Nov 5th :Northland Exposure - Bay of Islands (Day 1)

Started off on a slightly rainy day(weather forecast had been mildly warm) and i almost missed my early shuttle Magic Bus (The tour operator) by 5 minutes only then realizing the stark difference between India and NZ, here even Buses operate by the minute; luckily the staff was very helpful and they directed me to the nearby pick-up point.
Itenary of the day -
7.15 Am - Start the tour with our knowledgeble bus driver, who doubled up as the guide offering us immense knowledge about the places, local customs and also having intermittent quizzes (lest we sleep off ignoring the beatitude of the countryside). We crossed the Auckland Harbor bridge for a early morning break @ Sheep-world
9.45 AM - SHEEPWORLD, Decent break-fast (veg roll or sandwich) and coffee ($3.5) being my savior. It has a nearby shop which sells any wool related items and displays and also a park ($10) which can be ignored.

12.45 - Reach @ Pahia Harbour
The first thing that strikes you is the quaint sea-side village (much akin to the gauls). In fact Pahia is the first center of European Settlement in NZ (shall be talking later about another island called RUSSEL) and is known as the "Jewel of the Bay of islands". Refer to the ISite prominent in the harbour for details regarding Dolphin Cruise, Hole in the Rock, Swimming, Kayaking, et all.

1.45 -Hole in the ROCK
Around this time we started off in KINGS ferry (bookings and ferries are right beside the iSite) for a 2 hour journey @ Jet nautical speed (caution : Lighter the breakfast the better) across the sea for one of the most magnificient scenes of Nature, such as the Robinson's island.
We also had Dolphin sighting and had a chance to see them showing off their skills up close and personal for almost half hour mid-way.



And then we were all delighted as kindergarden kids when the final cynosure of all eyes, the "HOLE in the ROCK" arrived in the mid-sea; it is basically an volcanic or seismic jutting which has a huge hole right in it's center caused (argubly so) by the waves. But believe me, once u set your eyes upon this sculpture of Nature you would rather be awed by the spectacle rather than analyze the creation of it .




As i would say, the pictures here do not / cannot capture the serene nature of the HOLE in the ROCK which is encapslated when u see it all alone right in the tempest of the sea, unbridled and unaffected. And the best part is that it was one of the marvellous sights of Pahia.. just can't wait for the rest.
(Tip: if you travel via FULLERs then there is a possibility that your trip to RUSSEL would be complementary)
5.30 PM - Return to YHA (Bay adventurers)
One of the most essential elements for any back-packers are the youth-hostels which are in plenty in NZ, with prices ranging from 25 $ for a Dorm bed till $50 for a room these are the essential meeting grounds for travellers all around the world. The facilities for this amount includes access to Kitchen(fully furnished with micro-wave), video & Book library, free Bicycles & Kayaks and friendly people who help you plan out your activities Free of cost. Added to these, these rooms are spick and span and the beds are really a royal treatment.
After the once-in-a-lifetime view of Hole in the Rock, you just can't help it getting back to the dorm and sleeping off in glory, especially when rains affect your bike ride to Oaha Trails
7.00 PM - prepare Dinner for self in the kitchen, watch a movie or two and then check out the streets of Pahia.