Honeymoon: Mangonui, New Zealand

Travel Dates: December 1, 2012 to December 2, 2012

Upon landing in the main AKL airport in Auckland, New Zealand, we headed north to later head back south. I'm not sure what possessed us to think that we could drive almost 700 miles in the course of our 6-day stay, but it did not help that we had about a 24-hour transit time between Papeete and Auckland with barely any sleep and then landed to find out the car rental company we booked could not find our pre-reserved car. I blame "losing steam" (as well as logic) while planning our honeymoon. However, despite blips such as lost car rental records, not having a cell phone as we traveled unknown terrain, dyslexic shock over having to drive on the opposite side of the car/road, food poisoning and a fever that knocked out Tung for a good 24 hours, and the constant rain whenever we passed through Auckland, we managed to do, see, and experience some amazing things.

Our rough route, 1,089 kilometers, or 676 miles of driving

This giant statue greeted us at the AKL Airport

 So...you drive on the right side of the car and stay on the left side of the road, also exiting on the left with the left-most as the slowest traffic lane, and your turn signals are on the right side of the steering wheel while your windshield wipers are on the left. Right, got it.

Tung concentrates, serious about this New Zealand driving adjustment

 I found it amusing that even the car tunnels were built like hobbit holes.

Heading up north to Mangonui where our first hotel was booked, the main road was closed due to some traffic accident or a landslide. We were directed around traffic and had to take this unpaved road to get back onto the main highway. Kinda reminds you of Viet Nam, just with less honking.

One of the towns we passed by offered a train ride as a sightseeing tour.

This is the famous "Hundertwasser Public Toilet," made from the community's recycled old glass bottles and reclaimed bricks.

Tung allowed me to sleep for 10 minutes before continuing the almost non-stop drive up to the north tip of the North Island. Boy, was I glad when we finally arrived at our Acacia Lodge, a quaint little motel with a jacuzzi in each room. We found this town to be endearing and its hosts sincere. In the "winterless north," the weather was beautiful, with a soft breeze coming in from the calm water.

View of the pier from our second-story room

Enjoying a stroll around Historic Mangonui

In the evening after a much-needed power nap, we toured the region of Doubtless Bay. If I had to pick a place to live based on our travels in New Zealand, I'd settle in Mangonui. Our lodge was walking distance to a charming little village with restaurants offering delicious foods and even a little grocery store.

Mangonui is known for its "fush-n-chups"

The Mangonui War Memorial, in commemoration of the end of WWI on Armistice Day

On our trip south, we stopped by a few picturesque places to enjoy the scenery. First stop was Matauri Bay, with waters vieing French Polynesia in their turquoise beauty.

The beach "entrance" to Matauri Bay

The "sand" consists of broken shells. Reef shoes would be good here if you're aching for a swim.

 We bought sandwiches at a cafe called Baker's Man back in Doubtless Bay and had a lovely little picnic on the bay. What a feast for the palate and eyes.

Giant pine cone that thankfully did not konk us on the head and knock us out as we picnicked

 A gravel trail leads the way up to a hill, where you get even more spectacular sights of the bay.

On top of the trail is the Rainbow Warrior, built to commemorate the first act of terrorism by the French on New Zealand soil.

We wouldn't mind doing another round of "engagement photos" around Matauri Bay

Tung enjoying the view

 Next stop was Rainbow Falls, an easy-to-get-to, easy-to-hike-to waterfall.

At one Scenic Viewpoint, you can look down from atop the falls and see the trusty rainbow that appears at the perfect point where sunlight shines through a mist of water.

At the Falls

A relaxing stroll through the woods

Having a cool dip in the pool before trekking south

Mangonui Takeaways:

• Rent a car and also a GPS unit to better find your way around the island. Seeing the island on your own would definitely be more economical than booking tours.
• New Zealanders are very healthy, so you will only find fresh food everywhere you go, not like the US's obsession over dousing everything in high-fructose corn syrup. Even gas station "fast food" will be cooked to order, so be prepared to wait after your order a simple "Number 1" from the menu. 
• Most New Zealanders are very friendly, so don't be afraid to approach them if you get lost or need to ask questions. 
• If you are dining out and need napkins, don't ask for "napkins." They call them "servilletes" there--I think napkins refer to feminine napkins.
• Don't as for fabric softener/dryer sheets when you need to do your laundry. New Zealanders do not use dryer sheets--they don't exist here. However, the climate is usually humid enough not to create static electricity on your clothes.
• The "bonnet" and "boot" of the car refers to the hood and trunk.
• Car detailing/cleaning is called "car grooming."
• "To-go" is called "takeaway," and "for-here" is called "dine-in."
• I used this tour guide for the trip to New Zealand:

http://www.amazon.com/FRENZY-North-Island-New-Zealand/dp/0979923239/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355876615&sr=1-2&keywords=scott+cook+new+zealand
Written by Scott Cook to show tourists the less-traveled roads and attractions, it's a little more for the adventurous, but definitely has great recommendations for must-see places.