Top 10 New Zealand North Island’s unforgettable sights
Blog: A Travel Around the World - 25 August 2009
By: Marta
Although we didn’t manage to fit all things we want to see in the North Island of New Zealand, like for example the art deco city of Napier, the Waitomo cave or the Waikaremoana lake, after having drove bottom to top through this island over 3000km I think we got enough to put together our top 10, so here we go:
1. the bubbling and smelling evidence of the earth’s powerful forces in Rotorua, despite its distinct smell of farts..sorry I meant sulphur, and the “Sacred Water” of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (27k south – entrance $35) packed with interesting thermal features from the Champagne Pool to the mineral terraces despite we missed the foreseeable lady Knox Geyser which goes off like a Switzerland clock every day at 10.15 (with a little manmade trick using some soap, cheeky);
2. forget about New Chums beach (Whangapoua/Coromandel), rated by someone one of the top 20 beaches in the world, what??, and the much photographed Cathedral Cove instead lose yourself in the pristine and secluded Whale Bay, near Matapouri along the Tutukaka coast, and you will see why I felt like taking off all my clothes and jumped in the water, not quite, I tried but the water was too cold even for immerse one foot;
3. the thunderous Waikato River and its Huka falls another proof of the unstoppable power of the nature. Crossing the footbridge I could feel my feet shaking;4. Te Papa, this interactive museum that overflows with Maori treasures and enthrals the visitors with insights of this land’s history. If the history doesn’t shake you up try the Earthquake house and I loved also the natural exhibitions with all native species on displays and a colossal octopus which eyes were bigger than a football ball (plus it’s free);
5. relax our body and mind at the many thermal Spas around NZ. The Polynesian Spa, overlooking lake Rotorua ($20 each), is voted one of top 10 spa by Conde’ Nast but we preferred our private pool at Taupo De Bretts Pool (only $10 with access to all pools if you stay at their campground). However we were less thrilled when we overheard the “party” going on next door.. ouch;
6. climb the giant dunes at Te Paki stream at 90 Mile beach and “surf” our way down for what it was supposed to be a high-speed ride to the bottom. Didn’t quite work that way probably because instead of using the conventional hired body board (the shop was closed) we made our own one out of a kellogg’s box and a 1-dollar k-way jacket; that was part of a competition between Chris and I but none of us succeeded and we ended up cover all over of sand in and out our clothes, don’t’ ask me how;
7. dig frantically all over Hot Water beach for our own natural hot pool (we caught the well-being bug). Theoretically, you have to do it 2 hours before or after tide, exactly what we did other than the only thing that seeped up was in practice freezing water ..umm not sure what went wrong, maybe we should have asked for a little help to make this fascinating natural wonder works;
8. unwind in the Coromandel Peninsula missing out time and mileage following the coastal road to the deserted glittering beaches such as Hahei and the 8km stretch of Waihi beach and enjoying infinite picturesque views like the one over the Coromandel Harbour, Bowentown and Matakana island;9. go walkabout at Mt Maunganui, a popular kiwi holiday’ spot overlooked by the massive hill “The Mount”. There is a great walk up to the summit and to the rocks on the joined Moturiki island, both offering spectacular shots over the sandy Bay of Plenty, or stroll along the long golden Papamoa beach;
10. the loop to the sleepy Matauri bay, north of the Bay of Islands, with its beautiful white sand beach and crystal clear water even if the locals seem not really tourist-friendly.
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