New Zealand North Island 1 (Auckland, Tane Mahuta)

Map of New Zealand

Map of New Zealand (North Island) showing the route we took from 20 March - 31 Marck 2009.

19 March 2009, at KLIA having dinner before boarding MH131 to Auckland, with niece Umi Kalthom (Chom) and Indra.

20 March 2009, Chom and Indra at Auckland airport.

Decision to travel to NZ North Island was made last year with my niece, Chom, Budin and Zizah. Unfortunately Budin and Zizah were not able to join us and so Indra came along. With MSL Travel ground arrangement, we took off to Auckland on 19 March 2009 with MAS flight MH131. In 2004, Ika and I traveled to NZ South Island and I had enjoyed the trip so much which made me decide to see what's in store in the north island. NZ is such a squeeky clean country and wish Malaysia could be at least half of it if not totally clean. The custom is very strict about bringing food, fruits, plants etc. So, to be safe don't bring anything or declare if you do. The penalty is on the spot NZ$200 or maybe a jail sentence. They are doing the right thing to protect their country's industry.

I have read about the Ninety Mile Beach and the Cape Reinga at the tip of north island. These places are the actual attractions to me which motivate me to make the trip a reality. I heard a number of demotivating comments about going to these places such as rough ride, not so safe, not much to see etc. etc. Funny, it came from people who had never been there. I didn't bother much anyway. I decided if my travel companions didn't want to go there, I'll go alone.

Driving in NZ is easy but I promised myself that I will never 'kutuk' Malaysian signages when I drive around Malaysia again. I find the signages in NZ were just as confusing as in Malaysia. We got lost many times even though we followed the signages faithfully. Questions like at the junction where do we turn - left or right? Indra was a good navigator and we stopped many times at petrol stations asking for direction. Most petrol stations there especially in the big towns are manned by foreigners - mostly Indians.

20 March 2009, we arrived in Auckland and met 2 Malay senior citizens couples who were taking a trip around NZ too on their own. MSL has arrangened for us to get the car rental from Thrifty Car Rental, a Holden Commodore EET 147. With the help of a map we found our way to our hotel, The Oakwood Manor Motor Inn at Mangere, Auckland. After settling down we decided to go to the city by bus and paid NZ$11 for a return trip. This saved us the trouble to find our way and looking for parking in the city.

At Oakwood Manor Motor Inn in Mangere near Auckland airport.

The Red Festival at Auckland city.

A theatre bulding at the Red Square Festival, Auckland

As like any other cities, there are bulidings and more buildings. We came across the Red Square Festivals at the Civic centre and at the theaters and spent some time there looking around.

With Chom at the Civic Centre, Auckland.

21 March 2009, We left Oakwood Manor at 8.00 am to go north to Paihia and lost our way to find the highway north. The signboard was not helpful. I drove and on the way to Dargaville, we stopped at a quint historical village, Puhoi. It was a pleasue to see a very pretty, clean village with green surrounding and friendly people. An experience all of us had was the serving for scones at a Puhoi Cafe which belongs to Dave, the oldest cafe established in 1907. The scones were so big that one scone was enough for the three of us and we ordered 3! At Mustardmakers, we met the friendly owner, Morag and bought a few bottles of homemade barbeque sauce. I am sure Ika and Maz will like them.

Morag, the owner of Mustardmakers in Puhoi Historical Village, NZ

Faithfully logging in my travel journal at Puhoi Cottage Cafe which served huge papa scones.

Dave, the owner of Puhoi Cottage Cafe established since 1907, taking orders from Chom.

The highway to north with strange bridge across.

The picturesque NZ landscapes is so refreshing - green and fresh. We stopped at Matakohe to visit the Kauri Muzeum where for the first time I learned about Kauri tree - NZ iron wood. The drive north took us to lonely winding road at the Waipoua Forest. To go through this route you got to make sure your petrol tank is full. We made this mistake thinking there would be petrol stations everywhere. Lucky, our petrol was enough to get us through the forest road. The 1,400 year-oldTane Mahuta kauri tree was really amazing, to see such a huge tree still standing till today.

Self-explanatory Tane Mahuta kauri tree.

The huge amazing Tane Mahuta.

NZ landscape is dotted with fascinating pampas grass (bunga lalang) which turned colour from white to purpilish to pink.

At Dargaville.

Taharoa lake.

From Dargaville, we drove to Paihia, the Bay of Islands which shelters 144 islands. Paihia is a town in NZ that should be visited. It's so beautiful, cozy and the seaside is lined with resorts. There are a number of activities that one can do there including the sea cruises to Hole in the rock, swim with dolphins, fishing etc. We checked in Averill Court Motel. We have made arrangement to go by coach to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga the next day.

Paihia Wharf.

At Paihia Wharf.











Paihia wharf at dusk.

Tomorrow is the most exciting day - a visit to Cape Reinga and travel on the 90 Mile Beach.