The Maori belief that Cape Reinga is the departing place of the spirits of the recently deceased.
And this holy area is also the dramatic meeting place of the Tasman & Pacific Oceans. The blue & turquoise water is getting mixed, in a dramatic showdown!
The white lighthouse and the destination board are amongst the most photographed touristic signs in New Zealand. We couldn’t resist 😅
Endless & lonely sand beaches, almost no inhabitants and in parts just 7 km wide. That’s what the landscape looks like at the far north cape – Aupōuri Peninsula.
For the trip to the last corner of New Zealand we chose to hop on an organized day trip, and it was worth it!
The ‘Cape Runner’ brought us to our first coffee stop in a nice little inlet and afterwards to Tapotupotu Bay, a wonderful sandy beach.
James Cook visited the bay in 1769 and gave it its name – The Bay of Islands. More than 140 small island and inlets can be found here at the east coast (Pacific Ocean).
But more important from a historic point of view it is the place where the Treaty of Waitangi has been signed. The first contract between the Maori and British government and the founding document of New Zealand.
For a short time the small wale fishing port Russell was also capital of the country!
A short walk up to the Flagstaff hill provided us an excellent view over Russel and the stunning nature!
In Whakarewarewa, eine auf Termalgebiet gelegene Maoriansammlung am Rande von Rotorua haben wir uns das Leben mit den heißen Quellen, der ‚offenen‘ und immer verfügbaren Dampfgarküche zeigen lassen. Natürlich durften auch ein Part mit traditionellen Tänzen und ein Hangi (Maoriessen) nicht fehlen.
3happinesshunters 