Kicking off Road Trip New Zealand 2015! Tauranga is a coastal town on the Bay of Plenty, and to be honest, we never actually made it into the town of Tauranga itself. My Mom and John were visiting us here in New Zealand, so we started the road trip off in style by renting a couple houses. Here, we stayed for two nights at the Poripori house just south of Tauranga. Thanks to Grandpa John for all the great photos at The Adrenalin Forest.
Road Trip Journal – February 6, 2015 (Whangarei to The Tauranga Area)
Whangarei –> Poripori Homestead
Beautiful property
The Poripori House. Only half (the left half in this picture) was our rental part. The owners also live in the house, and they were quite nice and welcoming.Our patio and pool. We didn’t use the pool.At first I thought this was a photo of the boys doing dishes, but Alex has his iPad, so I have no idea what they were doing.
Road Trip Journal – February 7, 2015 (The Tauranga Area)
Mount Brewing Co – 4pm, kitchen closed. Good beer and fries.
Dinner at Astrolabe (also on main drag) – crappy pizza. Good fries. Mac’s beer on tap.
McLaren Falls at dusk
An afternoon in Mount Maunganui, a coastal town on a strip of land that reminded me of Mission Beach with the “beach side” and the “bay side”A view of the “bay side” boardwalk towards Mauao (The hill in the distance)A view back towards the “bay side” beach from the base onf MauaoAction shot as we walked around the base of Mauao (about 3.5 km, mostly flat)The current in this channel looked wicked. It reminded me of passes in the Tuamotus. That power boat is barely moving.A view towards the industrial portAlmost all the way around the base of Mauao. In the background is the “beach side.”The base track walkers are done with their hike…… but the summit walkers are just beginning.A view of the “beach side” from part way up to the summit of MauaoWe made it to the top……John tooAfter our hikes and dinner in Mount Maunganui, we stopped at McLaren Falls, which was very near our houseBrenden was first down to the rocks. I was shortly to follow, but of course there is no photographic evidence of that.Wait! Evidence!Everyone else watched from the bridge.
Email to family and friends dated January 7, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Road Trip Day 4
We started out the road trip by spending a fantastic couple of days with our friends on Field Trip in the Town Basin Marina in Whangarei. There were so many boats we know there, including many kid boats, and we all had a lot of fun. Yesterday we made a 4.5 hour drive down to the area between Rotorua and Tauranga and we are staying in a house with my mom and John. We had a great evening yesterday making dinner and catching up. And wow, what a luxury staying in a house with such things as a huge living room and kitchen, carpet, real beds, high pressure showers (that don’t cost $2), and get this, a dishwasher! The boys were very excited about that. Love and miss you all, -D.
The Exodus Deck Log did not come with us on this road trip, but I did keep a small journal to document where we went and what we did on this Epic Road Trip that took us from Opua all the way to the southern tip of the South Island and back.
Road Trip Journal – February 4, 2015 (Opua to Whangarei)
Opua –> Whangarei
Stayed 2 nights at Chez Field Trip.
Dinner on Field Trip
Guys night out
Road Trip Journal – February 5, 2015 (Whangarei)
D – Running – Hatea Loop Walkway
Girls night out (Sarah, Jenny, Sabina, Liz, Estie)
The Butter Factory – Good pizza, lousy service. Live cover band.
Field Trip graciously offered to let us stay with them while in Whangarei marinaLook who we found!
We were in Whangaroa harbor almost a week, but mostly it was doing life sort of things like school, so there aren’t many photos.
Logbook – January 22, 2015 (Mangonui to Whangaroa)
Passage Log Highlights
0915 Engines on/depart Mangonui
0940 Port engine off
1111 Engines on (both)
Daily Notes
T/Boys – Motor Exodus to Whangaroa
D- run in Mangonui, drive up the hill to the Pa for a spectacular view. Breakfast @ Little Kitchen. Drive to Whangaroa.
Mangonui to WhangaroaWhangaroa HarborAnchored in Waitapu Bay
Logbook – January 23, 2015 (Whangaroa)
Daily Notes
T/Boys/Jack – Scallop hunt 😦
Brenden loves his spicy hamachi rolls. He doesn’t even bother slicing them, just eats them like a burrito
Logbook – January 24, 2015 (Whangaroa)
Daily Notes
Day trip to Pukenui then Te Paki for more sand dunes w/ Dafne and Field Trip. Dinner @ campground. Boys got to stay the night.
