AN OVERNIGHT CRUISE ON IPIPIRI (PAIHIA)

It's not very usual for a boss to let 3 of his stuffs go on a 3-day vacation all at the same time. Our boss, Robert, did! He let Steph, Yogi and I go on an industry trip to Bay of Islands with Intercity/GreatSights in October.

With no further delay, let me tell you about this amazing trip & what a wonderful time we had up there.....

A comfortable GreatSights Coach

Our trip started at 7.30AM on a grey & wet Monday morning. It didn't look pretty to begin the trip with rains. But we were excited about this trip and nobody seemed to be bothered by the weather. We all got on a big & comfortable coach with 32 of us on board.

An hour after we left Auckland, we stopped at Parry Kauri Park in Warkworth.  First thing I noticed is this massive 800-900 years old Kauri tree, The McKinney Kauri. It's named after Rev. McKinney, the 1st minister of the Presbyterian Church in Warkworth, who used to own this property back in the early years of European settlement (Source: Warkworth & District Museum website). 

So, if you don't have time to go & see the famous 4,000 years old Kauri, Tane Mahuta, at the Waipoua Forest in Northland. This is a really good opportunity to encouter with a few of these Kauri trees.

Fuller GreatSights Bay of Islands Office

We arrived in Paihia just before midday.  Martitme Building, where we got dopped off, is an office for Fullers Bay of Islands & the main bus stop for buses in Paihia. The weather was great so we decided to stroll around town & had our lunch. 

Paihia Waterfront

Paihia is a small town with population of around 3,000. We've been told that the population will increase in double (or even triple) in Summer (Nov-Feb). I can understand why Paihia is a popular holiday spot. The town has a very friendly & lay-back atmosphere. Quiet but has all the essentials you need for a good holiday. 

Paihia Waterfront

After lunch, we met with the rest of the group in front of Fullers Bay of Islands by the waterfront. We were driven from Paihia to Opua Wharf, where we boarded Ipipiri.  

Ipipiri

Ipipiri (e-pip-pi-rey) is a Maori word meaning "many places". The name used by the Maori to refer to the "Bay of Islands" as Captain Cook named the place. 

Corridor to Guest Rooms

Ipipiri is a 150 feet catamaran with 4 levels. It is the largest cruise ship permanently based in New Zealand. It has 30 ocean view cabins with private ensuite. Each room can be configured as one king bed or two single beds.  

Our room (Twin Share)

We arrived on board & gathered at the main dinning room, The Saloon, for a brief safety guide, an introduction to the vessel & crew members. We then checked in to our rooms and are allowed some free time before our afternoon activities. 

Sun Deck

Lower Deck

Bottom Deck

The ship was cruised around the sheltered waters of Bay of Islands & before stopped at Moturua Island for our afternoon activities. The options are kayaking, swimming, snorkeling or beach walks.

Leaving for afternoon activities

We opted for the beach walks to make it an easy afternoon. Besides, the water was too cold for a dip in the sea. We got on a small boat which sit on a platform from the lower deck. The platform was lowered into the water until the beat is floated then launched. I think it was pretty cool idea & very easy for passengers.  

Heading toward Moturua Island

It took about 5 minutes to get to Army Bay (Waiwhapuka Bay) on the island. The water was crystal clear with many different sea shells on the shore. Moturua Island was used as a mine control station by the Navy during the World War II. 

Arrive at Army Bay

From the beach, there's an easy walking track around the island. There's one that  leads up to the top where you can spot squre concret platforms. These are the remaining of ground structures of the sites. (Source: Department of Conservation website).  Stepha & I only walked a tiny bit of the track. We preferred to spend more time relaxing by the beach.

Other passengers arrive at Army Bay

We got back onboard the ship at around 5.30pm. Dinner wasn't going served until 7.30pm so I went for some coffee & muffins to fill my empty stomach. There's always compliment tea/coffee & a few kinds of freshly baked muffins served onboard.

