Passing a tourist trap

On the way South we encountered scenes we had blocked from our minds and avoided so far: loads of tourists frequenting a row of shops perfectly set up to strip them of their money. Such streets seem like a big credit card swipe. We had reached Kerikeri and Paihia, the main attractions and launch-harbours for all tour excursion activities in the BAY OF ISLANDS. A quick ice cream and a few postcards is all we could bear, so we quickly got on the ferry to Russell:

checking for dolphins / seals / fish / seaweed

Russell turned out to be a little island of tranquility, and we enjoyed the peace and quiet there. Cute little shops and cafes, directly on the small pebble beach and pier for the passenger ferries.

evening tranquility

very tasty scallops, not cheap, but a gift for our taste sensations

Breakfast the next morning, much cheaper, just as fresh

We headed East and were quickly in the remoteness we have become so used to. Nature unfolds left and right, and every bend in the windy road offers a new perspective. The Pigs Head dirt road seem to never end, it appeared as if we are driving to the end of the world, but eventually it spat us out at Sandy Bay, a beautiful empty beach that invited us for a surf:

Sandy Bay north of Whangarei

Robinson and Sienna playing in the waves...

coming in from another surf session

Categories: New Zealand