Whitianga-Hahei

Thursday December 15th:

Today we reluctantly left Thames and the Grafton cottages.  We realize that you could spend weeks at each and everyone of these places!  Today we are heading to Hahei.  Despite the clouds and rain it was a spectacular drive.  We went up and down through mountains and we had to stop once due to motion sickness during some of the very twisty-turney stretches.  Brody likened it to a roller coaster ride.

We decided to drive to Whitianga first as it was pouring and went to Bay Crafts.  We were all able to do our own Maori bone carving.  It was a ton of fun and everyone did a spectacular job.  Each of the carvings has a special meaning and representation.  It took almost three hours but the time went quickly.  They give you a square piece of cow shin and then you slowly carve out the shape you want.  It involves a ton of sanding and polishing.  It was a special time and a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.  We then drove around the bay to Hahei and Hawley’s Bed and Breakfast.  We had two upstairs bedrooms and a bathroom.  We went to eat at the Grafton and had pumpkin pizza, a funky falafel thing, and of course, some fish and chips.

on the drive to Whitianga

Bone Carving shop, they use the shin bone of cows, and after proper preparation, they give you the little rectangle or square of bone.

Brody doing the initial rough carving.

Tara learning how to start the rough sanding process.

The kids move on to the fine sanding stage before polishing.

Friday December 16th:

Today we woke up to a beautiful sunrise!  There were beautiful white clouds all through the sky and you understand why the Maori named these lands, Aotearoa, the land of the long white clouds.  We walked along Hahei beach and then up a long tramp to Cathedral Cove.  It was stunning beyond description.  Cathedral Cove was where they filmed Prince Caspian.

We then went on a glass bottom boat ride for a couple of hours and saw Cathedral Cove from the water, the “blow hole,” Shakespeare’s Cliff, and lots of other amazing sights.  After our boat ride we played at a local park and at lunch at a cafe.  We then drove to Shakespeare’s Cliff and walked around it from the peak.  We then walked down to a secluded beach and that was literally carpeted with shells.  We had it to ourselves and it was lovely.  We then headed back to the B & B and cleaned off our treasures before getting take out for dinner.  The Hawley’s have a massive grape vine that is trellised up all around their house, including our balcony.  It was apparently planted in 1947 and is still going.

Tara at Hahei beach, its around 6:00am, she is smiling as this is the start of our 1.5 hour walk!  We started on the beach, then had to walk uP and then DOwn to get to Cathedral Cove.

We are up higher!

Tara needed a little break but only a couple of times during the several hours of hiking.

On the trail again/still!

Lots of green.

Cathedral Cove, we made it!!!!

Cathedral Cove

Narnia scene!

Cathedral Cove/Narnia

Boat tour!

The blow hole.

Sprayed by water!

Shakespeare cliff.  Do you see it?  I guess Captain Cook in the 1760's thought it looked like the bard's profile.  The top is his hat, then his nose is sticking out.

I am trying some video.  Not sure it will work!