Waipu Beach
The weather is nice and we decide to enjoy the sun by the sea in a campsite.
We stay there for two days.
Walk along the beach and update the site and videos.... We are trying to catch up.
Auckland
Today we get rid of the camper in mid-morning.
We are welcomed by a hostess who quickly checks the condition of the vehicle and records the kilometers traveled. Then she announces that we have to pay a tax on diesel of 0.08 NZ per kilometer.
Once our stupor is over, we refuse to pay and ask her to kindly look at our file with all the details of our "adventures"... Finally she gives up her idea of tax and gives us an email address for our claims.
We take an uber to reach our apartment in the city center in the principlae artery.
Often mistakenly perceived as the capital of New Zealand by tourists, Auckland, once the holder of this title, gave its crown to Wellington which is also on the northern island.
The first to settle were the Maoris around 1350. Then many settlers of various nationalities followed attracted by the many riches.
In 1840, when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, Auckland was named capital of New Zealand by European settlers.
This decision is challenged by all the other communities and the origin of the various conflicts that followed.
It was therefore in 1865 that the capital was moved to Wellington.
Day 1:
Once settled in our apartment we have lunch in an Indian restaurant.
Then we discover our neighbourhood before heading to the "Toi o Tamaki" gallery, the most important art gallery in Auckland.
It has an exceptional collection that covers a vast period of art history, including traditional and contemporary Maori achievements through paintings, sculptures, photographs and other digital works.
At the exit, the weather is threatening which forces us to return to the apartment for a quiet evening
2nd day
Rain falls intermittently. We go to the " New Zealand Maritime Museum".
Several galleries retrace the arrival of the Maori or the hell of the deep-sea voyage lived by the first settlers with collections of models and historical documents.
Returning to our apartment we pass in front of the "A Downtown Ferry Terminal" which now hosts shops.
Then " Viaduct Harbour " the old dock district that was transformed in the last century. The old docks and warehouses have given way to trendy designer shops and startups.
We make some provisions and spend the afternoon working on the site and videos
Day 3:
A heavy rain has fallen on the city since last night.
That doesn’t stop us from going shopping. We are located in the central area of "Queen Street".
We start with the casino which has 1,600 slot machines!!! We don’t play ... It’s just complicated machines... Where is the time of machines "Bandit manchot"!
We are surprised by the mix of shops in this very small perimeter... Among the major international brands, souvenir shops, restaurants and banks the choice is very limited.
GREAT EVENING
Pierre, the son of our friends Françoise and Bernard, at the end of a tour of South America by camper van, organized a surprise dinner.
Our friends arrived the day before from Normandy for holidays in New Zealand and Polynesia. They thought we were back in Chile and it was a great surprise for them.
We met the family of Pierre, his wife Marion and their two children Romi and Nino.
We had a wonderful evening 18,500 km away from France!
4th Day:
Tonight we take off to find our companion road that we have abandoned in Chile.
On the advice of our friends, we visit " Auckland Museum " or "Auckland War Memorial "
Its column façade evokes the Greek temples and large bronze plaques commemorate the sacrifice of the maoris battalions who came to fight in the trenches of Verdun.
While there is a dedicated section devoted to the military, other sections focus on the country’s history, Maori culture and volcanic activity.
We leave New Zealand, which has amazed us with its beautiful landscapes.
Its national parks, coastal trails, glaciers, fjords, beaches and lunar landscapes make this country a destination full of treasures.
Without forgetting for us the joy of having seen Léonie and Erin who helped us in the construction of our circuit and to make the acquaintance of Carole and David.
Uretiti Beach
We stay on the same and huge beach but we change places to have electricity.
Quiet day to pack and clean the camper.
Last night in our 8 m palace!!!
Matata
It
Paihia
We continue our ascent north of the island into "Northland".
It is the northernmost region of the North Island with no less than 800 km of superb coastal landscapes. It includes, among others, the "Bay of Islands", the country’s most famous seaside destination.
The Bay of Islands is famous for its mild lifestyle and by its climate, one of the sunniest in the country. The weather is pleasant all year through.
Officially, there are 144 offshore islands, but most of them are uninhabited. There are eight large islands that are accessible to visitors, while others are private or classified as nature reserves.
Its history is quite turbulent: It’s here that New Zealand was officially born with the Treaty of Waitangi ratified after many clashes
The arrival at "Paihia" after crossing the hills is a pure delight, the coastal landscape, lined with houses with white palisades, palm trees and "pohutukawas" (red flowering trees), immediately sets the tone on the beauty of the site
We are staying at "Paihia" campsite for three days
1st Day
We get to know this beautiful resort by starting as always with the tourist office.
We walk along several beaches and visit the St Paul’s Anglican Church.
On our way back to the campsite we meet a New Zealander who speaks perfect French. A very pleasant exchange. We learn that once a month she joins a French-language reading group. Incredible on the other side of the world.
2nd Day
We visit " Russell "
Picturesque and very photogenic, the village of Russell has got a waterfront bordered by pohutukawas and painted colonial houses whose fences surround charming gardens.
Nestled between the hills overlooking the Bay of Islands, this village, which was briefly the first capital of New Zealand, is incredibly peaceful despite its historical past.
In the 18th century, it’s a prosperous Maori village, controlled by the Ngāre Raumati tribe. Far from being a mere trading post, the village serves as a refuge for a motley population made up of sailors, adventurers or deserters and escaped Australian prisoners
Tensions with the Maori are common due to cultural differences.
To restore order the English sign the treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840.
To get to "Russell" we take a boat across the bay, then we go around the village and its surroundings.
After lunch in a Thaï restaurant, we visit the small museum of the city
Back to the campsite to organize the rest of our program.
3rd Day
Visit the island of Urupukapuka, the jewel of the bay.
After a 40-minute crossing from Paihia, we disembark in an idyllic setting and start on «Urupukapuka Island Walk», an archaeological trail that winds between beaches and hills and offers superb panoramas.
Return to the pier to enjoy the sun and a good beer very refreshing.
The evening is dedicated to the site and photos.
ROAD BOOK 210
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MAVROS ODYSSEE
