Long Road to Paihia

Three days in Rotorua region gave us a good insight into the New Zealand past – the Maori culture, the history, the many great earthquakes which happened thousands and thousands of years ago, how some of the lakes came about, how the mountains were ‘split’ into halves…

It was then time to move up further north, to experience the sights and sounds of Paihia and Russell, to walk along the famous 90-mile Beach, to Cape Reinga where one sea meets another ocean.

It was a long day on the road. Paihia is 470km north of Rotorua and on the way, we had to pass by Auckland. Traffic jam is a rare ‘scene’ in New Zealand, except perhaps in Auckland. We arrived at the Auckland area around midday and there it was – the vehicles were ‘crawling’. But perhaps, it was nothing compared to what we have in Kuala Lumpur.

It was a beautiful day – sunny with gentle blowing wind, occasionally a little bit chilly when the wind decided to be less ‘gentle’.

Traffic jam in the Auckland area

Crossing Auckland Harbour Bridge (above and below)


Lunch stop
Red Beach in Orewa (above and below 2)


Children having great fun time at the beach / sea

Pit stop at Wellsford. Still a long way to Paihia.

Paihia (above and below few)

Paihia is a small town with just a few rows of shops.
Perhaps there are more tourists than the locals.
It is a ‘tourists’ town, a gateway to many other
interesting and exciting places beyond.



Shops along the wharf. Mainly companies
offering tours, cruises, fishing trips etc.

Chinese food at a Chinese restaurant
Rice with four dishes cost NZ$ 12:00,
a plate of fried noodles cost NZ$ 16:00!
We decided to have their Fish & Chips – for NZ$ 8:00!