Up to the very top we go. We can go no further north. Cape Reinga is the most northerly point in New Zealand. With an imposing lighthouse and the obligatory signpost, it is a wonderous place. Wonderous because here, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet with a crashing and swirling of waters. According to Māori legend, it is also the place where the spirits of the dead leave Aotearoa for their final voyage to their ancestral home of Hawaiki. It is here, where a lonely Pohutukawa tree leans over a rocky outcrop. Said to be over 800 years old, this is the place where the spirits depart for the next world. I love this tree and was so glad to see it again.

Tapotupotu Bay – we travel a little way down the coast and camp at this gorgeous bay. We camped very close to the beach. Just delightful.

Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) – A little further along the coast and we camp at Spirits Bay. We have a quiet walk on the beach.

Rarawa Beach – WOW! The sand on this beach is WHITE! Thank goodness that it is overcast or else we’d both be squinting as we wandered along the beach. Not only is it white, it is so fine. We find some bluebottle jellyfish and a huge number of very shiny shells as well as some sea sponges. What a lovely treasure trove!