March 2017

Erin and Lysa go Adventuring

A 15-day adventure by Lys Read more

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Trip start
March 3, 2017
Erin and Lysa go Adventuring Traveler
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Day 1
Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 567 m
Australia Veterans Park -35.277565, 149.1288635°16’39” S 149°7’44” E
It Begins at the Bus Stop
March 3, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
See ya later Canberra. XO
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Day 1
Friday, March 3, 2017 at 1:00 PM
🌧 18 °C
Altitude: 612 m
Australia Long Wills Hill -34.402901, 150.50781334°24’10” S 150°30’28” E
It Begins
March 3, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
We are off; luggage packed, passports in hand and excited nerves tingling through our bodies. The next two weeks are full of unknowns; but it will be beautiful, daring, wild and exciting. We can't wait.

Lysa and Erin
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Day 1
Friday, March 3, 2017 at 5:04 PM
🌧 21 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Australia Alexandra Canal -33.939075, 151.16545133°56’21” S 151°9’56” E
Final Supper
March 3, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Filling our bellies and enjoying wine while we wait for the plane. Well, I had wine.... Erin had a latte.
Rachel BarnsleyBet it was chai!
3/4/17Reply
TravelerBingo!
3/4/17Reply
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Day 2
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 12:23 AM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 41 m
New Zealand Poturi Stream -36.915955, 174.66133136°54’57” S 174°39’41” E
Bedtime wrap
March 4, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We made it! We are now safe and sound in Auckland, New Zealand. We spent a little extra time at Sydney Airport due to the stormy weather but got here in the end.

There was a little bit of trouble getting our phones to load New Zealand maps. There we were sitting in the airport car park, no maps on either of our phones and me feeling a little silly as I had just told the sales assistant we didn't need a gps as we had our phones. I was hoping that we could find a servo nearby and purchase a map when Erin's phone kicked into gear; 20mins later we pull up to a cosy little house, that has a lovely soft bed. What more could you ask for? Crisis adverted and a warm bed.

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Rachel BarnsleyCa-ute
3/4/17Reply
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Day 2
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 12:51 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 72 m
New Zealand Mount Hobson -36.861362, 174.77818336°51’41” S 174°46’41” E
Auckland Museum
March 4, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Fun Fact: the Egyptian Mummy cost £5 (granted that was over 100 years ago).
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Day 2
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 3:33 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 262 m
New Zealand DOME FOREST -36.358646, 174.61415136°21’31” S 174°36’51” E
Dome Lookout
March 4, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Quick stretch of the legs and found this view.

Erin piked so I decided to run most of it.
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Day 2
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 9:35 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 33 m
New Zealand Puketona -35.279297, 173.99926835°16’45” S 173°59’57” E
Bedtime Wrap
March 4, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Today we went the Museum of Auckland. Then we had breakfast (but it was at 1pm so really it was lunch). The best part of the museum was the music exhibit because it had lots of stuff for us to play with.

Then we had to drive for 3 hours to get to Kerikeri (near the Bay of Islands). As we drove along we decided to stop at Dome Lookout. It was a windy path with lots and lots of stairs. I thought it was only a 5 to 10 minute walk up but I was wrong. I couldn't take it any more so I went back down to the car. Lysa kept going to the lookout. When Lysa got back to the car she was all sweaty. She had decided to run; in her jeans and heels.

We kept on driving North, I kept falling asleep in the car but also needed to help Lysa with directions. I think we are getting better at directions now. Barely get lost anymore.

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Day 3
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 9:55 AM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 7 m
New Zealand Haruru -35.277678, 174.05181135°16’40” S 174°3’7” E
Haruru Falls
March 5, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Erin walked the whole thing! It was only 200m loop.
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Day 3
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 12:18 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 120 m
New Zealand Haumi River -35.28807, 174.07972835°17’17” S 174°4’47” E
Bay of Islands Lookout
March 5, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Erin made it to the top! What a champion. Whoop Whoop.
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Day 3
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 2:16 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Black Rocks -35.193237, 174.13357535°11’36” S 174°8’1” E
Bay of Islands
March 5, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Picturesque doesn't even do this place justice.

