Puriri Bay

In New Zealand, camping spots are either at Holiday Parks, kind of like KOA campsites in the US, or at Department of Conservation (DOC) sites. I love the DOC sites because they are usually in the heart of some beautiful native habitat. But since they are more rustic, we tried for a mix of the two. 

Our first spot was at Puriri Bay, a DOC campsite, next to Whanagaruru North Head Forest Reserve. 

It was a kiwi slice of paradise. The ocean was right at our doorstep and it was warm and swimmable. The girls snorkelled or played on the rope swing. I love being a place that is ruled by the rhythm of the tides.  The whole landscape transforms twice a day.  At low tide the rock pools become exposed and the rope swing becomes accessible. At high tide everyone goes in for a swim. We were supposed to move on after our second night but asked to stay on a third. There happened to be only one campsite left so it was meant to be.

The stars were so brilliant at night that, through my binoculars, we could see the twin planets Jupiter and Saturn. So clear yet so far away!

First order of childhood business, climb a tree.

Second order, swing on the rope swing.

Third, swim.

The first thing we look for in a campsite is two trees for the hammock.

All the color in New Zealand foliage occurs at Christmas when the Pohutukawa trees bloom a deep red.

#vanlife