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Off on a road trip with my kids to show them where I grew up. Kawakawa here we come.
Lunch stop in Taihape
I'm not mad with our dinner choice
Today we head to Paihia. Basing ourselves there for 3 nights while we visit Kawakawa, Waitangi, Kororareka, and Te Rerenga Wairua. I fear I have misjudged the availability of bus trips down 90 mile though. Seems pretty much closed for winter.
Mum scanned a bunch of photos from when we lived up there. I should recreate this one, 45 years later
Made it to Paihia and checked in to the YHA, where we are probably the oldest and youngest people staying
They've turned on the good weather for us
All is forgiven
Whare waka café in Waitangi for breakfast, then a look round the treaty grounds. – bei Waitangi Treaty Grounds
1975 vs 2020
Funny how all the memories come flooding back. The kapa started singing Ngā Puhi nui tonu and back flow all the faces who sung it in the past.
Now to Korerareka on the ferry
Bit better weather today
While here we remember the words of Tā James Henare. "Unity is not about being the same" and "You have come to far to not go further, you have done to much to not do more" I choose to believe this tells us to keep pushing for our unceded sovereignty to be recognised
Took the kids on the roller-coaster (the road between Kawakawa and Moerewa). And you know you're in northland when
And gotta take the kids to Haruru Falls of course.
And for dinner following @mahelona recommendation all you can eat buffet (including oysters) at King Wah in Paihia
Tomorrow the plan is to drive up to Te Rerenga Wairua. If I can move again by then. That dinner was soooo good!
Bay of Islands college where mum and dad taught. We lived on Derrick Rd, just down from here.
Right today, after I feed and water these rangatahi, we are driving up to Te Rerenga Wairua. Up through Mangonui back through Kaitaia. Then we can legitimately all say. Mai te upoko o te ika ki te hiku.
I like the fridge in this hostel
We made it, and so did a squall – bei Cape Reigna Lighthouse
Obligatory tourist photos – bei Cape Reigna Lighthouse
Traffic here is out of control
Dinner tonight is bluenose, line caught off Mangonui wharf.
Hehehehe
Dramatic recreation of me on the drive back to Paihia tonight
Ruapekapeka this morning, it felt way too tapu for photos so just some of the signs
In Tāmaki-makau-rau for the night, then Tokaanu tomorrow and home Friday. Where I hope to have a holiday to recover from this holiday.
Stopped at Pōkeno for ice cream, this is a "single scoop" they do 12 scoop ones too – bei Original Pokeno Ice Cream & Cafe
I'm sensing a theme
Yes, yes it does
On our way south
It's a pretty beautiful drive today
And home again. I'll stop boring you with the massive travel thread now.
