TRY AND DO   

ON THE EDGE - BAY OF ISLANDS

The phrase "on the edge of my seat" implies excitement, tension and exhilaration. If you want to experience all of that but on the water then take a trip "On The Edge" in the Bay of Islands. "On The Edge" is the fastest commercial sailing catamaran in New Zealand. It is capable of speeds up to 30 knots. For those of you, like me, who measure their speed on tarmac or gravel rather than in the bath, this equates to about 50 kilometres an hour. Again my maximum speed depends on the weight of my right foot, the power of the engine and, at the top end, the ability to remember to put on my brown underwear. I have just been informed that I should also mention the words speed limit here too. However out on the ocean waves it is the wind, or the passing of it, that creates the speed.

So "On The Edge" is governed by the speed of the prevailing wind. During our trip we were blessed, yes i said blessed, with light to moderate winds so, although we could on occasions feel the power of this boat, we didn't totally cruise on the edge. We set off early morning, in Ev's language, about 9.30am for others and didn't return until 4.30pm. We smoothly made our way across the not-too-choppy waters of the Bay of Islands and stopped for lunch, provided on board the boat, just off Urupukapuka Island. After the lunch we had the choice of kayaking around for an hour, snorkelling or just being ferried across to the beach for a swim and laze. Then we made our way back to Paihia.

We had the chance to help haul up the sail, whether it be a jennaker or a spinnaker, I think I was listening, and if you didn't fancy too much hard work you could sit out on the netting and soak up the sun while skimming the waves. "On The Edge" is run and operated by our old friends at SailNZ, where we sailed an America's Cup Yacht, and Dolphin NZ, where we swam with the dolphins. I can assure you that this third string to their bow, or sail to their mast I suppose, is just as good, just as exciting as the others. Thanks again guys.

Contact Details: website www.explorenz.co.nz, email:info@sailnz.co.nz Tel:0800 397567 within NZ or 0064(0)93595987

THE EXCITOR - BAY OF ISLANDS

I've been on The Excitor. No, not her, she was with me. The Excitor, or at least the one I am going to tell you about and suggest you try, is a 1600hp speedboat that can be found in the Bay of Islands. Neither of us are brilliant travellers on the water. I, as you may know, cannot even swim so it was with a little apprehension that we took our seats at the front because this, we were told, was the best place to sit for excitement. This increased, in my case, when the driver, pilot, skipper, whatever he was, came down to talk to us all. "Anyone under 18", he asked and the mature idiots, ten of us, sitting at the front all said no. Good he continued because our insurance does not cover under 18's or over 35's in these seats. He explained that we would leave the ground, sorry water, and smash down again and apparently only the 18-35 age group can cope with this. I stayed where I was and have now proved him wrong and as soon as I can walk again I will go and tell him.

Seriously it was a fantastic experience and I suffered no damage at all to my body. Dave was our skipper's name and he was great with information and humour. Even the music joined in as we listened to We will rock you as he did just that. The whole trip took about two hours and we sped across the Bay out into the open sea and to the Hole in the Rock a nature made structure, which we had seen before when we travelled to Urupukakpuka Island. We were there on a relatively calm day so we went through the hole with no problems but Dave told us sometimes the water is really rough and then they cannot go through. On the other side we saw the rock with the face seemingly looking out into the Pacific and toward the place Maori believed their canoes came from. I have helped you spot it by drawing a flying arrow pointing at that place in the rock. Say thank you.

But back to The Excitor and it was a great thrill to feel the speed and the exhilaration of flying for a few seconds as we crested wave after wave. There were occasional moments when my stomach made contact with my tongue (internally - actually I can't do it externally) but we were all strapped in and in no danger, so we were told by Dave and I, for one, believed him. Now the problem with these rides is I would find it just one notch more exciting if they would let me take the controls. The rest of the passengers I'm sure would probably be even more thrilled, if that is the correct word, so everyone would be happier. How about it Fullers, just once. In any case it was great adventure and well worth the time we spent. Try it.

Contact Details: website www.excitor.co.nz, email:info@excitor.co.nz Tel:0800 385537 within NZ

DIVE TUTUKAKA

I don't know how many people come to New Zealand specifically to go diving but once you are here the Poor Knights reserve is certainly something you shouldn't miss - so we were told. Poor Knights island and the marine reserve off the Tututaka Coast near Whangarei with the abundance of sea life including a big range of amazing tropical was considered by the late Jacques Cousteau to be one of the world's top five diving locations. If it was good enough for Jacques Cousteau we thought we can give it a go too.

Obviously if it's that good you need to see it with the best so we decided to go to the Reserve with Dive Tututaka the winner of Qualmark "Tourism Mark of Quality". They have been recognised as the most Outstanding Dive Centre in their region in 2005 at the prestigious APEX award ceremony.

So all in all we were in a good company and in good hands. We were not so sure of it when we sat on the boat and all the divers were asked to take part in a little challenge to fit different shaped objects into different holes. One of the instructors was remarkably slow. The girls "won" over the boys which actually didn't make much sense because the aim of this little game was to check your time on board and then in the water to see how much slower you are and if you should go back to the boat. If you want to stay underwater longer then the aim is to take as much time as you can on the boat. Nevertheless it made the girls happy and it meant that the diving instructor, who was conducting the tests could probably stay in the water for the longest period of time.

