Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake) are one of four smaller lakes between Lake Rotorua and Lake Tarawera. The other two are Lake Okareka and Lake Okataina. I have been to three of the four now (the other being Lake Okataina), though lakes Tikitapu and Rotokakahi are pretty special in my books. Access to Lake Okareka is on the same road as the blue and green lakes, so you can easily do these three in one day.
Read MoreRichard and I go way back to mid-2000s, where he was already doing a lot of youth work in our community. Over the years, I would run into him through my graphic design work and teaching dance. He was already a cycling advocate back then, but it’s only recently that I finally took him up on getting me back on a bike. I haven’t been on a bike since 2007 - maybe somewhere in the back streets of Vietnam.
The dune trail of the Motu Trail Cycleway is in the township of Opotiki, about 40 minutes drive from Whakatane. Now, when he told me that we would be biking 9km, I thought he meant in total, not one way! He did give the option to turn around at various points, but I figured I wouldn’t be this way for awhile, so decided to make the most of it.
Read MoreRain jackets with hoods up sums up a January summer in New Zealand these last few years. We had a big storm just a couple of days ago, so I knew the water would still be a mucky soup of driftwood, but the rain stayed with us as we kayaked around Whale Island.
Whale Island (Moutohora) is a dormant volcano (although there are active fumaroles) about 9km offshore from my hometown of Whakatane. It is currently a Department of Conservation Nature Reserve, and landing on the island is by special permit only and subject to strict quarantine conditions. Owner and operator of KG Kayaks, Kenny McCracken, is allowed to land on the island, and the tour includes landing on a couple of beaches, which includes Hot Water Beach on Onepu/Sulphur Bay.
Read MoreTwo of my favourites are the Italian and Japanese gardens. The Japanese garden for its Bonzai trees, water features and understated tranquility, while the Italian gardens for its romantic vines, statues and fountains. There was a couple having their wedding photos in the Italian gardens, which made us feel a bit voyeuristic, but we were respectful not to intrude and kept out distance.
Read MoreWhitepine Bush Scenic Reserve is a beautiful Kahikatea Forest and just a 15 minute drive out of Whakatane on SH2. It’s a 250m loop track nestled in native NZ bush and would be an ideal walk for families with young kids, or bird watching enthusiasts. Two weekends in a row with great weather meant no excuse to stay indoors, and although it’s a short walk, I spent a good hour walking around taking photos.
Read MoreYou’ve seen the photos of picturesque Cathedral Cove - smiling tourists, face bathing in sunlight, selfies capturing the scenery as well as the hundreds who walked it with you. This is more likely a scene in the summer months. My friend Jemma and I decided to bend the norm and check it out two days into New Zealand’s spring.
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