Day 21 & 22 Kerikeri, Ngawha Mineral Springs and Opononi

Thursday was mostly spent getting ready to get back in the campervan.  We moved most of what we could from the resort and prepared the rest for the morning.  As we are going to the west side of the island where there is a lack of larger centers we thought we had better do a grocery shop.  So we headed to Kerikeri and a major shop, well as major as one can do in a campervan.

The best part was stopping for lunch and I had another one of my favorite lunches.  Meat pies.  This time I had buttered chicken and it was just as good as any I have had.  I also bought an almond croissant to go but somehow at lunch it went, so I had to buy another one to take with us.

Then we couldn't leave well enough alone and stopped at the chocolate factory on the way out of town.  We were pretty good and only bought a little box of Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch.               

We did a little more prep, did a little blogging, ate supper and read until it was time to go to bed.  Tomorrow we head out once again but this time in the newer campervan.

Friday was a little overcast but the temperature is warming up.  We got away fairly early but had to stop for a latte and hot chocolate on the way out of town.  It was our last look at the Bay of Islands.

We left Kerikeri vai Hwy 10 and followed it to Hwy 1 where we turned south and then west on Hwy 12.  Our first stop was at Ngawha Mineral Springs where they have about 12 different pools, all natural.  The temperatures for the different pools run at a low of 31 degrees to a high of 48 degrees Centigrade.  We ended up going to the pool named Solomon which was around 41 degrees.  The pools and area did not look all that good but we jumped in anyway.



Ngawha Mineal Springs


















 














It was very relaxing and is said to be very healthy for you.  I sure hope so because we are going to have a mineral sulfur stink on us for about a week.  Its' a good thing we both went in.  We left Ngawha and got back on Hwy 12 which would lead us to Opononi, a small town situated at the head of Hokianga Harbor.

The drive over was very nice as were travelling through farm land with rolling hills that were very green. 

It was definitely a passengers ride as the road was topsy, turvy and commanded your complete attention. I think I have finally realized that all the roads were going to be like this.  One thing that I definitely had to look out for was the one lane bridges.  You don't see them all that often on the state highways but there are some.  When approaching one you have to make sure you read the sign right to see who has the right of way. 

No Right Of Away this time.



Once that was determined then you proceeded accordingly, unless of course there is a train.  Trains always get the right of way.  No kidding.

Just a little narrow

However we did make it to Opononi and it was easy to spot as we started to get close.  You could see the large sand dunes rising up like little mountains.  This part of the coast is one big sand dune. 



You can see the sand dunes in the distance




A little closer view

 

We checked into our campsite and got settled in.  We were here early enough to enjoy the view from our campsite for awhile. 



View from Campsite




View from Campsite




Entrance to Hokianga Harbor



We finally got moving, had supper and relaxed for a period before heading to bed.  The weather is threatening to get considerably better so we are looking forward to our three nights here.