Saturday 3rd Nov

5.50am wake up call again for 7.10am coach pick up. We didn't manage to have breakfast as the kitchen was closed! We needed a cuppa!! This time, we went on the coach that was run by Awesome Adventure. Unfortunately for us, we couldn't understand the driver as the coach was too noisy! Though the driver did make sure that we are getting the important information.

The first stop was at the Puketi Kauri Forest to check out some majestic trees that are dated up to 2000 years. It was a very brief stop as the walk around the forest took us only 5 mins to get around!

We cruised up to Kaitaia to stop by to get breakfast before progressing onto Ninety Mile Beach.

When we arrived to Ninety Mile Beach, the driver took us onto the beach and went along on the sand at top speed!

He then stopped somewhere on the beach to show us something that we could do. Few people including Daniel dug the sand to pick the shells that looks like mussels. Once that was done, the driver broke the shells to dig it out to eat. Few people were brave enough to eat but unfortunately we weren't! It looked horrid to eat. We did ask one brave volunteer if it was nice. He said it was very squishy and fishy in a way! That put us off to try it for good!

We exited the beach at Te Paki Stream, which is notorious for eating cars. At the end of the stream, there were some of the biggest sand dunes in the country where we got the chance to sandboard down.

We were prepared to climb up as it was going to be a killer for our legs! After catching few breaths and 10mins climb, we had a go on sandboarding which was over in 10 secs! It was great fun and we had half an hour to make the most of it. Unfortunately for Lisa, she had no energy left to climb up again for 2nd go. Her old knee injury from snowboarding was also playing up which didn't help her. Daniel was fit enough to go up again for 2nd go. In our group, there was a scottish guy who actually managed to fit 6 goes on sandboarding!!

30mins was up and time to go back on the coach again to visit Cape Reinga. It was where the 2 oceans meet to check out the great views from the lighthouse right at the top of New Zealand. Apparently its a special area for the Maori People of New Zealand whose legends tell the story of Maori spirits passing into the next world via this sacred place. After taking photos of the views and checking out the beach, back onto the coach again!

For our lunch break, we were taken to Tapotupotu Bay where we had 45 mins to do what we want. We just relaxed and sunbathed for a bit as it was so hot and sunny. The first sunshine and warmth since we arrived to Paihia! That was our last stop on our last trip.

We headed back south via the east coast, stopping at the fish and chip shop in Mangonui. We decided to not to have the dinner as we already bought food. We just waited around till everyone finished their dinner!

Before returning back to the hostel, we stopped by at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom where they had the first massive staircase made out of the large tree log.

Finally back at the hostel around 6.30pm and we were so knackered but still no rest for the wicked! Still got the dinner to make! It was stressful to make dinner as the kitchen was so tight and there wasn't enough hobs to cook on!! The kitchen was the worse we were ever be in!

Packing time again, in preparation to go back to Auckland for a night before going to Mercury Bay.