Te Paki Sand Dunes (we remembered the boogie boards this time)Post-dune beersPreparing the girls for their college daysAlex let Jade give him a ponytailLookin goodPlaying at the campgroundCrazy sleeping bag kids….Cleo, Elizabeth, and BrendenI take the grilling of potatoes and onions quite seriously
Logbook – January 25, 2015 (Whangaroa)
Daily Notes
D – run along the waterfront
Boys back at noon, very tired
Logbook – January 26, 2015 (Whangaroa)
Daily Notes
After school – Hike up to St. Paul’s rock. Very short section with a chain. Awesome views.
The floating dock near at the boat ramp. At low tide it would be fully resting on the ground. Not much of a dock then.
Logbook – January 27, 2015 (Whangaroa)
Daily Notes
D – slept all day
Boys – movies & games
Fish curry for dinner
Email to family and friends dated January 27, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Whangaroa Harbor
Whangaroa harbor is a huge bay with lots of nooks and crannies, and we are currently anchored by our lonesome in one of the offshoots called Waitapu Bay. It is about a mile dinghy ride to “town” which consists of a marina, a fishing club/restaurant, and a small general store. We’ve enjoyed a couple of day trips by car to hang out with a couple other kid boats, and the boys even got to stay over at a campground with them the other night. Yesterday afternoon we had a family hike up to the top of St. Paul’s Rock which was a relatively short, steep hike up to a spectacular 360 deg view of the entire harbor. Hopefully in the next few days we’ll get good weather to head back down to Opua and start prepping for our big road trip and Mom and John’s visit. Love and miss you all, -D.
It’s here we split crews while Tim and Jack lived out their spearfishing dream at Three Kings Island and the Boys, Camille, and I enjoyed the quaint little town of Mangonu, which means “Big Shark.”
Logbook – January 17, 2015 (Cavalli Islands to Mangonui)
Passage Log Highlights
0842 Engines on
0852 Depart
0905 SB engine off
1353 SB engine on
1432 Engines off. Arrive Mangonui
1450 Mayday Relay VHF Ch. 16 (1)
Daily Notes
(1) Mayday relay by Kaitaia Maritime radio. 10m vessel sinking in Cavalli passage neary Matawi bay.
Cavalli Islands to MangonuiTucked inside the bay at MangonuiRounding the point into Doubtless BayTim and Jack leave for a few days on Iguana for an epic fishing adventure at Three Kings
Email to family and friends dated January 18, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Excursion to Three Kings Island
We moved a little further north up to Mangonui harbor where we are anchored in a nice sheltered spot in shallow water. There is a small town here, so after just a couple days off the grid we are excited to go ashore for dinner. But we will be short one of the Exodus crew. Tim is leaving with Jack on Iguana for a couple days to go up 100 miles to Three Kings Island where the fishing is supposed to be spectacular. Camille is staying with us and tomorrow our other friend Briana from Tusitala is going to come hang out, so we’ll be doing some wine sipping, I’m sure. Love and miss you all, -D.
Penguin crossing?The Mangonui cruisers clubRaw eggs are definitely not what you want in your bilge.Iguana returns
Email to family and friends dated January 20, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Monster Fish
Tim and Jack arrived back from Three Kings Islands last night, and their trip was absolutely amazing. I won’t be able to do it justice, so I am really going to push Tim to write a blog post. They each came back with a ~90-100 lb yellowtail kingfish. The photos and videos are unreal… I think Jack tagged Tim in a couple photos already on facebook. I will try to get more stuff uploaded over the next couple days, but today the boys and I are taking the bus down to Opua to see some friends, another kid boat, who had sailed on to Australia, but they have flown into NZ for a week or so. They have 3 girls and let’s just say the oldest one is about Alex’s age and he voluntarily took a shower last night for the first time in I can’t remember how long. Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – January 21, 2015 (Mangonui)
Daily Notes
D/Boys – Bus to Opua to see Dafne. Glowworm caves and Waitangi treaty grounds w/ Dafne and Field Trip.
Saw John & Rosemary at Opua Cafe
Ginge, the Mangonui community catWaiting for the busOur second trip to the Kawiti Glow-worm Caves; this time with friends (Dafne & Field Trip)Cultural show at the Waitangi Treaty grounds
Logbook – January 22, 2015 (Mangonui to Waitapu Bay)
Daily Notes
T/Boys – Motor Exodus to Whangaroa
D- run in Mangonui, drive up the hill to the Pa for a spectacular view. Breakfast @ Little Kitchen. Drive to Whangaroa.
We buddy boated with Iguana and Field Trip on the North Bay of Motukawanui Island, which is the largest island in the Cavalli group. Highlights included a nice hike across the island, Jack breaking Tim’s record with a 45 lb kingfish, and the appearance of the Field Trip Quad Copter. If you haven’t seen the video yet, you definitely need to check it out. Some stills are captured here.
