4^th January, 2016

I awoke at 5.15am to see that the sun was starting to rise.  Steve murmured something about staying in bed, so I decided to say in too…. only to think “bugger it I'm awake now….” - so I got up 15mins later and raced down to the shore with my camera in hand.

The wind had basically stopped roaring (YAY) – I shot our palm tree but from the opposite direction  - it rose to the LHS and set on the RHS.   It was a pretty sunrise.  Lots of clouds in the sky and the colour was very pretty.   I was very glad to have seen in this new day!

My headache was still there and getting worse, so I popped some pills, had a shake and went back to bed by 6.30am, where we slept until 8.15am.  

Down by the pool by 8.45am and we had a late breakfast – same as yesterday only better servings, and we then booked us a scooter hire.

They came and got us within 20mins and dropped us off at the hire shop.  There were only 3 couples in front of us, but it seemed that was a HUGE QUEUE…. That took over 1 ½ hours to get to us!  OMG – island time!  Lol  (Pick up at 10.30am and bike by midday!)

We eventually got our scooter – a 125cc with loads of storage for $151 for 11 days.   (we are only using it for 10 days, but because we are dropping it back late on the 10^th day they charge us for 1 extra day).

It was funny sitting in the Scooter Hire place for such a long time to watch their promo-video of the Island and various businesses…  gosh the advertising is B.A.D.  I mean really cheesy!  Cringe worthy even.  I can see what the chef last night was saying.     Even the Little Poly are using photos that were professionally taken years ago – using and “re-using” the same images over and over.   I mean, its a good investment, but surely you'd update at some stage?

Steve drove us back to the hotel where we loaded up on sunscreen,  (we'll, one of us did).  and then we headed out to see the sights!

I felt free as a bird!!  It has been so long since I've been on a bike I had forgotten what it feels like – even if I was only a pillion!   “I'm the King Of the World” - I kept saying and flinging my arms out wide as we drove down the road!!  ha ha ha ha – Steve kept wondering what the heck was going on!

No helmets either… only thongs, shorts and barely a singlet on – absolute freedom.  Top speed of 40km p/hr – man we were flying!!  lol

We headed out of the hotel and turned left….and dove back towards the airport. We went past the big Saturday markets where one stand was open – WAFFLES!!   So we had to stop – and we had Waffles & Ice-Cream with chocolate sauce for lunch!  We shared our waffles with the local chickens and their chicks who roam the island free-range.    The waffles were AWESOME BRO!!!!

We then thought there would be a plane landing the same time as we did at 1.40pm, so we went to the “Jet Blast” area at the airport – the runway is right on the ocean.  We were there with a heap of other tourists….waiting…. Waiting…. Waiting.    We were there for over an hour, and then I said to Steve – let's go.    No plane came….. we landed the day before at 1.40m and we waited from 1.20pm until 2.30m in the heat and sun of the day…. No plane.

We've decided we will get the plan schedule and work out when the planes land … it would make an awesome photo or video!

We drove around looking at some of the beaches and we found “Black Rock”.  A big black rock right on the beach near the airport…. Could be a nice sunset photo – something different to a palm tree.   Steve isn't convinced, but there is only that or a tree!  Lol   He might think differently in the coming days once he is over the palm tree.  I think the rock has lots of texture and I love the symmetry of it. 

We stopped off at a grocery store on the way back, and had a Tip Top Ice-cream!  YUMMY - $3 for 2 scoops (cheap compared to NZ prices)….I had Boysenberry and Caramel – YUM and Steve had Vanilla (surprise surprise and Choc-Orange).    Vegetables are expensive $9.80 for 1 NZ Cabbage!!  $14 per kilo for tomatoes!!  Everything is imported in, so everything is expensive.  Except alcohol – that seemed on par to what we'd pay.  Like $4 for a Barcardi Breezer.   $6.50 for a Scotch n Cola.

Milk is also expensive, same with Coke etc -  $8 for 1.5litres.

Packets of chips - $5.80.  Shapes are $4.90 per box.  Sweet Biscuits are on average $6 per packet. 

We drove back to the hotel where we quickly grabbed our blow-up chair and mattress and headed off to the beach.  The wind was back big time, so it wasn't long before we were blown 4 miles down the beach and we had to walk back… so we abandoned that and went snorkeling again.

I was having a ball, but Steve wasn't.  Seems his mustache isn't giving him a waterproof seal, so the water keeps getting in his mask. So he abandoned the snorkel and he grabbed a Kayak and we both kayaked out close to the outer reef.  The water is pristine out here and the visibility is amazing!  I jumped in and snorkeled around.  Steve stayed close with the Kayak and we were out there for a good hour or more.

