Tuesday and that means 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga

Wow, seems like we’ve done a weeks worth of stuff already an we’re not halfway through! Tuesday is a trip to 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga. The bus picked us up at 7:30 a.m. and we headed up north to the northern-most tip of New Zealand. We had to leave so early because it was critical that we got to the beach at low tide. After about an hour and a half of driving, we finally got to the beach. For those of you in Texas, you will be familiar with this –  we went onto the beach and drove for 65K - on the beach. Our guide said that there were wild horses that lived in the forest on the edge of the beach. Unfortunately, they did not come out while we were there.

 Tasman Sea

Interesting island in the Tasman Sea

 This is the Dune Rider that we rode along with 40 other of our closet friends! Our guide was Paul and he was a veritable wealth of information about local stuff and NZ in general.

After 65K, we reached the giant sand dunes. When I say giant, I mean 60 meters and higher. The dune we rode was 75 meters at the top. When I say rode, I really mean sand boarded. Yes we rode body boards down the dunes. We had to ride barefooted because our feet were the brakes. Needless to say, the climb up was a killer but the ride down was amazing!!!!!

That's me coming down the dune

Here's Ernie trying to get to a point to board down the dune

Great photo of Ernie catching some speed down the dune

 This is Thomas and his brakes must have failed because he hit the water and got all wet!

After riding the dunes, it was dust off the sand and back on the bus for Cape Reinga. The cape is the northern-most point of NZ.

Tbis is Cape Reinga - the northern-most point of New Zealand

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

Roadsign at the lighthouse - shows LA is only 10479K away!

We got back to the condo around 7:30 after stopping in Monganui for fish and chips and beer. Boy, do these folks know how to make fish and chips. Mmmmmm!

OK folks, I've had enough internet and blogging fun and am going to bed. I'll post the rest of the weeks fun tomorrow or on Tuesday, depending on weather and activities. Have a good night!!!!