Senior citizens enjoy Northland trip

For some of the 47 holidaymakers on the bus, this first weekend away with the Auckland Indian Association Senior Citizens Group was also their first trip to the sunny north.

The trip started at 8.35am on the dot after a blessing from Panditji Shree Abhijitbhai of the Radha Krishna Temple at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre.

The weather was just right (after a night of battering wind and rain). Jokes were recited, alternating with bhajans and genial banter as the bus reached NZ’s only oil refinery at Ruakaka. The Marsden Point Refinery has a 130 sq metre model on display and the group was given an overview of the complexity of the refining processes as well as background on oil formation and drilling. The chemistry was beyond most peoples’ understanding but everyone realised the work involved in producing petrol.

Onwards past the famously ornate Kawakawa toilets then lunch at Whangarei Falls, possibly the most photographed site in Whangarei. Most people were keen to walk the circuit and view the beautiful veil of water from the gully. A shared lunch, then the group voted to explore Russell by way of a return ferry trip, before settling into the comfortable motel in Paihia. Landing at Russell, many searched out local sites while a few ventured out and climbed Flagstaff Hill where Hone Heke had once chopped down the flagpole four times in opposition to British Rule. The view over Russell and the bay were well worth the climb.

Sunday was a warm sunny day, everyone eager to get going and so the group set off for Kaitaia via Waitangi, Kerikeri and Ninety Mile Beach. A picturesque drive through rolling farmland, past citrus, pipfruit, avocado and kiwi orchards, then along a tranquil seaside the party stopped for lunch at Mangonui. Curries, cake, chai and hot chips never tasted so good. An early arrival at the motel enabled a get together with all hands on deck to cook and enjoy a homemade meal.

Monday morning saw once again, an earlier departure than scheduled. Snaking its way south through the hilly ranges and state forests, the group stopped for a rest at Omapere just south of Opononi (made famous by Opo the dolphin). The jetty and boat ramp offered beautiful panoramic views of the stunning harbour and sand dunes.

Onto Waipou forest to view Tane Mahuta, the great Kauri standing 51.5m tall, having a girth of 13.77m and believed to be up to 2500 years old. The party continued south through Dargaville, the kumara growing country around Ruawai, along the Kaipara coast and back to a somewhat dismal Auckland evening.

The group was lucky to have had a very jovial and learned bus driver who not only helped with baggage and sightseeing but also educated the members by imparting her in-depth knowledge of the Maori wars and European settlement in Northland.

Even the dismal Auckland weather could not dampen the group’s spirits. A most memorable trip.