Driving day from Auckland to Waitomo Caves. Booked tour with Black Water Rafting Co. for caving expedition tomorrow. Top 10 Holiday Park Waitomo Caves-beautiful, quiet campsite in Waitomo Valley. hot and sunny. Lazy day spent around pool and hot tub.

Took ferry from Kohokohu to Rawene on back roads from Ahipara-narrow, winding road.Had to stop for farmer on ATV with his 2 dogs, herding his cows down the middle of the road. Stopped at Opononi - beautiful turquiose water and sandy beaches. Drove through Waipoua Forest which is home to 2 of New Zealand`s largest kauri trees - Tane Mahuta and Te Matua, both over 2000 years old. Hiked through kauri forest to see them - amazing! Pictures just do not show how big th...

Drove to Kaitia for tour. Visited the Ancient Kauri Kingdom where they have logs and stumps from local swamps, some of which are 45,000years old and have survived 2 ice ages. The carvings are unbeliveable. Hourhora Head harbour to see Mount Camel, a tall volcanic outcrop at the mouth of the harbour. Walked on Rarawa Beach, white silica sand so fine it was like flour. Picnic lunch at Tapotuopotu bay, a beautiful sandy beach on the Pacific Ocean. Cape Reinga lighth...

Left campsite and drove to Haruru Falls- same but very pretty. Toured Paihia and had lunch at Vinnie's Takeaway- dory fish and chips. Drove to Kaitaia thru rolling countryside and farm lands. Mangamuka Gorge State Reserve, winding, twisty road thru rain forest, very jungle like! Stopped at Farmer's Market for fruit and meat. Booked tour for next day. Camped at Ahipara Holiday Park, nicest so far with beautiful hydrangea hedges.

Walked around Inglewood, CA this am for 3 hours looking for geocaches-no luck but explored the area! went to Hollywood Park and saw racetrackand casino. Went to LAX and met Sarah and Peter's plane. Had lunch at a Mars themed circular restaurant called Encounters. Then headed to our gate for the flight to Auckland. Left at 10:00 pm April 17 and arrived April 19 at 545 am. Long flight but not too bad-having the skycouches helped. Picked up campervan and had first ...