55kph, but uses the engine to heat up hot dogs as they drive. Their kids were adorable and spoke both English and Spanish. I got along pretty well with the youngest, Wallaby (born in Australia, of course), who wasn't yet walking. Their story is pretty fantastic and they've written a book, Spark Your Dream, which they tried to have me pay $35 for (this was the second $35 book that I was offered in the exact spot, the first was earlier in the day and the author was an ex-con who used to be the leader of the Mongrols, a gang here in New Zealand...yikes!). They've made it through the Americas and Canada, Australia, now New Zealand and next is Asia. How they've not killed each other or one of their bouncing kids is beyond me!
We met an English girl as we were leaving the campsite the next morning and formed our little Toyota van caravan back down to a surfing beach, Ahipara. We picked up a young American guy, Ben, along the way. Since our 100 kilometer ride with Ben, we've seen him twice and have heard from three others where he is and what he's doing. Apparently everyone in New Zealand knows Ben. It's random.
Ahipara was a beach day. Alexa and Billy surfed and I laid around enjoying the scenery. It was a small town with no accommodation and only one general store, so we stocked up on a few things and then parked the cars by the beach until the next morning. We met another American girl parked next to us who has been living out of her van for a year and heading back to the states soon. I almost bought her van...I need one of these things! That's how people do it out here and I just wish I would've as soon as I arrived. Now I'm down to five weeks left and the time lost on trying to sell it in the end would just be too much. I guess I know for next time.
I got my first little paddle with a surfboard just before leaving the beach the next morning. Billy let me borrow his and I played around in the very small waves for a while. It's a lot harder than it looks! Just balancing on those things is difficult. I didn't attempt getting up, or really even catching a wave. There was nothing to catch on that very calm morning. It was a good lesson in core strength though. I'll be glad I had that when I actually go out and attempt it one of these days.
From the coast, we broke up from the rest of the group and headed down through the giant Kauri forest for a night. It was beautiful, but just a small stopping point on our journey south of Auckland. Yesterday we arrived in Mt. Manganui and this town is awesome. Just a small beach town with lots of things to do and see. We camped last night and this morning Billy and his van left me at a hostel. I've been laying on the beach all day and applying loads of sunblock. The water was warm and I was able to make it out there before all of the kids arrived. Tonight will be chill for me as I am an independent traveler again. Tomorrow I'm pointing my compass south. It's time to leave my beloved beaches and check out some mountain trekking. I'm hoping to stay in one spot for a while down there as I make some decisions on the rest of my New Zealand adventure.
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