Cape Reinga

This evening I am connected to the internet using wireless. I have also learned how to transfer my blog from Word into Blogspot. Success! Our toilet/shower cabinet does not smell anymore, neither does the toilet cassette. Success there too! We have also discovered a light in the cabinet, which helps considerably for those nightly visits.

This morning we set out for Cape Reinga on very windy roads which became steeper as we neared the Cape. A truely beautiful spot and steeped in Maori tradition and culture. The carpark, toilets and paths are all new and haunting music greets you as you walk through the entrance. The place is called Te Rerengawairua (wairua means spirits) and it is the point from which Kupe’s people would return to their distant homeland (Hawaiki) after death. The spirit leaves NZ via the Pohutakawa tree which juts out from the side of a peninsula. The whole area below the carpark is very sacred and you are not allowed to eat or drink there.

Of course there is a European angle to the place as it is also called Cape Maria van Dieman. Abel Tasman named it after the Dutch East Indies Governor’s wife in 1643. There is also a lighthouse which was installed in 1940. You can see the swirls in the sea where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.

On the way back we called into Gumdiggers Park. The Kaura forests here were buried a few times during the last millions of years (due to a tsumani or volcanic eruption) and during the 1800’s the hidden forests were dug up because they contained fossalised Kaura Copal (NZ Amber). The gum was used to make varnish and lino. The park shows the holes that were dug and the shelters that the men built. As the ground was so swampy the men had to wear rubber boots which were named ‘gum boots’ instead of Wellingtons. A fascinating place to visit – we spent about 2 hours there.

We then went to a place called The Ancient Kaura Kingdom which is a huge shop which specialises in making items from old Kaura wood. We bought hokey-pokey ice cream (honey comb) and had a look at the stair case which is built from one huge Kaura tree.

From there we had a quick look at the 90 mile beach, where I nearly got ran over by a ute. The beach looked just like Oreti Beach or beaches in South Australia. Still at least I can say I have stood on the 90 mile beach.

This evening we went to the ‘World Famous Fish and Chip Shop’ in Mangonui Harbour. Apparently this shop has the best fish and chips in NZ and from the crowds eating there the shop is certainly very popular here. We gave them 10 out of 10 but then we have only experienced pretty awful fish and chips in the UK (apologies to British Citizens).

So another day ends – the toilet and shower block here has a concrete floor too.