I saw bigger fish and I also saw tiny reefs with teeny tiny tropical fish with their babies!  It was amazing & it was fantastic!!!  I only regretted not having a waterproof camera with me!

Steve tried to get me to jump back into the Kayak, but that wasn't happening!  Lol    So alas, I swam back into shore.  It wasn't too far, and to be honest, I am at home when I am in the sea, so I really enjoyed it.   I might not get to swim all that often, but I am a fairly strong swimmer and that never leaves me.  (besides, I have a lot of work to do to work off the food I consumed in NZ with Geri – and the NZ Dairy!) so the more exercise the better!

The wind had really returned with a vengeance, so we decided to shower and rinse off, and have a nice drink on the day bed, when it got all too much for Steve and he went off for a nanna-nap (….he's snoring soundly as I type this).   He didn't put sunscreen on his face at all today (....by the looks of things.....) as he looks like a raccoon – a red one!  Poor boy.  He's been concerned about ensuring I don't cook to death that he's forgotten himself.  I'll have to make sure I take better care of him tomorrow and I will plaster the sunscreen all over him. I just hope he doesn't have sun-stroke and feel ill tonight… I'll have to make sure he drinks plenty of water before he goes to bed – which is like getting blood from a stone, but I'll be firm with him!

We got our wireless internet voucher today too…. 150 Meg for 3 days…. which is basically the loading of Facebook.  So we wont be posting our blog with photos as that will be our limit right there, and we can't really look at Facebook either.  Oh well, we'll just have to make do.

I've just made myself 2 cocktails…. Consisting of the Kaluha, Malibu and the Cool Swan Irish Cream – OMFG – sensational I have to tell you!!  Typing is proving more difficult – too many spelling mistakes I am spending more time correcting what I am typing, than typing!!  LOL  First world problems!!   lol  I am feeling happy though!  Ha ha ha  I might have to drink more when I get back home!

Steve wanted to eat out somewhere different tonight, so he could have something other than Steak n chips (although tonight is the Public Holiday and most places are closed) I don't like his chances…...and he is still snoring.  It is 5.50pm now and if we don't get seated by 6pm where ever we are going, there'll be no sunset photos – not that it will be the end of the world – because there is always tomorrow.   So do I wake him or let him sleep???    This is the dilemma!

Oh and I have to give a huge SHOUT OUT to Geri – Thank You for the ProTopic cream – it has radially cleared up my heat rash and Poly-Oral Dermatitis – it's amazing – thank you so much! Xxx

I am about to head outside to see what the clouds are doing and to see if we should hang around for a sunset shoot tonight or just find dinner.  I can see at this late hour we'll be eating here at the little Poly again and we'll do something different tomorrow when everything is open for trade again!  :)  I might be too pissed to be a pillion on a bike at this stage of the day! Lol    Ahhh there is always tomorrow…..and the roosters will be sure to “cock-a-doodle-do” at 4am like they have done every morning since we've arrived.   (I might get another sunrise shoot in!)

I am off to dream about what business I can do whilst still living on the Island…. Photography…. Jet-Boat Hire….  Coconut “anything”…. Hmm…. So many ideas, so little time (or money) to make things happen.  Maybe I could get people buying Corian and then I'd have to come here to train them and audit etc… yeah – I might have to work on that (cut out the NZ Distributor) LOL

I still think Wanaka is the best place to be.   We must work on that….  Ha ha ha – pipe dreams...

P.S. - Steve has stopped snoring and is now in a very deep sleep….I can't wake him – I feel bad. 

OK – Steve was awake (so he reckons, sitting up staring at me for 15mins he says) …  the time is now 7.05pm and the sun was setting in the evening sky. Not the best sunset we thought as there was a huge bank of clouds hanging just above the horizon, but very quickly the sun dipped behind to showcase crespular rays top and bottom (damn – if only we were out there with the good cameras). 

We jumped on the scooter and drove off in search of food.  About 15mins down the road we found VIAMA – a Take Away Pizza place – but with a restaurant right on the beach out the back  We were lucky enough to get a table right on the beach so we could watch the sun setting – it was lovely.  We should have taken our shoes off, as it was very relaxed and dining was on the sand - this was our view.

Steve had a scotch fillet with chips and an egg with Peppercorn Sauce (he was a very happy boy) – it was lovely and tender.  $32.00    I had the Mahi Mahi fish of the Day with vegetables and a side salad (courtesy of Steve) $29.00, and our Coke & Sprite were $4 each. 

We had a guest for dinner – the local restaurant dog – a Lab.  He was quite funny and very obedient.  Steve of course had to feed him (even though we were told on a few occasions NEVER to feed the local dogs…) - so he made a friend for life.  The Lab decided to sleep by our feet during dinner – it was very cute I have to say.

