Cape-Reinga

3rd November 2009 Today we go even further north, up to Henderson Bay which was the nearest place we could get to Cape Reinga. We set off from our lovely hostel quite late, calling in to get food and petrol on the way out of town (we’re not sure where the nearest supermarket will be up north!). We made a short detour along Whangaroa harbour, calling in at Tauranga Bay for a spot of lunch. Unfortunately the weather is still a little changeable so we had a short shower while we were here, but were still able to enjoy the peachy pink sand. From the road, we enjoyed some lovely veiws over the Cavalli Islands scattered off shore. ...

4th November Awoken this morning by a fabulous sunrise across the ocean which we can see from our room, a perfect start to the day. Consequently we headed out early to Cape Reinga, the point where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, breaking together in waves. The area is considered extremely sacred by the Maoris and at the tip of the cape is a spiritually significant 800-year old pohutukawa tree - souls of the departed are believed to slide down its roots on their way back to their spiritual homeland of Hawaiki. As a result you are not allowed to eat or drink on the site out of respect. ...