Bay of Islands

We headed out of Mangawhai heads after a long cliff walk to continue our journey north to our next destination of Bay of Islands. Now bay of islands is something we have always heard about, and one of the first places we read about when we started our research of Zew Zealand. So, we were pretty anxious to arrive. After reading all about the Bay of Islands we heard of two major towns we could go to, Russel or Paihia. These two towns aren't next to each other but are opposites and a ferry ride away from each other. Once we read about both we knew Paihia was the winner. 

As the sun set and we finally arrived into Paihia, we had hungry stomachs and a craving for fish and chips. Thanks to Lonely Planet, we headed for a place not far from town called Shippey's, located on a bridge and in an old sailboat where we both enjoyed fish and chips and a warm meal before heading to a campsite we had passed on our way in. Once again, we had no idea of the beautiful setting we were settling in but we were excited to learn of free wi if (on a campsite!). With the wi if we were able to do our research since we wanted to spend another night in Paihia, but be closer to town. So, in the morning we called a hostel, Pickled Parrot, closer to town that according to Lonely Planet had dorms and "sites" available for the same price as the campsite we were currently in. We luckily caught the owner who informed us that they don't usually allow for camper vans, but since it was off season and we were only staying a night she would allow us to crash in the parking lot. 

So we headed out of the holiday park and to the hostel! Now, if I were to ever open a hostel, I would do it exactly like Pickled Parrot. As we pulled into the lot, we knew we liked it. We walked through the outside entrance into an open space with outside tables, chairs, and even a dog. We were sold! All of the dorm rooms surrounded the area along with the toilets/showers, kitchen, and common living room with many games, books and movies to entertain any group of people. 

Since we arrived pretty early and in the middle of their clean, we were told to come back in a couple of hours to check in and have much needed showers. So off we were to explore Paihia. 

We first drove by the beaches and onto the main little street. Gorgeous it was, but really nothing too extravagant. As we had researched, unfortunately, to experience bay of Islands for all it has to offer, you have to fork over a pretty penny, or a small child in the eye of our backpacker budget to take a boat among all the islands. So we settled, if you will, to traveling a bit north of Paihia to Hokianga falls and down a secluded bay with black rock to have our typical lunch of salami sandwiches and take in the sights from shore. 

After lunch, it was beach time! After funded much needed beach towels from the dollar store, as we found ourselves on beaches time and time again, it was to the beach we headed. Here on the beach we relaxed, swam, and took in the free scenery before heading to Mako's bar, a beach bar with big wooden tables and a nice homey feel, for a couple of cold beers before heading back to the hostel to check in. At the hostel we were able to clean up and rest before heading back in town to treat ourselves to a (semi) nice dinner. After passing a couple places, we found ourselves back at Mako's for a good steak, chips and salad. Yum.

Leaving Mako's we figured we had one more drink or a good ice cream in us before heading back. Ice cream then bed it was. 

In the morning we woke to enjoy a free breakfast of toast and cereal (a real treat) before heading out Paihia and the Bay of Islands. Although it was good to be in a town with other human interactions, a super cute hostel, and a nice beach, we still preferred our untouched, middle of nowhere, gravel road beaches that took our breath away.

Morgan