Logbook – January 14, 2105 (Opua to Motukawanui Island, North Bay)
Passage Log Highlights
1010 Depart fuel dock
1222 P engine off. Main + Genoa
1532 Engines Off Motukawanui Is. North Bay
Daily Notes
Day sail to Cavalli Islands
T/B/Jack/Mark (Field Trip) spearfishing. Jack shoots B’s fish that got away
Opua to Cavalli IslandsAnchored on the North side of Motukawanui Island
Email to family and friends dated January 14, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Cavalli Islands
We are heading out of the Bay of Islands to go about 20 miles north to cruise the Cavalli Islands for a couple of weeks. Not sure what internet connectivity will be like. I just uploaded a new movie to youtube (link on facebook) from when we were at Minerva Reef. Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – January 15, 2015 (Motukawanui Island, North Bay)
Daily Notes
T/J – spearfish – J huge yellowtail
D/T/B – short hike on island
Dinner on Exodus w/ Iguana & Field Trip
Jack’s monster kingfish
Email to family and friends dated January 15, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Spear Fishing Follies
We made it the short hop up to the Cavalli Islands and we are anchored off of the largest island, called Motukawanui. There’s a low pressure system passing to the East of us that isn’t supposed to affect us too much, but it could kick up some south winds, so we’ll probably hang out here until that passes. We are here with Iguana and Field Trip, and as soon as we got here the guys were in the water, including Brenden. It wasn’t a very lucrative outing. Brenden shot a medium sized Trevally, and it got away. But a little later Jack was stalking a school of fish and he saw one that already had a hole in it, so he took a shot at it. He brought it to Brenden, and sure enough, that was Brenden’s fish that got away. Crazy! There’s no cell service here, so I’m back to old school SSB email. Oh, the horror! -Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – January 16, 2015 (Motukawanui Island, North Bay)
Daily Notes
T/J – Spearfish with guys from Auckland (Mark Helms)
D – hike across the island
Potluck on Field Trip. Resistance.
A hike across the islandTim stole my drinkField Trip, Exodus, Iguana
We came back to Opua and did a couple shake down overnight road trips foreshadowing our upcoming epic Road Trip New Zealand. We also did a little North Island Cruising for good measure.
Exodus road trip. Cape Reinga. Te Pake Sand Dunes.
Pukenui Holiday Park with ponies and ducks.
We took a 2 day/1 night road trip up to the most norther section of New Zealand. We packed a lot into 2 days, and it was a lot of fun. First stop: our camp site at Pukenui Holiday ParkKind of random, but they had ponies thereSecond stop: A nice roadside view on the way up to Cape ReingaThird stop: Cape Reinga, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman SeaFourth stop: a small beach called Tapotupotu.The only photographic evidence I was on this trip. These are my feet in Alex’s huge jandals (aka flip-flops)Fifth Stop: The sand dunes at Te Paki
A little paddle board back at the holiday parkA little chili and a little Tempranillo in the kitchen at the holiday park
Ahipara – very end of 90 mile beach, helped people stuck in sand
Morning relaxation in the loungeSecond day, first stop: 90-mile beach near Pukenui. In reality, the beach is only about 55 miles long, but does it really matter?
Just driving along the beach, nothing strange about thatSecond day, second stop: The very southern end of 90 mile beach near Ahipara. Helping another vehicle that got stuck in the sandSwim between the flags.Paddle ball anyone?
Logbook – January 7, 2015 (Opua)
Daily Notes
T – spearfishing w/ Andy – 42 lb Yellowtail!
