Whitianga and Cathedral Cove in New Zealand

It has been almost 5 months since we came back from our trip to New Zealand. The photos from the last four days of the two week Australia/New Zealand trip were lost in some Hard Drive rearrangement. Finally found them yesterday.

A good five hours went by editing the ~1500 photos found!

You have seen the photos from our day trips to Rotorua and Tongariro National park. After this we did a day trip to Whitianga in the North east tip of the North island. It was a scenic drive through mountains and rolling hills to reach the pier front. 

 

We had a lot of fun watching kids being taught how to fish in the pier. They have a grandpa society of sorts that teaches very young kids how to fish and prepare the fish etc. The kids did not like it, but it was a wonderful "intro to the reality of non vegetarian cooking" in a live setting!

Then it was our turn to board the "Ocean Leopard" tour speedboat. It was an amazing exprience. In 60-90 minutes depending on the weather, they take you to all the different rock formations and beaches in the area. You are not allowed to get off the boat and on to the beaches. If you do like any beach, you can always drive and visit them for a fee! 

The tourguide was amazing and patient with our group. He took our requests to steady the boat at places or turn it around for pictures etc. We passed a group of nesting cormorants on the shores. It was our first time seeing nesting cormorants!  

 

The beaches are beautiful, not to mention the women in those beaches! Everyone we met looked like a beauty queen pageant. Sorry.. no pictures! 

On the way back from the boat ride we stopped by to grab something to eat. Given all the restaurants in Whitianga are in one straight road, everyone went their separate ways. I wanted to grab a Chai at the local Indian place called Sangam and the rest of the family went to grab Pizza. Both the Chai and the pizza turned out to be excellent. 

The Sangam restaurant had something we have not seen anywhere else. A bunch of porcelain dolls of guys doing Bhangra! Was reminded of my nephews who have both taken to this style of dancing. A desi restaurant at the north east tip of New Zealand! Who knew!

Then we went to the Hot sands beach. A place where the ocean water is cold, but if you dig a hole in the sand a 100 feet from the waters edge, the water is hot because of volcanic activity underground. The problem with this beach is that if you dont get out in time, the high tide makes it impossible to cross back to the parking lot!

 

We have taken a lot of group pictures of the family at nature parks and beaches. An old granny took this shot with shaky fingers. She had actually pressed the shutter 30 times in the few seconds we gave her the camera without realizing it! This is by far the best background.. and I did not even edit the photo to adjust anything! Seriously, New Zealand has every other place beat by a wide margin when it comes to providing scenic backdrops. 

The entire group desperately clamoured back towards the parking lot and my sister-in-law cut her feet on the rocks and had to be carried to the parking lot by her hubby. The kids found this whole thing amusing. 

We were driving back and saw some amazing sunset views as we turned towards Auckland. 

More pictures from Waitomo, Auckland and Maori Rock face soon..

If you do visit the North island of New Zealand, do not miss the Ocean Leopard tours at Whitianga!