Trip to Northland - touching the Cape

First encounter with "mimosa", just out of Pahia 

 Kerikeri - historical building.

 Kerikeri used to be a trading post. The building on the left has been kept as a museum/shop. You can see lots of things from what Mano calls "the olden days". Nail mills, strange portable harps, ink and feathers to write...

 Need I say that there are such things as the Kerikeri volcanics?

 Mano feasting on the botanic garden. He loves taking pictures of flowers.

 Back on the road for an hour or so, Mangonui

 We looked but this time the hermit crabs were mega quiet.

Another couple of hours furhter, through Kaitaia, then following the Ninety Mile Beach.

Last couple of hours in the sun at Cape Reinga. Cape Reinga is a very significant place for Maori, and believe to be where all soul go to leave the island.

 Before reaching the lighthouse, the road wind and gradually get straigther and on the last couple of kms, one can see both shores  round steep-sided shores.

I know it sounds a little far-fetched, but you can actually see the Pacific meet the Tasman Sea.

Special place.

 Slightly to the South the eastern/north coast shelter Spirits' Bay, where we pitched our tent in the very last rays of sun. The camp extends about to where the car is located. The hill on the left is inhabited by wild horses and not open to the public. It is a sacred Maori site.

Team South :-).