We stopped in Auckland on our way north to have a brief rendezvous with a YGL family that was also visiting New Zealand. Turns out Geoff left a bag of vitamins at the temple housing, so after a brief visit with the YGL family, Geoff drove two hours back to the temple, and the two hours back to Auckland. We explored this beautiful city while he was running his unpleasant errand. It was a good thing, we needed a few supplemental warm pieces of clothing to make it through the cooler fall temps in Northland and Southland! We shopped and ate and fell in love with this Seattle-like city surrounded by water. But we gave up an afternoon exploring Matapouri Bay, which included a beautiful, coastal hike and "mermaid pools". We were so disappointed.
We pulled into our little, rented apartment (Matapouri Holiday Units) after dark. Before heading out the next morning, Geoff and I explored the small bay and found it to be quiet, peaceful and incredibly beautiful. Oh well. Next time!
Out of Matapouri is a cruise to snorkel around Poor Knights Islands. We went with an outfit called Perfect Day Ocean Cruise, which was a good choice! The crew was so fun and entertaining and chill! The forecast was cloudy and rainy, not idea for a day of snorkeling, but we didn't get the rain!
Given I'm a fair weather, new snorkeler, I wasn't very excited about getting in the cold water, but Jacques Cousteau named this one of the top 5 scuba/snorkel spots in the world. I had to do it. The crew found the warmest wetsuit they had, and I decided to use a face mask, mouth piece and flippers. Gangbusters.
I must admit that I had a near panic attack during the first five minutes. I felt claustrophobic breathing out of my mouth. And the water was cold! Eventually we were all shivering! But for about 45 minutes we snorkeled around seeing the most magnificently bright and colorful coral along rock walls, a huge variety of fish, sea plants and other underwater creatures! At one place there were thousands of florescent, blue fish swimming around us! The image of the zen-like movements of the large sea kelp a the bottom has stayed with me and become my symbol of how I want to live my life. It really was one of the most amazing experiences of our trip. Apparently, cloudy weather brings out more sea life, as many kinds of fish hide from the sunny waters to be safe. We really did have a "perfect day".
Ceci and Geoff headed out in one of the boat's kayaks.
After a simple lunch on board, we cruised around the islands, all of which are beautifully green and lush, with dozens are large archways.
We went into the largest sea cave in the world. Again, the acoustics were incredible! The walls of the cave were shades of purple, pink, green, browns, creams and grays. Nature + time can create some spectacular scenery!
On the way to the Poor Man's Islands we were on the lookout for dolphins. I actually spotted them in the distance and the captain steered us close. This pod of a dozen or so common dolphins swam around the boat, playing in the water as all of us cheered and clapped, a suggestion of the captain to get them to do some tricks. They swam with us for awhile before swimming off.
On the way back to the mainland at the end of the day, Ceci spotted a pod a long ways off. Again the captain steered us close and let go of our return time. This time there were twice as many dolphins! They wove around and under the boat, occasionally turning sideways to look up at their admirers. It was clear they were aware of us and delighted in being with us. We could here the squeaks as they communicated to each other. They were more playful, coming out of the water and doing small jumps. These beautiful, wild animals were maybe five feet from us. It was absolutely magical in every way.
What a full and exciting day! We went out to eat and then played around on another one of New Zealand's perfect climbing trees.
Seriously, isn't that incredible?! I haven't been on a tire swing in years. There it was, inviting anyone to play.
Matapouri Bay and Poor Knights Islands. A must-see/do in Northland.
We pulled into our little, rented apartment (Matapouri Holiday Units) after dark. Before heading out the next morning, Geoff and I explored the small bay and found it to be quiet, peaceful and incredibly beautiful. Oh well. Next time!
Out of Matapouri is a cruise to snorkel around Poor Knights Islands. We went with an outfit called Perfect Day Ocean Cruise, which was a good choice! The crew was so fun and entertaining and chill! The forecast was cloudy and rainy, not idea for a day of snorkeling, but we didn't get the rain!
Given I'm a fair weather, new snorkeler, I wasn't very excited about getting in the cold water, but Jacques Cousteau named this one of the top 5 scuba/snorkel spots in the world. I had to do it. The crew found the warmest wetsuit they had, and I decided to use a face mask, mouth piece and flippers. Gangbusters.
I must admit that I had a near panic attack during the first five minutes. I felt claustrophobic breathing out of my mouth. And the water was cold! Eventually we were all shivering! But for about 45 minutes we snorkeled around seeing the most magnificently bright and colorful coral along rock walls, a huge variety of fish, sea plants and other underwater creatures! At one place there were thousands of florescent, blue fish swimming around us! The image of the zen-like movements of the large sea kelp a the bottom has stayed with me and become my symbol of how I want to live my life. It really was one of the most amazing experiences of our trip. Apparently, cloudy weather brings out more sea life, as many kinds of fish hide from the sunny waters to be safe. We really did have a "perfect day".
Ceci and Geoff headed out in one of the boat's kayaks.
After a simple lunch on board, we cruised around the islands, all of which are beautifully green and lush, with dozens are large archways.
We went into the largest sea cave in the world. Again, the acoustics were incredible! The walls of the cave were shades of purple, pink, green, browns, creams and grays. Nature + time can create some spectacular scenery!
On the way to the Poor Man's Islands we were on the lookout for dolphins. I actually spotted them in the distance and the captain steered us close. This pod of a dozen or so common dolphins swam around the boat, playing in the water as all of us cheered and clapped, a suggestion of the captain to get them to do some tricks. They swam with us for awhile before swimming off.
On the way back to the mainland at the end of the day, Ceci spotted a pod a long ways off. Again the captain steered us close and let go of our return time. This time there were twice as many dolphins! They wove around and under the boat, occasionally turning sideways to look up at their admirers. It was clear they were aware of us and delighted in being with us. We could here the squeaks as they communicated to each other. They were more playful, coming out of the water and doing small jumps. These beautiful, wild animals were maybe five feet from us. It was absolutely magical in every way.
What a full and exciting day! We went out to eat and then played around on another one of New Zealand's perfect climbing trees.
Seriously, isn't that incredible?! I haven't been on a tire swing in years. There it was, inviting anyone to play.
Matapouri Bay and Poor Knights Islands. A must-see/do in Northland.
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