Dinner (Entree)

Buffet Dinner (Main#1)

Buffet Dinner (Main#2)

Dinner started right on time at 7.30pm. A 3 course buffet dinner started with a choice of Prawn Cocktail or Vegetable Stack, plated & served at my table. I went for prawn, of course. 

On the buffet, there's a good selection of meat, seafood, vegetables & salads with both Western & Eastern flavours. The food are fresh & delicious. I went back for another round at the buffet. There's also a good variety of desserts: Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake, and of course, Pavlova - a Kiwi's favourite dessert.

4Sightseeing Team (L-R) Nancy, Stephanie & Yogi

After dinner, we sat & chat for a while before heading back to our rooms. The bed was comfortable which was really good considering we would have a really busy day the next day. 

If you're planning to visit Bay of Islands, I would definitely recommend spend a night on Ipipiri. This is a very unique experience for you to discover the beauty of Bay of Islands. 


Posted by

Nancy
 

CAPE REINGA / 90 MILE BEACH TOUR WITH AWESOMENZ

You have to be up early doors if you want to see the most northern point of this beautiful country. And do grab a good breakfast before you leave, because a trip to Cape Reinga with AwesomeNZ is an action-packed day!

As you leave Paihia at 7.30am, you will take time to know your friendly driver-guide who will tell you so much about the things you will see along the way. Your first stop is  the 15,000ha Puketi Kauri Forest. Hug a tree, because remember these plants allow us to breathe everyday!

Hop back on the bus and enjoy the scenery that appears before you, it is a long way up to the top but a quick stop at Taipa's bakery should give you some energy. The landscape gets even more impressive as you get closer. Between stretches of farmland and many little lambs to desert-like. 

As AwesomeNZ tells us, 'The headland of Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua) rises steeply to 290m above sea level. According to Maori legend this is the departing place of spirits on their journey to the homeland, Hawaiki. Legend tells of a spirit trail along 90 Mile Beach, starting at the southern end of the beach, the departing spirit waits for an outgoing tide before journeying back to Hawaiki'.

The grounds of Cape Reinga offer tourists a real insight of the stories and legends of the place, with information panels dotted along the way. Please not that these grounds are 'tapu' or sacred, and food and drink should not be brought in to show respect to the indigenous spirits. Most impressive is the distinct natural line where two great waters meet - witness the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide for yourself! 

Take some snaps of the lighthouse and the multi-distance pole - 'I'm that far from London? That feels great!'

Next stop is Taputaputa Bay, where you can have a surf (AwesomeNZ provides the boards) or just take a stroll along the beach. A chance to relax before speeding down the slopes of Te Paki Stream Sand Dunes. Listen closely to the safety instructions, it is a dangerous but fun exercise :-) (And you will get sand up your nose despite your best efforts).

It's time to go even faster and make some donuts on 90 Mile Beach, which turns out to not be 90 but 55 miles long. Several theories have been advanced for the name, the most common stemming from the days when missionaries travelled on horse back when on average a horse could travel 30 miles (50 km) in a day before needing to be rested. The beach took three days to travel therefore earning its name, but the missionaries did not take into account the slower pace of the horses walking in the sand, thus thinking they had travelled 90 miles (140 km) when in fact they had only travelled 55. 
A very eery and desolate place, with the sad presence of 2 beached baby sharks. When the weather permits, you may get a chance to dig for some pipis.

By this point you'll be starving folks, but fret not, you have the opportunity to savour the region's 'best fish n' chips'. Now, I hear a lot of places say that. Whitby in Northern England, Anstruther Fish Bar in Scotland, and many others. But Mongonui's fish shop is damn good. Mushy peas, ketchup and vinegar available for those strange people. Ok, mushy peas are alright.

Head back to the Bay and reflect on where you've been, it doesn't get more spiritual than this in NZ.

GO EXPLORE!
Steph