Pahia

19 - 23 March 2023

We arrived in Pahia, in the Bay of Islands, on Julie’s Birthday. To celebrate we had dinner at Charlotte’s kitchen, the food and drinks were yummy and our table overlooked the bay.

Charlotte’s Kitchen, inspired by Charlotte Badger

Hole in the Rock, but could you put a boat through it?

On Monday, we took a boat ride in the Bay of Islands to see the Hole in the Rock tour (on Motukokako Island). There are roughly 144 different islands in the bay. According to the captain, an island is at least 2 feet above water and has permanent vegetation, otherwise it is just a rock. We also stopped at Urupukapuka Island and walked up to lookout with spectacular views. On the way back we chased a pod (8 or so) of Bottlenosed dolphins.

Click the video below to see if the boat will fit.

Urupukapuka Island

A pod of 8 or so dolphins followed us for a bit on our way back to Russell. They seemed to hang out by the boat, showing off for the tourists.

One dolphin played just in front of the boat.

Another dolphin showed off its fishing prowess.

On Tuesday, we took the ferry across the bay to the town of Russell.

Scuptures in Pahia, including a very artsy toilet.

That night we had dinner at Zane Grey’s, another restaurant overlooking the bay. Zane Gray’s spent a year fishing in the Bay of Islands which inspired his novel, Tales of the Angler’s Eldorado, New Zealand. We were treated to a rainbow over the bay while we at another great dinner.

We got up bright and early Wednesday morning to catch a bus to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse and 90 mile beach. Cape Reinga is a pretty amazing place. It is at the very top of mainland New Zealand. The Pacific ocean and Tasman sea converge there and it is home to the Te Aroha sacred to the Maori people.

Additionally, Cape Reinga is home to the Te Aroha (spirit tree). No matter where they die, a Maori person’s spirit travels up the coast of New Zealand to the Te Aroha and travels down it’s roots to the spirit world.