Trip to the North

So this weekend Leo and I headed up to Northland for some sight seeing and to tick some more places of the list of visits. We headed up to Northland early on Saturday. We made a quick stop for brekkie at a cafe and then made our way to Paihia. We then were going to make our way up to Kerikeri.

Lets start with Paihia, we stopped there for some sight seeing and lunch. We first had to build an appettite up. Paihia is a place of friendly locals, over 250 business locations comprising of cafes, resturants, arts and crafts, many tourism operations and numerous accomadation choice. The first place we walked past was

...we didnt stop to eat here because we had not built up enough of an appettite yet. But found it interesting that all the way in NZ they spelt Vinnie the same way that my dad does. After that photo we kept walking along, we travelled in and out of shops and information centers gathering what we could. We were tempted to pay 12 bucks and visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of the Nation. However we decided against that then we weighed other options, cruise out onto the sparkling blue water of the Bay of Islands (too cold), swim with the dolphins (not the right season) or try fishing on the bay (not my cup of tea). We then walked the streets some more and decided to see what else there was to do. A flight out over the Islands or to Cape Reigna provides a breathtaking view of a scenic wonderland, but that was way too expensive. After seeing all to be seen in the town and finding all this information out on things that we could be doing if it wasnt cold, was the right season, was my cup of tea and not too expensive we decided to head for some lunch at a Cafe along the water front.

From our lunch we watched the action that was on the water. Ferry's going back and forth between islands, boats cruising, people walking and fishing on the beach. It was all lovely but too cold for my liking. We then decided that we would try something that was more inland and away from the wind and cold of the waterfront. There are several hikes in the area that lead to waterfalls and other cool natural wonders. However we were pressed for time so we skipped the hiking part and did the lazy thing and drove around. We still had a hike but insted of an hour hike each way it was more like a 10 minute hike round trip. Our first falls stop was Haruru Falls along the Waitangi River.

This is a picture of me at the falls. After we took some photos and video, we then got in the car and made our way to Kerikeri a town that was a few more minutes up the road. Once we got to Kerikeri we drove straight to some tourist attractions Leo knew of First stop Stonehouse Shop(5 bucks to go in and look around) We looked from the outside, we then did a quick little hike to the top of a hill that gave an aerial view of the river that the Stonehouse sat near. After that we headed into town to see what was happening.

Thats where our issues started to accur. There was nothing going on, it was two in the afternoon and absolutely nothing was happening. All major shops closed at two and everything else that was open was either a dinky cafe or the supermarket. We quickly decided to go and check in at the Orchard Motel just outside of main street Kerikeri and there we would map out what we were going to do that evening for dinner and then the next mourning when we woke up.

Kerikeri is one of the fastest growing urban centers in NZ. The area overflows with orchards and galleries, and the main road into Kerikeri is an art and craft trail bodered with cafes, confectionary manufacturers and wineries. We decided that for dinner we would go to the local resturant Red Stone and then in the mourning we would head to the farmers market in town, and then off to a hike to Rainbow Falls. After that was settled we headed out for our runs. The run took us along the river front past the Rainbow falls and other minor falls, past the power station and through the trails from one end of town to the other.

For dinner we went to the Red Stone, which is a resturant where many meals are brought out raw and you are given a stone that is heated to 400 degrees and you cook it to your liking. Leo go the seafood kebabs and that was served on the stone with a side of veggies and sauces. I went for the conventional method and got them to cook my food. I ordered a beef and mushroom fettucini which was very oily but still very good. At dinner we mapped out our travel plans for the afternoon. Where we were going to stop and what we were going to do.

In the mourning we got up and went down to the farmers market. The market was a combination of farmers and craftsmen. With it divided that way. On one side of the road was all the produce and food products and on the other side was the hand made crafts. There was so much to look through and everything looked so good, but nothing jumped out at me and said "Buy Me!" We then headed down to Rainbow Falls, Fairy pools, Water Powerstation and Wharepuke Falls. All very breath taking but the Rainbow falls was simply amazing. See Image below. After we finished our hike the weather was starting to turn and so we headed for the car and started our ride back home. We had decided that we were going to stop in Kawakawa a small town (population 1300) were there was two very unique things to take part in. The first was an old fashioned steam engine and the other was the Hundertwasser's Toilets.

The Bay of Island Vintage Railway was the first stop and it took us for a short thirty minute ride through Kawakawa and out into the farm lands and back. It was real steam and coal and all. This train is set up so that it can raise a awareness and get the Northland Railway going again. For now it only has permission to travel the short distance on the railway by the local government but it is fighting for trip that will span the whole region. The short train was real cool and I thought that my Grandpa Lou would really like it. So I have a lot of video and pictures from the thirty minutes that I will add later in the week. For now here is a picture of the steam engine called Gabriel.

After the ride on the steam engine we headed over to the Hundertwasser's Toilets. Friedich Hundertwasser was born in Austria in 1928 and he first came to NZ in the early 1970's. In 1975 he purchased a farm near Kawakawa, he became a NZ citizen in 1986 and in 1990 was declared a Living Treasure of NZ. He was internationally regarded as a great architect and ecologist and was commissioned in 1997 to design and build the public toilets on the town's main street.

The Kawakawa toilet block with its ceramic columns, garden roof and curiving coloful exuberance has put this town of Kawakawa on the international tourist route and traveleres from around the world pay homage to the man and his unique, architectural charm.

This is just one of many pictures from the toilets, but you can see the unique tile work and all. He was a man that did not belive in symmetry and being limited to the square of building. The floor, walls and ceiling were not level or right. However you look at it though this building is truely a great work of art. More photos to come in the video.

After the pit stop we then travelled back home to take care of our runs and get ready for work the next day. All in all we jam packed the two days with as much sight seeing as humanly possible. It was a great trip and I am looking forward to heading back up that way in November for my next Half Marathon. Also this coming week we are heading for a sight seeing/racing trip south to Hamilton. That should be another cool adventure. So keep a look out for a video from the Norhland trip and I will catch you all later.