Back from Holiday

January is the holiday season for the Southern Hemisphere. So I crossed the Tasman again, this time to spend almost 12 days mainly in Northland, at the top of the North Island of New Zealand. This is where the Bay of Islands draws hordes of tourists to enjoy tranquil scenery, water sports and huge numbers of almost pristine bays and islands, under a warm sun. I visited Waitangi, home of the Treaty House, Maori Canoe,wondeful Maori Carvings as well as the Treaty of Waitangi which gave England the right to settle in New Zealand and "protect" the Maoris from invaders.
From there I went to Kaitaia and a great day trip to Cape Reinga. This is almost the northernmost tip of NZ where the Tasman Sea meets the mighty Pacific Ocean. Often windy, it was a perfect day to view the cliffs and azure sea (and try to catch sight of the Maori spirits leaving to find Hawaiki). The best way to do this is via Coach Tours which take the visitor up Ninety Mile beach on the sand, throw in sand dune tobogganing time and a visit to a Kauri Museum and shop. Trip is well worth it especially since no insurance company will cover any car on 90 mile beach.
Then down through the west coast of Northland through the great Kauri forest of Waipoua to meet with Tane Mahuta (giant Kauri tree).
Holiday over, now I am home again to the dry plains of Melbourne. Once home, Melbourne turned its hottest 3 days on record, with temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius on 3 days.
Thank god for the newly installed ceiling fans!! A life saver in those conditions.
Time for another holiday to escape the heat!