Day 52-53

After a interesting night out on the town in Auckland, I headed up to a beach town to the north east. On Thursday afternoon I left Gregor's and headed up north to Ruakaka, on my way up I drove through country roads some were not even paved and went through cow pastures.On Friday I had a late start but got a lot in. I headed to the West Coast from Baylys beach which had no development at all on it. After that I continued north to Kai iwi Lakes which were stunning with warm crystal clear waters. From there I headed to another stunning beach and then headed to the Waipoua forest and saw Te Matua Ngahere the 'Father of the Forest' that has a trunk with a diameter of 17 feet. I finished off my trip at Omapere which is the southern point of a massive bay where on the other side was a massive sand dune. The total trip was about 250 miles but it was an amazing day and I saw so much!

The view as I headed to Ruakaka

The view of the unpaved road through the pastures as I headed to Baylys beach

More countrysided (aka The Shire, I think I even saw a hobbit

I hit a bird....

Baylys beach

Kai Iwi lake

another untouched west coast NZ beach

The waves were pumping but no one was surfing...I assumed this was for a reason so I regretfully did the same.

The Te Matua Ngahere tree believed to be the son of the water and air gods.

Omapere at sunset with the sand dune across the bay.

From Omapere there is a massive bay covering miles of water.