New Zealand’s Big Five (CNS 1301)

No, we don’t mean Kiwi, Kea, Weka, Pukeko and Tui, even though these are five bird species that are endemic to New Zealand. We’re talking fun sports here, and the NZ Big Five are Bungy, jet boat, helicopter, quad and jet ski. Some people in the group managed to check the final two of the NZBF off their bucket lists here in Northland, they rode the sand dunes off Ninety Mile Beach yesterday and the waters of the Bay of Islands today. It was a blast, heaps of fun as a real New Zealander would say.

Check out these pics:

One of the most stunning highlights of the North Island Extension is the Kauri forest. The presence of these ancient giants silenced even the chattiest people (read: Mexicans ) for a moment. A short moment…

The happy group of 10, marvelling at the “Father of the Forest”

tree hugger Carlos

The “Lord of the Forest” is the largest living Kauri in New Zealand

It takes a wide-angle lens or some physical fitness to take a picture of this amazing tree.

The group also made it to the very top of the country, Cape Reinga, a place of enormous mythical importance to the Maori. For them it is literally the end of the world, for us it was a place of outstanding natural beauty.

Cape Reinga, where Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet.

The famous lighthouse on the cape.

Sebastian, having fun on Ripiro Beach