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...

Taranaki Falls, Tongariro National Park

Looks fantastic?

Haha, this is not Taranaki Falls.

Another beautiful day at Tongariro National Park. We were a bit reluctant to go for the Taranaki Falls track near Whakapapa village visitor center since we thought we had the best views yesterday at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Lucky us we still feel energetic and walk this short track of 2 hrs.

 That is the one!!!!!!!! It is just breathless...

Taranaki Falls

It was a short walk with amazing views! A must go around the village. Really great views of the Mt Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and can even see Mt Taranaki as we walk towards the waterfall. And the waterfall is really cool, splashing 25metres into a pool.

Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom)...

Mt Ruapehu

After that walk, we drive up the Bruce road to Whakapapa ski base. From here, there's a chairlift that takes people up to the highest cafe in NZ, at altitude of 2020metres for $30 return. Then from up there, people can hike up Mt Ruapehu to see the Crater Lake... But the walk is close because there is risk of volcanic hazards. ....... Anyhow we went for a 30min walk Meads Wall Walk, starting just beside the chairlift. Also a must walk! Stunning cliffs and overview of the valley. And scary looking molten rocks.. This is also the filming location of Lord of the Rings.

The far far away Mt Taranaki.. or Mount Fuji lookalike..? =)

Mt Doom again...

Something interesting while we are taking our time exploring the volcanic rocks, a photographer is taking picture of a lady, interesting cause she's half nude.. Imagine yourself taking such artistic pictures high up the cliff with Mt Doom as background, cooling.... 

Can't believe we are leaving Tongariro so soon.. It is so so beautiful, on a sunny day like this!

One of our fav veges in NZ, the green stuff: KamoKamo, taste like zucchini.. 

7 Metres Waterfall @ Kaituna River Rafting Adventure

Rotorua Wet n Wild water rafting (grade 5)*****

We bought this Kaituna river grade 5 rafting from bookme.co.nz from Wet n Wild company. Costing NZD70 pp, normal price is NZD99.

It was a fabulous, fun, awesome rafting experience! We have done water rafting back home in Gopeng, but this is different. We had two smaller waterfalls to go for training then the magnificent 7 metre waterfall!

Here is the first waterfall...

And the second smaller stuff... Before this huge one below:

The ultimate 7metre drop..

OMG, the boat is actually going vertical at the 7metre drop. We did not flip over, at some point after that drop, we hoped it would flip, more fun. But it was wild enough, the whole raft just gone underwater in a few seconds. then we are back up paddling. When we look at that waterfall, it is just amazing and we survived it. It is actually the highest waterfall that can be commercially rafted in the world.

Trying to regain our position after being submerged in the water..

Victory!

Another highlight of this tour is 'surfing' the rapids! It was good fun, as we paddle down the rapid, then going back at the bottom of it and wait for the water to push us down and up, and again and again. The front seat people got splashed the most!

Splashed by the rapids!

Although it lasted only 45 minutes, the rest of the river and falls is too dangerous to raft and we had good fun already! These photos actually would costs $40 per group of people, and the good lads we had in the same raft who bought the pictures promised to send the pictures to us after they are back  home from the summer holidays. And they really did send us these pictures! Simply amazing...

Then it's relaxing time at Lime Cafe, Rotorua with caramel macadamia slice. Our first time trying cake slices in NZ, which they are quite popular while our fav cheesecakes are not popular in NZ and many cafes don't know how to make a good one. The cake slice turn out to be quite good, with very strong taste. But cheesecake is better! =P

Bealy Valley, Devils Punchbowl falls at Arthur's Pass

Arthur's Pass National Park*****

Bealy valley track 1 hr return

Dobson nature walk

Bealy River

Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall,131 metres

Kimchi Noodles with Kimchi Mandu (Dumplings)