D- run along Kerikeri rivertrack to Rainbow Falls
Our new favorite anchor location in Opua, behind Motu TokapeI went for a run along Kerikeri River Track…… passed Wharepuke falls……Rainbow Falls…… And the Fairy Pools. I saw this sign but couldn’t figure out what the attraction was.While I was running, Tim was taking care of the serious business! A 42 lb Kingfish (aka Yellowtail)These were the gorgeous kingfish steaks we had for dinner that night
Email to family and friends dated January 7, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Mini-road trip
We decided to take advantage of the warm and sunny weather to take a mini road trip to the far north of New Zealand. It was kind of like a dry run for our upcoming road trip, and it served its purpose and then some. We went to Cape Reinga, which is the northwest tip of the north island where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea collide. It was good weather so the wave peaks were fairly benign, but the views were stunning. The Maori consider it a sacred place, where souls depart this world for another, and both my guidebook and the sign at the parking lot said it is taboo to eat or drink there. But that didn’t stop a Kiwi family from having a full blown picnic out there. I’m sure they didn’t mean to be so disrespectful, but c’mon, do a little reading. We also went to the Te Paki sand dunes, and even though we forgot our boogie boards and were too cheap to rent them (NZ$15) the boys still had a blast climbing up and then running down the dunes. We stayed the night at the Pukenui Holiday Park, which seemed a bit over priced for what it was (NZ$54 for the four of us for just an unpowered tent site), we had a relaxing evening chatting with some folks from Singapore who were winding down a relaxing vacation away from the work stresses that I guess are so prevalent in Singapore. The next day we headed out to 90 mile beach, and wow, what a treat. It’s not actually 90 miles long, more like 55 miles, but at that length, it really doesn’t matter. The slope of the beach is very very gradual and the sand is hard packed so most of the day, excepting right around high tide, you can drive out on the beach. Some of the entry/exit points aren’t accessible for 2WD vehicles like ours, but we still found a spot to get out there and go for a spin. Turns out it would have been possible for us to drive the full length of the beach, but without knowing for sure, we didn’t go that far. We made it back to Opua last night after dinner in Paihia, and since this is the first time we’ve left Exodus alone at anchor, we were happy to find her right where we left her. Today, Tim is out with a local guy he’s made friends with spearfishing at Cape Brett, so we are hoping for some Hamachi sashimi tonight. Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – January 8, 2015 (Opua)
Daily Notes
Dinner with Lumbaz – curry & sushi
Logbook – January 9, 2015 (Opua – Kerikeri)
Daily Notes
Family Kerikeri day. Winery, propane, camping store, liquor store, grocery store (for yogurt covered raisins.), hike along river track
I made the boys go with me again for a hike along the Kerikeri River Track. They weren’t thrilledBut I got another view of Rainbow fallsAnd the highlight of the day for Brenden were the Roosters in the parking lot
Logbook – January 10, 2015 (Opua)
Daily Notes
Science & programming day. Brenden loves oobleck. Programming not so much.
A blue heron keeps visiting
Logbook – January 11, 2015 (Opua – Roadtrip Waipoua Forest)
We took another one-night road trip, this time to the southwest to the Waipoua Forest on the Kauri Coast. We stopped at the Wairere Boulders Nature Park along the way, and it was quite a treat, even if expensive. It’s privately owned and operated, which explains the cost, and if you are a geology nut this is a must see. The rocks are basalt, and the fluted ridges are from erosion from acidic water from Kauri Tree runoff. Apparently, Basalt eroding like this is very, very rare.They had a bit of a game set up for kids. It was to find all the rocks made to look like animals. The boys found the turtle.Tim found the crocodile.Brenden found the octopus.This rock apparently fell over at some pointThe main hike through the park was a loop, but I opted to take the additional one-hour extension up to a lookout point. The boys opted to wait for me in the car. Party poopers.We made a quick stop at the small town of Opononi on the south side of Hokianga Harbor. Beautiful.We hiked to the end of Southhead, the southern point of Hokianga Harbor. More stunning views.A view from Southhead back towards the towns of Ompere and OpononiA view across to NorthheadA stunning beach on the Tasman SeaA view back up the harborWe finally made it to Waipoua ForestTane MahutaFour Sisters The campground at Waipoua ForestA stream ran right behind the campground
Email to family and friends dated January 11, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Another short road trip
We are heading out this morning on another road trip, this time to the Waipoua Forest where the largest Kauri tree stands. And supposedly there’s some nice short hikes there. In my last email after we got back from the previous road trip I mentioned that Tim went out spearfishing with a local guy, so I wanted to report that it was a highly successful day and Tim came back with a 42 pound Kingfish (we know them as Yellowtail). We gave some away then had a sushi feast with our friends on another kid boat, s/v Lumbaz, and we still have a freezer packed full of fish. We will be doing some cruising up north once Iguana gets back from their road trip in a few days, so Tim is on a fishing ban until then. 🙂 Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – January 12, 2015 (Opua – Roadtrip Waipoua Forest)
Daily Notes
Labyrinth woodworking. “The Village Green”
Back to Opua
One more visit to the stream at teh Waipoua campgroundOn our way back, the boys made it clear they were hiked out. So, we stopped at this little game and woodworking store, and they had a maze game to play. You had to walk through the maze to find 15 letters and then unscramble the letters. Not as exciting as the Sand Dunes on the previous trip, but they appreciated not having to hike again.And there was a peacock that Brenden kept calling a Chicken.
