Car hunting, then North bound!

For me big cities like Auckland are slightly unpleasant as it is, but throw car hunting in there and it turns a tad stressful. We had a top three on the list. With one being sold before we had a chance, one on the rising bid, the 1997 Ford Falcon station wagon seemed to be a match as my future car for the next 4 months. The deal was made and after a day to wash her up we were on the road together headed North. Seeking out every DOC (Department of Conservation) campsite, we worked our way up to Cape Rienga (New Zealand’s most Northern point) and back down again. With the rainy weather we had plenty of time to bond on the road. We explored Puketi Forest, Paihaia and the Bay of Islands, Doubtless Bay and many other beautiful bays and beaches including 90 Mile Beach, which is legendary for tourists getting stuck in the sand (it is ever so tempting to drive on even if you don’t have a vehicle that stands a chance..) This solo travel came to the perfect end in Keri Keri where I jumped out of a plane at 16,500ft overlooking all of the Bay of Islands – absolutely incredible.