Haruru Fall, Kerikeri, Manganui, Te Paki, Cape Reinga

  Haruru Falls**** A relaxing waterfall with horseshoe shape =) Though there are warning signs at the carpark of theft.. hehe.. Just becareful not to leave valuables in the car...

This is one great beginning to a full adventure day.

Stone Store @ Kerikeri****, NZ's oldest stone building, built in 1832..

The Stone Store is of national and international significance as the oldest surviving commercial building in New Zealand, demonstrating the early stages of the country's connection with international trade. It is the oldest remaining building linked with the import of goods from overseas, the storage of produce grown in New Zealand and the bartering of goods with Maori.

Here we see a collection of old goods that were used to be traded.. The stone store is open to public viewing and there are goods sold in there too..

There is a nice garden for a lovely stroll at the stone store and we just spent some time capturing the beautiful flowers...

The grapes in summer!

Driving on from Kerikeri, we stopped by at Mangonui. Here's the 'world famous' fish and chips... Really? We have to try!

Two BIG seagulls waiting eagerly for fish and chips!! Review: Yea, fresh fish, but we don't remember the taste though, so must be average..

Our highlight of the day: Sandboarding @ Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes*****~ Great, we can burn the fish and chips calories here! This is certainly one of the must do in Northland, and we can't wait! We rent two sand boards (as we are not allow to share) for NZD15 each... Well there's only one stall there, unless you bring your own boogie board..

Before the climbing up of the super steep dunes, let's take some relaxing picture :P

OMG, I think we took at least 10minutes climbing up these super steep dunes with soft sand that every step we take is just exhaustive...! Then it is about 20 seconds of happiness & adrenalin rush down the dunes.. WOOHOOO..... But totally worth it.. we manage to get 4 rounds I think... haha....

After the tiring fun sandboarding, we are at Cape Reinga*****!!

Cape Reinga, the almost most north westerly point of NZ!

Cape Reinga Lighthouse*****

It is here we choose to perform 'hongi'... the Maori way, sharing the breath of life... =)

The meeting of two seas,  Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

Unforgettable sunset... Breathtaking views...

Cape Farewell, Wharariki Beach, Farewell Split

Golden Bay 

Pillar Point track to lighthouse, 1 hr return

The lighthouse not much to see, but its a good view from the top as we can see the Farewell Spit. Not very clear picture and the strong winds around this area blows these sand dunes...

Cape Farewell***** 10min walk to this most northernmost point of NZ south island. Loving summer @ NZ!! Finally we get many sunny days..

 Bye Bye Cape Farewell~~

Wharariki Beach***** 20min walk one way, but it feels more than that because during the last bit the track goes along the sand dune and with the wind so strong, it takes more effort to finally reach the beach. The beach is absolutely beautiful.

Rocks with arches formed through the erosion process of thousands of years make the view even better!

And a surprise awaits us, walking further south of the beach we saw a seal cub playing in the pools of water. So adorable, with its big shiny eyes, with curiosity it swim towards Angie and wanted to sniff her hand! Angie afraid it might bite so retract her hand a little.

Then the cub just got scared by her gesture and swam awaay.... Aaahhh... Don't go yet..

Coffee break again~~

The wind and sea together eroded the sand dunes and helped shaped this Farewell Spit. There is a 2.5 hours walk around the spit and we tried to walk, eventually we can't find the track to outer beach, return on the same route.

Farewell Spit, the shape of a Kiwi! So amazing..

We thought yesterday's 26km Abel Tasman was tired enough for our legs but today walking on the sand dunes after sand dunes is so damn exhausting! With the wind against us. Gosh, what a day but the view at Cape Farewell and Wharariki beach is well worth it! We eventually comfort ourselves with a sweet treat of Choc Fondue! With the mixed berries 'picked' from the orchard at Blenheim, here's how it looks!

P&A special Chocolate fondue (melted Whittakers 5 roll refined creamy milk chocolate) with marshmallow, summer berries (cherries, boysenberries, rasberries) and kiwiana's kiwi fruit. Yummy!!!!!!

Free camp at Waitapu bridge, Takaka near turnoff to Pupu springs

Tasman Glacier, Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo

Mount Cook

Third day at Mount Cook, today we took the Tasman Glacier Lake***** short walk, 1 hr return.

This track allows us to look at the East face of Mount Cook

Beautiful day.. 

Lake Pukaki again... Means we are leaving Mount Cook already... =.=

Goodbye~~ Making our way to another highlights of Canterbury, Lake Tekapo...Many travelers say they are so captivated by Lake Tekapo and stayed at this town longer than planned.. we'll see why soon! 

Church of Good Shepherd @ Lake Tekapo

Probably appeared in most travelers' album of NZ if they have gone to south Island before =D

Colorful Lupin flowers decorating the Church & Lake Tekapo so perfectly..

We too, charmed by this opalescent blue coloured lake much, wants to cook and have dinner with Sunset here =) Thus, our cooking shelter above, very much effort put in securing our shelter from the strong wind!

Lupin dancing @ Lake Tekapo