Cape Reinga, sandboarding and the Ninety Mile Beach

On Thursday morning we got up early (with some sore heads) to visit Cape Reinga, where the waters of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. The bus ride up was long but we were thankful neither of us had to drive. We had an excellent tour guide/bus driver named Barry who informed and entertained us for the day.

Our first stop was Puketi Kauri Forest with 1,000 year old Kauri trees.

They don't look as big in this picture

But they are...they say it's good luck to hug the tree 

We then headed to Cape Reinga, where according to Maori legend, spirits depart on their journey to the homeland - Hawaiki. The view is spectacular.

Can you see the color difference of the water? On the left is the Tasman Sea and on the right is the Pacific Ocean.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

With the battling waters behind us...

You can see the waves from the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean

It really was beautiful here

They didn't have a sign for New York!

A closer shot of "the meeting point"

Close up of the lighthouse

Pointing again - this time in a different pose

After a nice lunch along the beach, we headed towards Te Paki Stream to do some sandboarding down massive sand dunes on boogie boards. I wasn't sure if I was going to do it but am so glad I did. The walk up was treacherous so I only did it once. Paul went twice!

The sand dunes are huge!

Close up shot - pretty!

Paul is ready!

Steep climb doesn't quite describe it.

Paul sliding down

Feeling proud that we accomplished this dune!

 Check out the video of me sliding down:

And the video of Paul coming down the dune:

Our last stop of the day was the Ninety Mile Beach. Driving on the beach with a big bus was crazy, especially when we got stuck. But we were rescued by another bus so it was all good. It gave us more time on the beach to take pictures!

The famous "Hole in the Rock"

Nice reflection of the sky on the beach - it was very peaceful here

Our tour guide/bus driver Barry trying to get us "unstuck"

Tracks on the beach

Rescued!