North of the North - Part 2

 I was eagerly awaiting the Fullers Hole in the Rock cruise.  It was just a short 5 minute walk from the hotel down to the wharf.  There was our boat ready  and waiting for us.  We were advised to take warm clothes, water, sun block and a sun hat.  There was no hat in my luggage but I ticked off all the other requirements.  

Waiting for our next adventure

I opted to sit inside the cabin, while a group of hardier folks settled down in the open at the top of the boat.  That would have been much too cold and windy for me.  I has a window seat, couldn't be better.  The captain gave us a running commentary, so I peeked around the corner to snap his photo.

He is very high up there

We skirted past Russell, the former Hell Hole of the Pacific, which was a base for the whaling industry in the 1830s.  Then on past several of the islands, reaching open sea as we headed towards Cape Brett Peninsular to catch a glimpse of Cape Brett Lighthouse.  The lighthouse was barged up the coast and winched into place, what a job that must have been.  Lighthouse keepers lived here from 1910 to 1978 when a new automated lighthouse went into service.

Cape Brett Lighthouse

Then we traveled to the end of the Cape to Motukokako, which Captain Cook named Piercy  Island.  It is commonly known as the "Hole in the Rock", due to the impressive 18 metre (60 foot) passage running through the island at one end.  Good news, the captain informed us, the calm conditions will allow us to take the boat though the hole.  And he did, in and out, and turning around inside, such fun.

The Hole in the Rock

Leaving the Hole in the Rock we came across a huge number of sea birds in a feeding frenzy so we slowed down to get a good look.  They were mainly Shearwaters we were told, feeding on a large shoal of fish.  The birds weren't at all bothered by the boat, they had their minds set on one thing, getting as many of those fish as they could!

Shearwaters in a feeding frenzy

Our trip included a BBQ lunch at Otehei Bay, on Urupukapuka Island.  Otehei Bay is famous for being 

the home of the Sporting Club, established after author Zane Grey visited the island in 1927.

Our lunch was served in a light airy building, hot meat and salads, very tasty indeed.  I decided I really needed a hot coffee to finish after my time on the high seas, so queued up to order one.  

The cafe

It was such a lovely day and plenty of time to spare so everyone headed outside to relax.  Family groups pounced on the selection of bean bags available and dragged them down to the water's edge.  I made use of the comfy seating on the verandah.

Boarding the boat once again, it was a short trip  back to Paihia.  What an exciting day.  But is wasn't over, we were dining that evening at Zane Grey's Restaurant, on the water's edge at Paihia.  Zane Grey was really impressed by the area and  and wrote his book "Tales of the Anglers Eldorado, New Zealand", about the deep sea fishing available here.  He certainly put Paihia on the map.

Zane Grey's Restaurant

Of course, I had to have fish didn't I.  Beer battered fish and chips, and a chocolate mud cake for dessert.  It was a great finale to a fabulous day.