Thursday 17 February
Cape Reinga, Kauri trees, Ninety Mile Beach, Puketi Kauri Forest.
Amazing day.... We drove on the Ninety mile Beach (actually more like 54 miles) in the tour bus. The beach is considered a higway. Following a stream that leads to the beach, we stopped to sand surf....whoooeeeeee! Then there was surf, endless beach, digging up clams for our Maori guide Huey who sang several Maori songs for us and told us exactly from which Maori family he descends. He also told us his European heritage is Irish. Our guide on the Waitangi Treaty grounds also explained in detail her ancestry.
Cape Reinga was breathtaking. Slightly to the west of the end of the cape is the exact point where the Pacific and the Tasman Sea meet. The Cape also holds significance for the Maori as it is from a rock formation here that their spirits leave for the journey to their spiritual Hawaiki home. Our guide told us that when a Maori dies, he or she is supposed to be buried with his/her mother. I loved all the ritual and depth of their culture.
Varied topography, beautiful vistas at every turn... a spectacular day.
Hi, world travelers! My son Mark has helped me so that I can now see your blogs and write to you. Consider this a huge hug from HOME! :) I've loved all that you've written ... I'd also love to see the ocean and shoreline there and hear the Maori stories and traditions. (What has been done to that great culture under the guise of "civilization"?!) Thank you for sharing your adventure with me! Talked to Cori yesterday and they are getting things moved into the condo in NJ! I have a Miller Lite reserved for Den in the fridge. Stay safe ... big hugs!
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Annie
Je suis contente de pouvoir lire votre blog et de vous suivre dans ce merveilleux voyage ...
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