Hi y'all,
We have a very special day today that has been 6 years in the planning. We had this scheduled in 2020 as our highlight of that trip. We are in the Bay of Islands. It is so special, there are 144 islands. Some are tiny and others are large and are populated, some are private owned by the rich, and some having just a few families on them. It's just stunning.
First we tendered in from the ship and took a shuttle into the town. We wished we had more time before our boat trip as the town was just idyllic. But we had just enough time to get a fish and chips picnic to take with us. It was a 3 1/2 hour tour of the islands with snorkling and paddle boats.
Chris : The little town was really cool, it looked like something out of a movie but really most of New Zealand does. We really wished we had more time but we did get food and a beer after the boat ride and got in a bit of t-shirt and trinkets shopping so it was good.
But man, Rhonda is right , it was just so beautiful, the blue green water looked fake. It was so clear and beautiful. Many of the islands are mostly rock jutting up out of the sea and the beautiful blue water turned to white foam as the waves crashed into them. As the foam spread out and dissipated it turned a deep green color before it mixed with the other water and turned back to blue but then the process repeated over and over. It was so incredible. There is just no way to describe the natural beauty we saw today. I feel like we have said that a lot this trip but it's true. New Zealand is just that beautiful.
Rhonda: The first island we anchored at was one Captain Cook discovered and named .
Actually he "discovered all this area" except the Marori people already lived here.
Island two ( that's its real name)
Is owned by two very wealthy families and the homes are outrageous only to be topped by the golf cart tunnel through a rock outcrop to reach his yacht.
Then we anchored at the deserted island beach where we had 2 hours to snorkel, paddle board , nap under the trees or just swim. The water was ice cold but I did get in and play. Chris choose the shade. It was so beautiful that we just relaxed and soaked it in.
Our guide gathered sea urchin and explained them to us and cut them open so we could taste them. Delicious! Much like raw oysters.
That part of the day was great but then we got back to the dock just in time to have a quick beer and go meet our HELICOPTER!
Chris: I'll never forget, five years ago I was banging around on the internet looking at things to do on our New Zealand cruise and I stumbled upon Salt Air, scenic flights over the Bay of Islands, one of which was a helicopter flight out to the Hole in the Rock island, an island jutting up a thousand feet or so out of the bay and featuring a formation with a hole in the rock big enough for a fair sized small boat, if that makes sense, to pass thru.
The helicopter lands on the very top, on a wooden deck that looks like something in your back yard where the grill would go. I was fascinated. I sent the link to Rhonda and said, is there any way you would consider doing this when we are in New Zealand ? I was sure there would be at least some hesitation on her part if not down right , oh hell no but I should have known, the girl is game to go and always up for an adventure. She immediately replied, "that looks amazing, I'll book it now !"
It was to be the last thing we did on the last day of our trip. What an amazing finish it was going to be but, as is the case for all of us, so many plans didn't materialize in 2020 and beyond. But we certainly didn't forget and I watched the video on the Salt Air site countless times. As soon as we booked the cruise we booked the helicopter flight, again. And again this time, it was scheduled as the grand finale, the last thing we would do on the last day of the cruise.
But unlike 2020, this time we did it, we really f&!$ing did it !! And it was fabulous beyond our wildest expectations and our expectations were pretty high !
We took off from the waters edge in the middle of the picturesque little town and out and up over the Bay of Islands. It was instantly incredible and beautiful. We were on a small helicopter, it only had three passenger seats. I sat next to the pilot and Rhonda sat behind me. It was wonderful that it was just us and the pilot. I leaned to the side a bit so Rhonda's view from the back seat was as good as mine out the front of the helicopter. The entire front was a glass bubble so our views were absolutely unlimited. We were in awe, it was such a pinch me look where we are moment.
Rhonda: There was a crowd around the fence watching us take off. We were practically Taylor and Kelse! We waived to our admiring fans and hopped on board. It's like you are a bird just floating with the wind. The Hole In the Rock is pretty far out so we had a good 20 minutes to sightsee and then we circled it and then gently set down on the very top. Incredible. We got out and the pilot led us through the rain forest ( which seriously looked fake it was so beautiful and lush), to a rock formation where we could see all of the islands! Oh. My . God. Y'all. Chris and I have done a LOT of adventures and seen sights that were invaluable. But this. It bought tears to my eyes I was so moved by its beauty.
Chris: The landing on the top was really cool. The platform looked so small and we seemed to be coming in hot ! I was thinking, Dude, slow this thing down ! There were trees and stone all around and just the one little backyard wooden deck but the pilot did slow to a hover just above the deck and sat us down perfectly. We were on the top of Motu Kokako, the hole in the rock.
Rhonda: Not a lot of people in the world have been where we stood. The pilot told us that even though the Māori family that owns the island gave them permission to land there, not many tourist pay the extra ( hefty) fee to do it and that he is excited to be there too. The landing is mostly used for scientist to do research. We certainly felt special and thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Happy Valentines to my forever, my best friend, the best travel partner and the love of my life. I would not have done it without you and I am so glad we saw that together.
This is getting long so I will save the dinner we had on the boat to tell you tomorrow.
Love y'all.
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