Also that baby dolphin, goes by the name of French Toast.
Helen BarnsleyThe pictures are stunning and the weather looks great too. Hope you're having a ball
3/6/17Reply
TravelerWe are having fun. Lots more posts to go up, just need some WiFi. Stay Tuned.
3/6/17Reply
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Day 3
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 2:57 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Cape Brett -35.162033, 174.33663835°9’43” S 174°20’12” E
Motu Kōkako
March 5, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Or as the then Lieutenant James Cook named it, Hole in the Rock. The Cavern was created by erosion from rain running off the island and wearing away the rock... That's a lot of rain!
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Day 3
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 4:01 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 11 m
New Zealand Urupukapuka Bay -35.221775, 174.23338335°13’18” S 174°14’0” E
Otehei Bay
March 5, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
This is a bay located on Urupukapuka, the largest island within the Bay of Islands.
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Day 3
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 6:13 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 11 m
New Zealand Matauwhi Bay -35.261538, 174.12152335°15’42” S 174°7’17” E
Russell
March 5, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Finished off the day in Russell; which boasts a lot of things that claim to be old. We both enjoyed a wine at the Duke of Marlborough Pub; the oldest pub in New Zealand. You can see the first liquor licence ever issued by the New Zealand Government hanging near the bar. Next we visited the oldest fishing club in New Zealand and enjoyed fresh seafood for dinner. Both of these 'oldest' make sense if you consider the fact that Russell was traditionally a port and the largest town in the South Pacific whaling region of the 1900s.

To finish the evening off, we watched the sun set over the bay. Beautiful.

Also, did you see the weight of that Marlin? 300kg+Read more
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Day 3
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 9:49 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 30 m
New Zealand Puketona -35.279306, 173.99922335°16’46” S 173°59’57” E
Bedtime Wrap
March 5, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Erin and I hit the ground running today. First up, breakfast at El Cafe, which was Mexican styled breakfast food; surprisingly delicious and great coffee.

We followed breakfast with a quick stroll up a hill (Erin made it this time) to enjoy a beautiful view of the Bay of Islands. Erin absolutely smashed it too; suggested walking time was 40 minutes to the summit and we did it in 45 minutes return.

It was back to Paihia; to jump on a boat and tour the bay. Absolutely stunning. Erin loved the dolphin pod we found; the dolphins did have great names like French Toast and Ripper. I particularly enjoyed Motu Kōkako or Hole in the Rock. The photos don't show the grand scale of the cavern. It was definitely an eerie feeling as we drove through it knowing 1000kg plus of rock was currently above our heads.

We finished the day off with wine, dinner and a sunset in Russell; the orginal capital of New Zealand. It was a rather pretty scene, eating dinner and looking across the Bay towards Paihia.

We had a slight oops moment on our drive back to our accommodation. We are staying at a hobby farm just outside of Kerikeri, our GPS took us along a dirt road...

An unknown dirt road, at night; in the pitch black, full of potholes, sharp blind bends, closed gates and cows. Wasn't the easiest road to drive and there was a time or two when I wondered if our little Corolla was going to make it up a hill. Luckily it did and now it's time to grab some shut eye so we can do it all again tomorrow.

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Day 4
Monday, March 6, 2017 at 11:59 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 2 m
New Zealand Treaty House -35.267475, 174.08253535°16’3” S 174°4’57” E
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
March 6, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Kia ora.

This place has so much history and is a place of contention for many Maori people. The Treaty of Waitangi, was signed at here on 6 February 1840. This treaty is arguably the founding document of New Zealand. Although the translation of the English word 'sovereignty' to the Maori word 'kawanatanga' meaning governance gives rise to the question, was soverigity ever relinquished?

This place was amazing and I recommend it to anyone visiting the Bay of Islands. Highly educational, beautiful landscape and just generally fascinating.

The house pictured, Treaty House was actually built in Australia, dismantled and then reconstructed in Waitangi. The builders thoughtful placed Roman numerals along the studs to allow for easy reconstruction. Who knew prefabricated buildings existed in the 1830s.

The stump pictured behind us was one of three giant trees used to make the giant waka taua, war canoe. The waka taua is 35.7 metres long.Read more
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Day 4
Monday, March 6, 2017 at 2:44 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 9 m
New Zealand Kawakawa -35.380158, 174.06735°22’49” S 174°4’1” E
Kawakawa Public Toliets
March 6, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
All public toliets should be this clean and pretty.

Designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
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Day 4
Monday, March 6, 2017 at 3:01 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 40 m
New Zealand Mohinui Marae -35.408455, 174.08366435°24’30” S 174°5’1” E
Kawiti Caves
March 6, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Home to 30,000 glow worms, which it turns out are quite ugly when seen in the light.

No photos from inside the cave because the flash effects these little bugs.

If you were wondering, their scientific name is arachnocampa luminosa. Basically arachno because they have a web (well itactually is more like a fishing line), campa because they create a cocoon, and luminosa because their tails glow.

