NORTHLAND

My brother Rick, Elin Mathews, and I began our journeys on July 6, 2000 in our rented car by heading north from Auckland into the Northland region. My brother Rick capably handled the challenge of driving on the left side of the road. Although the weather was gray and rainy, we still enjoyed the beautiful drive through the roads that curved through the hills of grazing sheep and cows and the forests of lush vegetation.

Our first two nights were spent at Pacific Rendezvous in Tututkaka, a wonderful resort perched high on a peninsula on the eastern coast. From three directions we had incredible views of the ocean and harbor.

The view from our apartment window on the north side.

The harbor view from the south side of the resort.

Sunrise from the tip of the north point.

(more of Northland)