Our continuing journey down from the very top is taking us along the east coast and up into the Karikari peninsula.

Tokerau Beach – We stop at Tokerau Beach. After checking in to the camp site, we hoof it up the hill for fish and chips – it is Friday after all! What a fab evening we had. After our dinner, we went for a beer in the Tuatua Tavern Karikari Peninsula https://www.facebook.com/TuatuaTavern/ What a fun place! It was very busy, and the lady behind the bar was lovely. They were drawing the winning ticket for a competition they run and asked me to pick a ticket from the bucket! No pressure! I had a long chat with the publican. Lovely place.

Maitai Bay – After leaving Tokerau Bay, we returned to one of our favourite places from our first trip in a van ten years ago. Maitai Bay – It is still as lovely as it was then. We didn’t swim this time around as it is still a wee bit chilly. This is a double bay – which one to choose??? We have a walk on the beach and discover hundreds of little clams sitting just under the surface of the sand. When the waves wash over, they become exposed and you see all of these little clams lips poking up through the sand! There are lots of pukekos here, they do look silly when they run!

Karikari Beach – I’d forgotten the sand dunes you need to cross to get to the beach here. Soft fine sand hills are not easy to climb – in either direction but oh boy what a thrill once you do make it to the top. A white sandy bay that seems to stretch for miles. It is overcast with some angry looking clouds in the distance but it still looks stunning.

We stop for a coffee at Salty Brew Coffee on the way down the peninsular https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100094589670910 oh my goodness! What a fantastic flat white we had made by Liam. We have a lovely chat with him while having our coffee. Do visit if you are ever out this way.

Rotopokaka Lake – also known as Coca Cola Lake because of it’s colour. It is a bit hard to tell from the photos but really is the colour of Coke.