Final Fact: New Zealand Glow Worms are cannibals, it will eat both the adult gnat version of its self or the larva verision.Read more
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Day 4
Monday, March 6, 2017 at 4:37 PM
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 44 m
New Zealand Paranui Falls -35.68477, 174.33584735°41’5” S 174°20’9” E
Whangarei Falls
March 6, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
Quick stop to stretch our legs.
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Day 4
Monday, March 6, 2017 at 5:37 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 96 m
New Zealand North Auckland -35.934212, 174.34912235°56’3” S 174°20’57” E
Waipu Caves
March 6, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
At least four people here with metal detectors, must be a good place to fossick.
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Day 4
Monday, March 6, 2017 at 11:13 PM
🌙 17 °C
Altitude: 10 m
New Zealand Whangamata Harbour -37.198151, 175.87298637°11’53” S 175°52’23” E
Bedtime Wrap
March 6, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Today we visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. There was an art gallery, featuring Māori Women artists with political agendas. We walked bit around the Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi. Next we did a guided tour of the grounds and learnt about the history of New Zealand. We finished the tour at the carved meeting house (Te Whare Rūnanga) and learnt about Māori culture. Then we looked at the historic Treaty House. We also visited the largest ceremonial war canoe called Ngātokimatawhaorua.

Then we had lunch at Whare Waka Cafe. Lysa had a big falafel pita pocket and I had a big serve of nachos.

Next was the gift shop where we looked around and then visited the carving center & resident carver or whakairo showed us two different musical instruments. He should us how men, women and children all played the instruments differently. He also showed us some decorative weapons and how to use them. Then went to finish the rest of the Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi. I would recommend the Treaty grounds for everyone it is great fun to explore.

We jumped back into the car and drove to the Kawakawa Hundertwasser's toilets.

We also made some last minute stops at a couple of caves and a waterfall. One of the caves had glow worms.

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Day 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:52 AM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Maukaha Rocks -37.214578, 175.88908337°12’52” S 175°53’21” E
WhatSUP?
March 7, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Spent the morning at Whangamata. Managed to get in a sunrise over the harbour. Gave SUP a try. Killed it!
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Day 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 3:49 PM
🌧 18 °C
Altitude: 8 m
New Zealand Cathedral Cove -36.828797, 175.79037536°49’44” S 175°47’25” E
Cathedral Cove
March 7, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Got there in the nick of time... Rain set in as we left.
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Day 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 5:40 PM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: 48 m
New Zealand Waimama Bay -37.279055, 175.88377537°16’45” S 175°53’2” E
Windy Roads and Heavy Rain
March 7, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
It poured this afternoon which made New Zealand's windy roads a little bit more challenging.
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Day 5
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:52 PM
🌧 17 °C
Altitude: 21 m
New Zealand Kopurererua Stream -37.706101, 176.15279137°42’22” S 176°9’10” E
Bedtime Wrap
March 7, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Today was the day I had planned to watch the sunrise on the beach. Erin was not so interested and valued her sleep more. So we compromised; I'd watch the sunrise over the harbour, which was opposite our accommodation and she would be ready before 8am. The sunrise was stunning and with a rise time after 7 am hardly any imposition at all.

The early start was in order to get in a paddle to Hauturu Island, an island located a couple 100 metres off shore. We chose to stand up paddle board, Erin was a bit apprehensive at first and allowed our guide to tow her out there. Erin then had another go and this time quickly got to her feet and was soon motoring along. On the way back I got a little more adventurous and started to test the limits of the board. I found them and lost my sunnies to the deep blue as a result. On the plus side I did successfully ride a couple waves.

We then scurried off towards Cathedral Cove as the clouds were starting to roll in. Then it was another trek down a hill. Erin was very unimpressed. But what a sight, these rock formations are magnificent, mother nature at her finest. The walk back to the car was a little damp because the rain caught us and quickly set in.

Finally we made our way to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. Both of us were exhausted after today, so opted for a quixk pub meal before heading off to bed.

More stories to come.

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Day 6
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 1:03 PM
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 216 m
New Zealand Mount Maunganui -37.630303, 176.17202837°37’49” S 176°10’19” E
Mauao and Mount Maunganui Hot Pools
March 8, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Terrible weather today, but we braved the elements and made it to the top of Mauao an extinct volcano on the mouth of the harbour. Even found a trig point. By the time we got back to the bottom we were drenched, so warmed up in the natural hot springs. These are the only salt water springs in New Zealand and were just what we needed.Read more
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