This time we anchored on the South side of Paradise BayThese next two photos are taken of rock formations near the Kawiti Glowworm CavesThese next two photos are of the famous public toilets in Kawakawa
Logbook – Tuesday December 30, 2014 (Paradise Bay)
Daily Log
T – 2x scallop diving. B in the dinghy the 2nd time
D – sick 😦
Brenden building his tin can robot (Thanks Grandma!)
Matauwhi Bay is not the main harbor for Russell, but it has more room for anchoring, and it’s under a one km walk to town.
Logbook – Tuesday December 23, 2014 (Opua to Matauwhi Bay)
Passage Log
1555 Engines on
1720 Arrive Russell (1)
Daily Notes
(1) by way of fuel dock – filled water tank
Dinner @ Hone’s Pizzeria in Russell. Cute town. Mulberry trees and community veggie garden. Bathroom combo C1492
Cheers! Happy to be in Russel.Hey look, The Strand!Brenden in the community gardenA blooming artichoke
Logbook – Wednesday December 24, 2014 (Matauwhi Bay)
Daily Notes
Xmas eve – hike cancelled due to gloomy weather. Game day & lunch on s/v Field Trip. Lots of fun.
Walk aroun dtown.
Pizzas and ice cream sundaes
Game day on s/v Field Trip on Christmas Eve day.Picking mulberriesAdmiring the old treeA look back at the Russell Boating Club from shoreA look back at the Russell Boating Club from shoreYes, Brenden’s did touch the ceilingIs it pizza dough or play-doughFinished off the evening with ice cream sundaesWhy is Eeyore scared?
Email to family and friends dated December 24, 2014
Subject: Exodus – Merry Xmas Eve
We’ve moved a few miles to the town of Russell, and yesterday evening we went ashore and had a great dinner in this cute little town. At the dinghy dock we met a local guy who gave us the combo to the showers at the “Russell Boating Club” and who pointed us to the mulberry bush and the community garden nearby, and the boys had a lot of fun picking and eating mulberries on the way into town. Russell seems smaller and less in your face touristy than Paihia, and they call their malecon “The Strand” so I love that I get to go running on The Strand again. We had planned a day of hiking today with our friends on another kid boat called Field Trip, but it’s gray and drizzly, so we may pass on that and just play games or something. We will be missing all of you fiercely this Christmas season. -D.
Logbook – Thursday December 25, 2014 (Matauwhi Bay)
Daily Notes
Merry xmas! Presents, breakfast crepes, on shore playing soccer & paddle board with Field Trip
D – run on strand
NZ Monopoly w/ Field Trip kids
Ham, Mashed potatoes, green beans for xmas dinner
Brenden was awake first on Christmas morningNew Zealand MonopolySunset on Christmas
Logbook – Friday December 26, 2014 (Matauwhi Bay)
Daily Notes
Heritage Trail #2 – Flagstaff & Tapeka
Dinner on Exodus with Filed Trip. Trivial Pursuit
We went on a family hike, and first stop was Maiki Hill and the Flagstaff. No flag flying that day.A view of Kororareka Bay (the main Russell Harbor) and Matauwhi Bay is in the backgroundSecond stop, a beach on the Tapeka Peninsula. Lots of Kiwis out having a nice family day at the beach
While the boys stayed at the beach, Tim and I went up Tapeka Track. The sign says it’s a 1 hr hike but we nailed it in 7 minutes up and 6 minutes down.A view of the beach where we left the boysAlmost back to Russell, a view of the wharf
Email to family and friends dated December 26, 2014
Subject: Exodus – Merry Christmas
We are still in Russell and we had a nice, relaxed, low key Christmas yesterday. The boys are too old to wake up super early to see what Santa brought them so at about 9:00 they rolled out of bed and joined me in the salon. We opened a few presents (seriously, only a few, we keep Christmas light these days. You don’t need a lot of stuff when you live on a boat.) Then we had dessert crepes for breakfast and just lounged around. It was a gray and dreary day, but we still made it to shore in the afternoon and I went for a run on the strand and the boys played soccer and paddle board with the s/v Field Trip gang. Then all the kids came back to Exodus to play some New Zealand Monopoly. We had ham, mashed potatoes, and green beans for our Christmas dinner, and it was my first ham, so we were all relieved it turned out well. I know today is Christmas for most of you, so I hope you are having a wonderful day, and we miss you all. Love, -D.
Logbook – Saturday December 27, 2014 (Matauwhi Bay)
Daily Notes
Rainy day. Nobody left the boat.
Yogurt & bread making
Logbook – Sunday December 28, 2014 (Matauwhi Bay)
Daily Notes
Boys play paddle board on shore
D – walk around town
Happy hour at brew co w/ Field Trip
Views of Russell from out on the wharfHey, nice to see the sun again
Gresham Family Exodus 