Paihia

Kia Ora to todays post!

This is going to be all about Paihia, a little city in the Bay of Islands, ca. 300km north from Auckland and almost at the top of New Zealand. I've stayed there for four nights, originally booked 6 but my bus back to Auckland was full already and I didn't want to be left in the hostel for two more nights. 

On request of a single lady (:p) I'll also tell a little about my accommodation. I've stayed at Base Pipi Patch in the Bay of Islands and it has been way better than the Base ACB in Auckland. Less people there, a more familiar feeling, hanging out with more people or also with just the whole roommates... I even met some people again that I met in Auckland.

 
 And how could I not mention Harold, the hostels cat? 


Let's continue with Paihia in chronologically ordered pictures. Enjoy!



The next ones are already Day 2- tuesday

 
Not just a forest in the rain, but a real rain forest in the rain! (Manginangina)
 At the beautiful Cape Reinga- just not the place where the oceans meet
 The lighthouse - where the two oceans meet. During storm weather you will probably see the oceans crushing together!

 90 miles beach -  almost. It is "just" 88 kilometers long, but this is still quite a long distance...

 
Sand dune and sand boarding

 Day 3 - Hole in the Rock Cruise

I've been on the waitlist for the sunday bus to Auckland, so I brought my activities forward and left 2 days earlier than planned. This included my Hole in the Rock Cruise and man, I was hoping so much that we see dolphins due to no time for another cruise (for free). And we did! There was even a cute little baby dolphin!!



I have no pictures of Russell, but I've made a quick visit there. A lovely small island!

 Day 4 - Horse Trekn Beach ride

 Thursday was the day I was really looking forward to - a beach ride with swimming with horses! My horse was called Dusky, he's a 5 year old Appaloosa x Clydesdale cross and so so cute!! He just loves cuddles. We didn't swim but only walked through the water cause this was his first time in the water with a rider on his back, but that was also my first time sitting bareback on a horse and with a Bikini and had quite some troubles finding balance. I was lucky being the only one booked for this ride and the weather was perfect! On the last meters it started to rain, but we've been in the water with bright sunshine!

In the afternoon Christoph and I decided to do one of the walks that are recommended to do in Paihia. The school walk is the shortest walk with "only" 1.4 Kilometres one-way but the view is still worth it. On the top of the hill it started to rain, but staying there was paid off with a beautiful full rainbow and another faint one at the same time.


On the way back to the hostel we found a few New Zealand birds :D


 And a very beautiful sky during sunset

 Day 5 - Friday
The day of my departure back to Auckland. The bus drives at midday, so I had another half a day in Paihia. I started it with an amazing sunrise, very golden light and definitly worth watching!
That was Paihia! Hope you like it, though its already 2 weeks ago.

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