Behind the Leaves

The next stop was the northernmost point in this country. We left early in our “waka” and first stopped on the large ninety mile beach to have a look and to have some mussels for breakfast. So ready we went up a river with our waka and warriors as we are, we shouted the newly learned haka on our way up a river. Then we stopped and couldn’t resist the temptation to ride down boards on the big sand dunes.  Finally we reached our goal Te Rerenga Wairua ( Cape Reinga ). Who knows what sprits joined as on their way to the afterlife to jump of the Pōhutukawa tree to reach their destination? After some minutes we went back and visited the Kauri Kingdom again where they sell beautiful products made of conserved Kauri trees in the swamps.

Next place our trusted carriage (did I mention the horrible butter smell?) brought us was Northland. To be exact the town was called Omapere. There we again bowed to the tears of Ranginui and spend the remaining time of the day inside. At least we had time for some games. The next day Bernd and I went early for a walk through the forest to a waterfall. Again heavy rain drenched us to the skin and we stopped on our way out of the forest in a lovely shop. The shop was packed to the roof with all different kind of riddles and riddle games. I still haven’t any clue with the one Bernd had. Lifting the top of a small round metal cylinder can’t be that hard, can it? On our way back the roads were under water and the worst thing happened, we couldn’t drive on. First we got some help of an American who helped us to push it from the road and he told us, just to let it dry out. That we did and then we could drive for some minutes but then we were stuck again. Bernd went home to get some help and I waited. Some time later an older man helped me and we tried to drive again (he gave us a new battery). Sadly it didn’t work and when Bernd came back we waited for a member of the AA (sowas wie ADAC). Then he came dried us and we could go on again. Then on the next day we finally managed it. We went into the Waipoua forest. There you could feel the Mana the life force surrounding us as we approached the sacred ground and finally stood in awe before Tane Mahuta, the physical representation of the great god Tane. Unbelievable it was standing before one of the biggest trees in the world. After some time we parted from the magical view and went to Te Matua Ngahere, the father of the forest. It is perhaps the biggest tree if you measure the circumference. We also visited the Yakas, the 7^th largest Kauri tree and perhaps there you can see how big these trees are, as we could stand next to him, what we weren’t allowed before. Hours past in this forest like minutes and it was one of the most impressive moments on my visit in this lands. So you probably understand that Stefanie and I went again in the forest at night in the company of a small group and two Maori guides. There we traveled the same paths as in the morning, but this time the stars guided our way. This time we also started probably and showed our respect to Tane with a small prayer. Then we went in the forest and were told about Maori herbal law and the growing of the trees.

In the evening we were back in Auckland and said good bye to Jessica. At least we will all meet again not later than in a year….