Goat Island isn’t so much of an island, per se, as it is a large rock off the east coast of Northland in New Zealand. But it shelters an area of the marine reserve and provides ideal conditions for a gorgeous reef and abundant marine life. We wanted to do some snorkeling here back in February and March when we traveled through Northland, but not having a car at that point made it a bit harder to accomplish. (more…)

I’m not sure there are too many other places in the world where a public bathroom is considered a tourist attraction. But the Hundertwasser Toilets have put Kawakawa, New Zealand on the map!

To make sure we didn’t miss seeing them on our way to our next host, we bought bus tickets from Kawakawa and decided to hitch there from our hostel in Paihia. (more…)

Well, check this off the bucket list. We actually swam with wild dolphins in open water!

After our stay in Kerikeri, our host dropped us in Paihia at a great little hostel called The Pickled Parrot. (more…)

You might remember that we met a couple in Kerikeri after I got stung by a wasp. (If you don’t recall, the story is here.)

Well, we came back to stay with Dave & Kirsten and their baby Hugh to help with marketing for their business–Head to Toe Natural Health Clinic. (more…)

We were able to take a day off from working on the farm for a tour up to Cape Reinga to see the Tasman Sea collide with the Pacific Ocean. It’s actually not the northern most tip of the island, as might be expected.

Our hosts connected us with a local tour bus company so we could see other sites along the way. We started by driving north on 90 Mile Beach (on the west coast). Yep-the tour bus drove on the beach. That’s how hard and compacted the sand is. (more…)

We spent 10 marvelous days at Pohutu Springs with Karl and Cheryl.

Karl built this farmhouse himself when they moved to this area about 5 years ago. (more…)

I only recently had a chance to put together this little video slideshow of our hike at the beautiful Bream Head Scenic Reserve and wanted to share it.

Enjoy!

I’ve been walking around with an ice pack on my hand all day.

But before I explain why, I should start from the beginning of the story. (Where all good stories should begin.)

After our stay in Mangapai with Grant & Louisa, we traveled north to Kerikeri Yoga Centre with Louisa to help her in the gardens there and take some yoga classes. We arrived early Thursday morning to this beautiful building: (more…)

We couldn’t have mail ordered a nicer day for going to the beach and hiking at the Bream Head Scenic Reserve.

We walked along the beach with Grant, Louisa, Finn, & Charlie Rose. (more…)

The past 2 weeks have been spent in Mangapai (just south of Whangarei in Northland) with Grant and Louisa and their kids. (more…)