Downunder 2001 Update 3

Auckland 06/04/2001

It is a long time since I wrote my last update. Cause I was travel to and near the Bay of Islands I was not able to write a report. So this will probably an extra long edition of the update. It all started on thursday the 22nd of March when I took the Northerliner Express from Auckland to Paihia. First I already met my new flatmates Judy , Justin , Ronelle and Neal. So already left my hostel on wednesday and took my stuff to Cobana place and stayed the night there. Justin drove into town , close to the busstation were he close works in marketing for a food company. The drive was just with an ordinary bus with local people and backpackers like me. Not really met interseting people , because I had a little snooze , because not used to early mornings. So got at Lodge 11 in Paihia and went to bed early , because the next the Ecocruz started. For more info about Ecocruz and pictures how it must be look like to be on the Eco cruz, just check their website www.bigblueandgreen.co.nz So get up early (8 am is for me) and went to the wharf of Paihia were John picked us up and brought us with the dinghy to the Manawanui our sailing ship for our 3 day trip. I was together with Sue who was from England. So plenty of room for both of us , because the have room for 23 sleeping places. We met Ray the skipper and think we already met the 'Sea' dog Moby. This was really perfect just two of us and the crew , looks like a private cruise. On this first day we went to Deep coat water and did some kayaking what was not so good for my back , because this kayaks had no support for it. So went 'kayak-surfing' instead on the way back. (use your imagination or wait till the pics) All day great food made by John and caught by Ray. Fresh Tuna taste really Yammmmmmmmmmmmmmmy Saturday did the Cape Brett Track were we had a lovely view (I have to develop my films now) and stayed at Oki bay. Joined Ray for fishing , but was not so lucky. Sue was a really good fisher(wo)men and got hooked of her fishing. So plenty of food and nice exercise too. Sunday was already the last day of the trip and went to Red head island and went snorkling in amazing underwater caves and tunnels. So times went to quick , so decided to do another trip , because they will go to other places in the Bay of Islands. So good already join them monday night instead of tuesday morning. Now also James the cook arrived , because their were more people on this trip and he finishing is paperworks in Auckland. On this trip their were (another) James from England and a german girl which name I can't remember. Tuesday morning got up early and got excited , because friends of John on another sailing ship spotted dolphins. When we got them in our view it seemed to be False Killer whales which were about 20-30 in the pot. So took nice shots with my DV. Rest of the day had a snooze while John and the other guests did the last quatre of the Cape Brett track. When we picked them up with the dinghy I just saw a dolphin cruising near to the cliffs , but was too late with the DV and the walkers did not see the dolphin. Although this experience is still in my memory. Completely different from the Dolphin watching & swimming trip I did 3 years ago. After that excitement we went to Whangamumu harbour were we picked up a couple who got there with the watertaxi of another overnight Partyboat named the Rock. They could join in kayaking and snorkeling. Wednesday morning I roughly waked up and almost trown out of bed , because of rough sea from the east coast of the cape. So little bit dizzy , joined the others outside were was more fresh air. After this experience we got to Urupukapuka Island were we had more stable ground under our feet to do a easy walk with gorgeous views. Sailed further to Te Hui Bay were John and I spotted a Hammerhead shark. Did not freighted me to snorkle in the bay , although stayed closed to John. Just before sunset we went at shore to a 'Moby -friendly' beach and digged together 'Pipies' a sort of mussel and very lovely to eat. So got one bucket for all of us and an half bucket for John , because he love his 'Pipies'. Also saw a dead Eagle Ray at the beach , but never spotted a living one yet. Still a little bit dizzy and had a headache , decided to swim back instead of sitting in the dinghy. This was quit an effort (aprox. 300 m) and was not aware of sharks , although stayed close to the kayak of James. After a good sleep saw lots of little pinguins and went for another snorkling , but not so special as the first one done on the Ecocruz. Will sign off now , because it is almost 1 am , so will save the great fishermen stories of Steph and me till next time.