The End of the Earth: Cape Reinga

Not strictly the End of the Earth and not strictly even the end of New Zealand (Surville Cliffs, about 25km east is), Cape Reinga still managed to have that sort of vibe. The Maori's believe that when they die, their souls travel up along Ninety Mile Beach (see later) to Cape Reinga and then jump off into the Pacific, flying if they've lived a good life or falling to the ocean if they haven't. So it's seen as quite the spiritual and sacred place aswell as being quite stunning.

Where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea the differing currents mix and stir up some strange patterns and effects.

A sign giving directions to different locations around the globe. It was a shame, cos a lot of them had been vandalised.

The view along the coast from Cape Reinga.

On the way back from Cape Reinga, we stopped to do some sand-boarding, which essentially is sliding down massive sand dune on a boogy baord. I rocked at it and was the best on our bus! Hurrah.

The dunes were absolutely massive! You could get to a top speed of about 60km/h if you were good enough. I was.

After sand-boarding the bus did the return leg of the journey along Ninety Mile Beach, a state highway no less! Although not technically 90 miles long (actually only 57 miles roughly) it was still impressive. A land speed record was set here in the early 1900's.