New Zealand - Hokianga

Our itinerary this day was to first find the small branch in Opononi. With the 8 of us we helped to boost their numbers to 45 in attendance that day.  Everyone was very welcoming and loving.

Just down the road were these gorgeous poppies with swarms of bees around. I don't think they were impressed with my nosing around but I had to get a couple pictures.

The Hokianga sand dunes were our next stop. We took a small tin boat ride across the bay to the gorgeous sand. The colors were so incredibly vibrant here. Bright blue skies, green and turquoise waters and bright yellow sand dunes.

 Loading onto the boat and a view of the dunes from across the bay

 On our ride over

On arrival we hiked straight to the top of the steep dunes.

It wasn't long before everyone was up and down the hill over and over again. It was so much fun to see Joseph and Rachael take to the steep hill. What a blast!

Mama even had a go.

After a few hours secluded on the dunes we took the boat back to the mainland and partook of some of the best fish, chips and crab sticks ever. They had everything going for them, food, location and view. It was asked which fish they use and we were told the Blue Wharehou. Yum!

On our way to Waipoua Forest we quickly stopped off at the lookout viewing Hokianga bay and sand dunes.

The Waipoua Forest was a beautiful drive. 

The pictures below are of an ancient tree called Tane Mahuta. It's age is estimated from between 1250 and 2500 years. It is the largest known Kauri tree still standing today and the most famous tree in New Zealand. These pictures do not do it's size justice.

If you look closely at the picture below you can see the tiny figures standing at the base of the tree. That's Aaron, Pops and the kids. It gives a bit more perspective to the actual size of the tree.
The trunk girth is 45 feet and total height is 168 feet. Such an amazing thing to see.

Another small hike through the rainforest to the 4 sisters. These 4 trees have all grown from 4 seeds from the same tree and have coexisted for 500 years. 

Our last stop before the day was over was at the Ngawha Springs (mud pools). The sulfur smell was quite strong but the baths were very relaxing. 

Literally 'mud pools', we had a good laugh when we first spotted Aaron and Pop's in the first pool. It looked like their heads were floating as the pools are so thick and dark. Sounds gross but it was really quite nice. Each pool had a different temperature and different natural healing components. 

The kids loved it, even Rebecca. 

It really was a fantastic day, everyone remarked at some point saying this was their favorite day in New Zealand. 

It sure did top the charts.