We had an enjoyable trip across the ocean. We didn't dive, we only snorkelled. Well Richard actually only looked under the water and decided he not only has a fear of heights but also a fear of depths. I spent an hour or so in the water first, right next to a cave, then came back for a hot soup and lunch and then we changed the location and I went back to the water again. The underwater world was amazing, the water was clear and we saw various fish, an abundance of small sparkling things swimming all around us, big majestic fish swimming underneath us and even couple of Stingrays. As I had only snorkelled before in coral and fairly shallow water this was a change and I loved to see the underwater white sandy beaches and probably most fascinating of all species were the divers who were sometimes right underneath walking on the sea floor and taking pictures. It was fun and the best was that there wasn't this feeling of hurry which I often have on organised things. We could take our time and everyone on the boat was totally satisfied.

Contact Details: website www.diving.co.nz, email:N/A Tel:0064 (0)9 434 3867 or 0800 288 882 within NZ

DOLPHIN DISCOVERIES

Being able to swim with Dolphins is a dream for quite a few people. When you come from a country like Poland actually being able to see a dolphin in its natural environment is also a dream. But in New Zealand it is not at all unusual for dolphins, orcas and whales to swim near the coast. In the Bay of Islands there are many different trips out to view dolphins that come into the Bay and we joined one run by our old friends at SailNZ who made us crew an America's Cup yacht. This time they would make us work again, as we had to swim off and meet the dolphins.

As with our other trip everything was superbly arranged and our crew explained everything to us both about the trip, the Bay and, when we found them, the dolphins. It didn't prove that hard to find them, we eventually found two separate pods (a pod is a collection of dolphins). It was so exciting to see them and they seemed excited too. They were very playful and kept jumping out of the water and they seemed to like to play around in front of our boat and then disappear underneath.

When we found the second pod, and it isn't guaranteed that you will find any or that you can swim with them, it was time to join them in the water. If you are unlucky and can't actually see any dolphins you get a voucher for a free return trip. Rich didn't swim with them, as he can't even swim with himself this seemed a good idea, but I went into the water. DolphinNZ supplied snorkels, masks and a wet suit if you needed it. It was a fantastic experience and although you cannot touch the dolphins just to be in the same little bit of water felt really special. I suppose maybe we weren't swimming with the dolphins; perhaps they were swimming with us. Perhaps they were even watching us not us watching them. Rich says they certainly weren't taking pictures of him but who knows? Oh and I loved the hot drink they provided when we came out of the water.

Contact Details: website www.explorenz.co.nz, email:info@dolphinz.co.nz Tel:0064 (0)9 402 8234 or 0800 DOLPHIN (4657446) within NZ

DUNE RIDER

New Zealand is well known for the adrenaline pumping excitements like bungy jumping and black water rafting. The Far North of New Zealand is a great place for peaceful relaxation on almost empty beaches but even here if you want some excitement and fun you can just jump on a Dune Rider. Dune Rider is a peculiar looking 4 by 4 which will take you from Pahia, or a couple of pick-up points on the way, to Cape Reinga, the farthest accessible point on the North Island, and then down 90-mile beach. We were picked up at Awanui and drove up the main road to the Cape. Here we saw the lighthouse and the point where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea crash into each other. The Cape is also very important for Maori people and you can read about that when we open our New Zealand pages next year. Our host on the Rider, young Bruce, told us this and other stories and it was great to hear everything he said, mainly because it stopped him from singing.

After lunch on a nearby beach on the east coast we drove across to the start of 90-mile beach to do some sand boarding on the massive sand dunes that are there. We were handed a bodyboard and young Bruce, with a big smile, pointed at a huge dune which we had to climb first in order to find ourselves back where we had started in a far shorter space of time but this time not standing and climbing, lying and descending. Do it few times and you are exhausted.

Fortunately after this we had some time to recover when the bus drove on 90-mile beach. If you have never driven down a beach then this is a very good starting point. Not sure if it can get any better though we have discovered that 90 miles beach is really 64 miles beach and to our surprise it also turned out to be a designated road with a speed limit of 100 km per hour. We stopped for a while and dug for shellfish, finding enough for tea, and then completed our little trip with a visit to Kauri Kingdom where we could look at some of the furniture they make from these enormous trees which they find lying buried in swamps all over the Far North. A great day, great people, including Kevin and Bruce, and a fantastic experience.

Contact Details: website www.dunerider.co.nz, email:dunerider@xtra.co.nz Tel:0064 (0)9 402 8681

TE HOENGA WAKA

Fancy paddling a Maori war canoe, called a waka. The Taiamai Tours have just the thing for you. In fact they have a war canoe and two or three genuine Ngapuhi warriors to help you out. The whole adventure is an unforgettable cultural experience. It begins with some safety instructions, the only non-authentic part but quite useful although we were told the waka was unsinkable. Then you are given your paddle and the spiritual significance of this is explained to you. The blade, or head of the paddle, represents the head of your ancestors and so you must always hold the paddle blade upwards, as the ancestors are not happy with their heads in the sand.

The leader of the warriors, Hone, sounded the trumpet or pukaea to get us started and then we were off. Now I have to tell you that you are able to obtain a fair speed when there are 14 or so of you in the waka. However this number fades into insignificance with some of the large Maori wakas which could holdover 100 men. Despite Hone insistence I can tell you that there is a danger involved. Personally, although Ev didn't have this problem, I kept hitting my knuckles on the side of the waka as I paddled. Maybe I am too short.

Once you reach the island you are treated to a Maori powhiri or challenge similar to the ones that will have greeted the first Europeans to land here. It is a very frightening experience as the Maori challengers are so assertive in their behaviour although in most cases that is all it as. They were just showing off their strength.

We had a great time, learned a lot and were really grateful to Hone and his friends for allowing us to join them and experience a part of their culture.

Contact Details: website www.taiamaitours.co.nz, email:hone@taiamaitours.co.nz Tel:0064 (0)9 405 9990