The best way to appreciate the Bay of Islands is to take a cruise out from Pahia. So we are boarding on a cruise to the 'hole in the Rock' with King's Tours and Cruises. http://www.kings-tours.co.nz

The Bay of Islands is one of NZ's top destination. There are a dozens of coves, many beaches and 150 islands.

The captain and me!

This is an islet visible from Pahia. According to the map, it's Taylor Island. On the right is Motuarahi Island.

We pass Roberton Island with its many small rocks between the 2 part of the island. In the sun, the scenary is beautiful!

On the right you can see the Deep Water Cove costal area just west of Urupukapuka Island.

At Deep Water Cove, we encoutered a group of bottlenose dolphins. At least 10 of them swam with the boat for hald an hour, riding the pressure wave of the vessel and jumping high in the sky in front of our marveled eyes!

Today, due to one of the female just having a new baby dolphin, we are not allowed to snorkel whith them.

Those Iridescent skies and those cliffs of Cap Brett are most inspiring.

This is the old lighthouse. According to our captain, the small house is the cheapest accomodation in New Zealand: only 12$/month! No running water or electricity thought ;-)

The 'Hole in the Rock' or Piercy Island is located a few hundred meters from Cape Brett. It's a naturally carved hole through which vessels like ours can pass straight through! That's the highlight of the trip.

Can you spot this small hole on the of the 'Hole in the Rock' island? Made by the wind for sure!

On the right: a gull is getting some reston the King's vessel.

Matai Beach is on the Kari Kari Peninsula. It's an awesome spot and we got it to ourselves only (also it was the winter).

Don't hesitate to go for a swim in these peaceful waters.

It's a bit remote as you can see you have to drive on a backroad to get there. The locals could have a little more fundings.

The next remaining 5 days. We are going to visit the most beautiful remaining places of the North Island: the Coromandel Peninsula and Northland.

Coromandel Peninsula

First stop was at Whangamata.

We then drove to nearby Hot Water Beach. There is a spot near the sea where you can dig a hole and bath in hot water as the underground sand is very hot! That was a lot of fun and I didn't have to dig my own hole as I was invited in one :-) The best time to be there is at low tide.wh

Next stop is at the northern end of Hahei where the Cathedral Cove's treck begins. This impressive natural formation is a must do in New Zealand. Try to get there at Christmas as the surrounding trees are said to be full of blossoming red flowers.

After a few minutes walk, we arrive at Gemstone Beach. The stones are full of red dots like gemstones, nice!

Then on the way I spot a red head parrot and climb in a tree.

We then arrive at the beach right next to the Cathedral Cove and spend a good time there walking around and taking great pictures.

I loved those artistically shaped rocks!

Is it a snake? ....  Nope, it's a trunk ;-)

Kawakawa

We then drive to Kawakawa at the Bay of Islands, famous thanks to its designer toilet by the internationally renown artist and architect Frederick Hundertwasser.

Then at Kerikeri we view the Stone Store and Mission House, examples of early New Zealand architecture.

Maori call the top of the North Island 'Te Hiku o te Ika a Maui' - the tail of the fish of Maui. Geographically speaking, Cape Reinga isn't the north of New Zealand but there is a good road (though it's unsealed for about the last 20 kilometres) going there and it's very popular and beautiful.

As we travel further north, the landscape gradually changes. Here, the land changes from green pastures to a more barren one with its own rugged beauty. It really feels like the end of the world.

19,271 kilometres to London! The dividing line between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean is clearly visible:

Stunning white sand at a nearby bay.

We then drive back 30 minutes to the beautiful Spirits Bay.

The water is very nice and warm. Time for a swim and bodysurf :-)

We then drive to the nearby harbour. Many Maoris seems to be living there. The white line in the background is white sand used for making glass.

Driving on the gravel road where there are almost no other is fun because you can take full advantage of the road to make your way through the zig-zags. Sometime it's a bit sliding too!

Ninety Mile Beach

This beach is a very long beach: according to one local, its lenght is 90 km and not 90 miles. He said it's possible to drive there even without a 4wd so I am going to try!

The sand is very hard and the beach is very wide so it's quite easy and fun too! I advise you to put the second gear as the Drive gear of the automatic car seems to slow down at some parts of the beach. The idea of getting stucked on the middle of the beach wiyth noone around is a bit scary!

5.30pm... time for a very beautiful sunset on 90 Mile Beach.

Kauri Forest

After a night in the beautiful tree house hostel, we took the ferry to cross a sound .

We then went through the Maipouia Forest, one of the best example of Kauri forest. It is famous for having the two largest living kauris: Tane Mahuta (Lord of the forest) and Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the forest).

Tane Mahuta is the largest living kauri in New Zealand. Girth 13.77 m (45 '), trunk height 17.68 m (58'), total height 51.5 m (169').

Te Matua Ngahere is the second overall largest living kauri. Largest in girth (16.41 m/53.8 '). Trunk height 10.21 m (33.5'), total height 29.9 m (98').

This is a mosaic attempt to fit a Kauri Tree on one picture!

I even got under one dead Kauri tree. It's like in a cave here.

The Four Sisters are four tall kauris growing extremely close to each other.

Auckland

In the evening we arrive in Auckland and I took this picture from the Harbour Bridge:

This one is from Albert Park close to the University.

And finally leaving New Zealand, this is an aerial picture of Auckland.

New Zealand is a small country but it has a very diverse landscape and friendly people: I will be back!