This Is The First Day Of My Life

Feel I was born right on the highway.......

(Sorry Mr. Oberst for destroying your best lyric ever)

But that is exactly what I, what we feel, about Russell/Bay of Islands. This was the first photo I ever saw of New Zealand, and for about 17 years I carried it in my heart, not knowing why.

Now I know.

This is where we want to live. Either with a lottery win, or when we retire.

There is no other place like this on earth. Anywhere. I thought MorroBay/California was about the closest a place could get to kick me out of my shoes, and I still feel the same about it -  but now that I know Russell, I'd go for it anytime.

This place is magic. I can't describe it better. The views are so ridiculously stunning that I am almost waiting for someone to tear the screen down and yell "Candid Camera!! It was only a photo!!". The smell of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna is sheer overpowering, and as if God had made a pact with the Devil to show us what we are missing out on living in Europe, the weather is the most gorgeous I've had all year............ and we're even only getting into spring here.

We're enjoying the most wonderful accomodation in the Russel Bay Lodge, with fantastic sea views and everything you need to enjoy some luxury. It's a short but demanding walk downhill into the ancient town of Russell (and don't remind me of the walk uphill LOL!), but whoever decides they're going for it,will be rewarded with a unique experience. Walking the historic streets of the former "Hell hole", having a drink on the terrace of the famous "Duke of Marlborough" hotel, going on a Dolphin Cruise (and actually see dolphins, look out for pictures on Flickr), have dinner at one of the Thai places or if you fancy, some seafood.................. or just do what we did tonight and have some Fish&Chips on a bench on the shore, watching the sunset.

I've rarely ever felt so alive.

Before we got to this paradise, we went up Far North, where we visited the ancient Kauri Forests and saw "Tane Mahuta", The Lord Of The Forest, before we had a night's rest in a really crappy motel (Boy are they gonna be upset about the review I am gonna give them!!) in Pukenui on Thursday night. Thank God it really was just for a few hours of sleep before heading to Cape Reinga..............another real magic place. Being there and actually feeling the souls of the dead Maori people leaving for Hawaiki (the afterlife), passing the ancient Pohutukawa tree down there, still gives me the shivers and will forever be a moment to remember.

Coming back, we stopped at the giant sand dunes where Rob took a sandboard downhill (I couldnt face the walk up there LOL!), and of course at 90 Mile Beach where I got unintentionally wet and had to change trousers. Collected some beautiful Paui mussel shells too!

Tomorrow morning we have to say Goodbye to Russell (for now, we will come back someday somemorning sometime, otherwise I wouldn't be able to deal with it), and head down via Whangarei to Thames on Coromandel Peninsula.

I doubt we will be able to catch the spirit of everything we are experiencing here, but at least I have tried. Honestly.

Be good, and behave, everyone. We love you all :)