New Zealand – North Island
After a 5-hour flight from Tahiti we landed in Aukland, New Zealand. We enjoyed a lunch with Goshen friends Paul and Kathy and then headed to Tauranga in our rental car. Our hosts there treated us to a wonderful breakfast the next morning and also a brief introduction to their town and waterfront. Then it was on to Opitiki for a night before continuing along the Eastern Cape to Tolaga Bay where we spent 2 nights. Our hosts there took us fishing and sightseeing by boat and also gave us suggestions for additional hiking in the area. From there we proceeded via Gisborne to Turangi at the south end of Lake Taupo. We hoped to do an all-day “alpine crossing” in Tongariro National Park but had to cancel that due to severe rain and gale force winds in the mountains. Instead we enjoyed a river walk in Turangi in light drizzle!
