6 Nov 2014 - Paihia

What an amazing day!

We were collected from the hotel at 7:30am for transfer to Salt Air at the airport. The plane was an 8 seater wing over single engine unit. Departed airport and tracked up the west coast at 2600ft ASL to the most northern point of the country. At this height we were able to see all the features, landmarks and points of interest.

We saw oyster farms, vineyards, orchards and sustainable forests getting a commentary from the pilot en-route. We got a good idea of the varying vegetation, agriculture and horticulture.

We flew the entire length of 90 Mile Beach on the west coast, then landed on a grass strip on a private farm and changed to a minibus for a trip to some key points of interest.

First stop the lighthouse at Cape Reinga where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. This area is steeped in Maori mythology.

Onwards for a 10 minute drive to a small inlet and seculded beach for a cuppa. Then to Te Paki sand dunes - giant sand dunes people toboggan down. They were created over 1000s of years and some are over 100 meters high.

Back to the plane for the onward flight down the east coast and saw the varied sands - some silica (white) and sandstone (cream), the volcanic creater now and inland bay and flew over Russell and the islands of the Bay of Islands. Landed back at the Kirikeri Airport and shuttled back into Paihia.

This was an amazing experience for us and the best way to see the magnificence of the area - much which would not have been seen from the road.

Leisurely lunch in Paihia and a look around the shops then wandered back to the motel.

Heading south tomorrow to Rotorua via Auckland.

Today's temperatures: Min 6. Max 16

Today's insights...

According to New Zealand ledgend the souls of departed Moari leap into the sea at Cape Reinga to make the journey back to their spiritual homeland of Hawaiki.

90 Mile Beach is classified as a national highway and the same road rules apply as for any other road. Police do patrol the beach especially in the busy times.

90 Mile Beach is not 90 miles long, is actually 64 miles. It was named because the Maori herding cattle from one end of the beach to the cattle yards at the other end estimated they could walk the cattle about 30 miles a day and it took 3 days - they were out a little in their estimation.