In den Norden: Matapouri, Tutukaka, Whangarei

Fantastic! We drove about 200 km north of Auckland to a small beach, Whale Bay in Matapouri. Small parking lot on the side of the road high above the coast, few cars, inconspicuous access to a path in the forest - it was incredibly beautiful! The approximately 15 minute walk to the bay rewarded us with views and impressions that we will not soon forget. Fantastic is almost an understatement.

Shortly beforehand we took a short break at a small harbor in Tutukaka, with absolutely nothing going on except a few older gentlemen who were probably spending their retirement sitting in a small harbor cafe and enjoying their time. In 20 years I'll be sitting there too!

Oh well: we'll continue traveling just the two of us, I'll take the child to the airport. Why? Indiana Pitti with the small harbor in mind and Whale Bay in mind with the following question to the group: "Whether whales are still hunted here?" - Answer child: "Then you shouldn't go into the water."...I booked the return flight for him straight away and gave him notice of his room at home because of personal use - you raise them for years and then they get cheeky!

On the way back in Whangarei a building planned by Friedensreich Hundertwasser was discovered. The Austrian Hundertwasser was also a New Zealand citizen from 1989, lived in the Whangarei region and is buried there on his farm in the cemetery of the "happy people" - a worthy place for his grave given such a natural backdrop.

Waterfall in Whangarei...local children swimming in the river and jumping into the water from the mangrove trees - funny.

On the way back we got a great view of the city skyline from the Auckland Harbor Bridge - it was an incredible day!

Addendum: we now have a windshield wiper instead of a turn signal counter...so because of the turn signal lever on the right of the steering wheel...the so-called windshield wiper instead of a turn signal counter: 34 times by this morning😂

coming soon

PIDISI