We readied the bags, packed some snacks, put the sunblock on, and hit the roads.
Auckland > Warkworth >Wellsford > Waipu > Whangarei > Paihia > Waitangi > Kerikeri > Mangonui > Kaitaia > Ahipara > Awanui > Cape Reinga > Te Paki > Opononi > Waipoua Forest > Dargaville > Kaipara Coast > Hellensville > Kumeu > Auckland
To give you an idea how far we've gone, check this
link.
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| Sunrise at Waipu |
Paihia
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| Paihia - Gateway to the Bay of Islands |
Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
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| Ngatokimatawhaorua - Old Maori War Canoe |
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| Maori wood carving art |
Primitive Maori stuffs.
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| Treaty of Waitangi Flags |
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| Te Whare Runanga |
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| Maori performers |
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| Old hemp for trades |
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| Treaty House |
The walk to and from the actual Treaty House passes by a forest/park. The atmosphere is really natural and welcoming making this haven a habitat to some of the native birds (we've actually had an initimate moment with a few birds there and this experience makes you really feel one with nature - cuckooo!). I didn't bring my telephoto lens meaning to bird shots this time..
Before heading to Kaitaia we stopped by to see this waterfall and passed by Kerikeri.
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| Haruru Falls |
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| Keri Keri Stone Store |
Inside the Stone Store they sell a variety of vintage tools and accessories..
and a couple of Hippie goodies!
I was upset that I fogot about the sunset over dinner but I still drove to Ahipara since that's the nearest beach from our place in Kaitaia hoping I could catch some sun. Upon getting there, the sun is already gone but the
blue hour was just to begin..
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| Sunset at Ahipara |
Stopping by for lunch before heading to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse.
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| Tapotupotu Bay |
Cape Reinga - top of the North Island.
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| Lone Pohutukawa Tree |
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| Facing Tasman Sea |
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| Cape Reinga Lighthouse afar |
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| Belittling the Lighthouse |
Here's a photo of the famous
90 Mile Beach. The bus driver was in such hurry and I wasn't able to potray a different angle showing the vast strech this beach has to offer (55kms! Read
here)
Went back to Ahipara Beach the second time around to shoot the sunset..
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| Parents' silhouettes |
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| Rainbow after the rain |
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| Tourists watching sunset |
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| Sunset at Ahipara Beach - second attempt |
The beautiful town of Oponuni.
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| Overview of Oponuni |
Last stop before I fell asleep..
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| Kaipara Coast |
Summer is yet to finish: the car mileage is still low and there's still some sunblock left, so expect some more trips and photoshoots in the coming weeks!
-O
