Anna in Aotearoa
Just returned from a wonderful week in Whirinaki in the Hokianga (the winterless north) with 70 schoolchildren. What a wonderful time we all had. The parents were wonderful and we ate, slept, swam and explored. We stayed on Moria Marae, a wonderful place and close to the river for swimming. We did so much in the week that we were there. Visited a family who live using traditional and organic farming methods, growing all their own food and grains. Was wonderful for the kids to see a plough pulled by horses and to have the opportunity to plant kumara in their gardens, with the invitation to return at harvest to gather our crops. The swing bridge was a whole new experience for some and yes I managed to cross it fine until some students decided it would be fun to jump on whenever a teacher was on it and give it a good wobble....lol, i didnt fall off.
The trip to the forest to see Matua o te Naghere ( father of the forest) was great. Whtas a magnificent Kauri he is and also to Tanemahuta (lord of the forest). The Waipoua Forest is a totally magical place and we had a great guide, Joey Morunga, Footprints Waipoua, http://www.omapere.co.nz/view.asp?websection=62 Joey lived in the forest for 8 years and is very passionate about it.
We had a great time doing Waka Ama ( outrigger canoeing) and swimming at Opononi as well as our trip over the harbour to the sand dunes where we spent hours boogie boarding down the dunes and into the water. A big thanks to the guys from Hakianga Harbour Tours.
WEatch this space, I will be adding lots of pictures of the time up there.
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