A great way to explore Kerikeri is by kayak, on the Kerikeri Inlet - and it looks very different from the water than from the land! We launched our kayaks at Waipapa Landing - this is a good all-tide launching spot, with a concrete boat ramp, plenty of parking and also a toilet block. Map of Waipapa Landing boat ramp: The pin below shows the location of the boat ramp … [Read more...]
Sailing at Kerikeri Cruising Club
Did you know that sailing is a cheap and very accessible sport? I kid you not - it's true - certainly for crew. (It's a bit pricey if you're a boatowner, but you don't need to be a boat owner to sail in the Bay of Islands.) How to go sailing at Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands when you don't have a boat Kerikeri Cruising Club runs a packed schedule of sailboat races … [Read more...]
Kerikeri Saturday market at the Old Packhouse
The Old Packhouse market on Saturdays is one of my top 'Must Do' things in Kerikeri. Partially undercover, it's a great place to buy yummy fresh, local, seasonal produce and also have a bite to eat. There are a good number of stalls selling food to be enjoyed on the premises: my current favourites include the mussel fritters, pies and hangi. The Old Packhouse Market … [Read more...]
Eat: Alongside, Paihia
I took my dad to Alongside restaurant in Paihia for a spur-of-the-moment lunch, and it did not disappoint! To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about eating at Alongside, Paihia: the location, nestled above the water , was just a bit too perfect. And the decor looked just a bit too stylish. I was worried that the food would be below average and disappointing, as so … [Read more...]
Tall Ships Regatta, Russell – 9 January 2016
"Would you like to do the Tall Ships Regatta with us?" asked the skipper of the boat I usually crew on at the Kerikeri Cruising Club. "What's the Tall Ships Regatta?" I asked? That's not quite the silly question it may appear to be. Because in the 2016 edition there weren't any tall ships: the weather had been too rough for them to make their way to the Bay of … [Read more...]
UB40 concert at Kainui Road Vineyard – 6 January 2016
To be honest, UB40 isn’t my favourite band. In fact, “Red red wine” is probably my least favourite song ever. But, it’s my dad’s favourite song and a band he loves. So when he was visiting from England, the two of us went along to the gig. At the gig, my dad confessed he hadn’t been to a concert since he went to Eric Clapton with me 20 years earlier – goodness! And he’s … [Read more...]