Inhibitions?? What inhibitions.

Thursday 5th, 21.30 NZ time

Wow, this little van is comfortable. Didn't wake until nearly 8 am and it was only the sun streaming in through the cracks in the curtains that made us stir. So we didn't really get going until 9.30ish but with the Whangarei falls literally a stone's throw from the site, it only took a moment to get there.

Do you like Ian's T-Shirt?

Beyond the falls a walk to see the Te Kauri tree along the Waikuku stream had been recommended to us. Not quite as old as one that is on the west coast estimated to be over 1,250 years this 500-year-old was still very impressive.

On the 1.5km walk

Not a snake but not sure what it is supposed to be.

Could almost be an English meadow.

Then onwards to The Bay of Islands only stopping to admire the views along the way. Tom and Jan from nb Waiouru suggested we go via the east coast and so glad we did.

Ngunguru

Views looking over to Tutukaka

Just before the Bay of Islands, we came across the Kawiti Glow-worm Caves. Decided it was a must-see excursion and at $20, not a bad price. For that, we got to go deep into the caves and with all lights extinguished the show was spectacular. Thousands of tiny pinpricks of lights and after one's eyes had adjusted, enough light was generated to see the dim shapes of the stalactites and mites. No photography allowed for obvious reasons but imagine looking up at a starry sky without light pollution and that was what we saw.

Finally made it to the Bay of Islands. One more falls to see Haruru falls before finding a site for the night. The one we found was for self-contained vans only. In other words, a loo was a must. This van has a porta potty stowed under the seat. For it to be used it needs to be at the bottom of the bed to use so it's a good job we have no secrets and no embarrassment!!!

Haruru falls

And the wildlife

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This I know is a huge pigeon

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