We checked out the take away pizza menu – thank god there is a “meat lovers” on there for Steve – not cheap at $22 each.  Mostly gourmet type pizzas, but I am sure he will make do.

We ate our gorgeous dinner and then we drove back in the dark on the scooter back to out room.   Another perfect day in paradise has come to an end.  I wonder what tomorrow has in store for us – especially now that ALL the shops will be open – no more public holidays!  :)

Nighty night peeps….!!!!

3^rd January, 2016

We slept in – sunrise is at some ungodly hour it seems, so we slept soundly until 8.30am and then made it down for breakfast by the pool for 9am.  We were greeted with fresh fruit – pineapple, mango, orange & apple with some local Coconut.  We had toast, muesli, coffee & juice. 

By the time we finished breakfast, we decided to go for a walk.  So we turned right when leaving the hotel, and we tried to find “The Yacht Club” where Simon & Rachel used to walk to – and Kayak to from our hotel.  We walked and walked and walked in the sun…. .was very hot – 31 degrees.  The wind was up, so thank god the breeze was lovely and whilst we waked along the roadside, that ran long side the beach, so we weren't often without a direct breeze to cool us down.  Steve had had enough of walking by about 45mins, so we turned around – no where near the Yacht Club.

Check out the stunning Flame Tree!  This one is outside our resort, but they are all over the island and are in full bloom right now - they are stunning!   There are a few "yellow" flame tree's as well, but the red ones are very striking!

We decided to walk along the beach to get back to the Little Polynesian.  Why not?!!!    It wasn't long before we spied this dog, way out in the lagoon on a reef!  He was barking his head off and clearly wasn't happy about swimming back to shore.  

We stopped and watched him for a while and then he took the plunge and swam back.  It wasn't long before he ran up to Steve and they made friends for life, and they walked along the beach together for a while.  Was very cute I have to say!

We got back to our room where the bathers were put on, and we decided to go snorkeling!  WOW – the fish are RIGHT THERE – by the shore – honestly – its amazing!  The visibilty is ok, but not fantastic, due to the winds whipping up the atol.  The further out closest to the ouster reef, the better.   I swam quite far and I was SOOOOO happy with what I saw….. white fish with black stripes.  Big Parrot fish in vibrant blues & greens.  Black n White striped fish, black fish, Sea Cucumbers, bright blue Star Fish small fish, big fish, tiny fish – all there, right at the shore!   Oh and giant Travelli swimming up and down the shore line too!  OMG – a fisher-mans paradise, except you are not allowed to fish here as it is all protected – damn it!

We were out there longer than we anticipated, so we might have seen a tad too much sun (oops)

We then laid on our day bed and had a nanna-nap or two, and had something fabulous to drink before it was once again time for dinner.

Back to the pool, where Steve had the steak again (alas there is nothing else on the menu for him) and I had the chicken as the fish had sold out due to the long weekend – they had run out).

I had been fighting a headache all day but it had gotten the better of me by this stage – I wasn't happy.

We raced back to the room for sunset again.  This night was different….clouds were different – looked like more, but of course there wasn't much when it came time.

We got to talking to some “tourists” and a local – a guy from Fiji who is a Chef who has been here for 8 months.  He was very taken with our photography and he reckons all we'd need is a portfolio of works to take to each resort (and he was keen to introduce us to his Manager of the resort he was working in) and he said they'd buy our work.   There is basically no photographers here that are any good he reckons!    Awwwhhh that was so nice of him to say.  Steve was showing him the back of the camera of some of the sunset shots were were taking – straight out of camera & he was blown away!  :) 

More to drink and off to bed – good night Cook Islands – very happy to be here!

Oh and the sugar-ants….I had forgotten how bad they can be……. And everywhere they get into!  Thank god for Mortien spray – I've sprayed everything to kill the little bastards.  Not that they really harm anything, but if you have anything sweet open (like Malibu) they'll get into it – so all the alcohol is now in the fridge.

3^rd January 2016 - 2^nd January, 2016

Up early – 5.30am, showered and ready to go to the airport.  Graeme took us in, and a sad farewell to Geri!  Gosh I'll miss them – great hosts – I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else!  I am sure they are glad to see the back of us – so they can diet at least!    I've never eaten so well – thanks Geri! Xxx

Auckland Airport was having its busiest day of the year!  Air New Zealand Check in counters had queues a mile long.    Lucky we were on time for check in.  we barely had enough time to check in, get some duty free alcohol and make it to our gate for boarding.

We grabbed some nice alcohol.  Malibu with Banana (because we'll be on a tropical island!), Kaluha – Limited Edition Salted Caramel (just because its salted caramel!),  Cool Swan  – Irish Cream – (just Like Baileys only made with White Chocolate), and Steve's favourite – Glayva. 

It was time for boarding and when we got to the gate, my ticket was “invalid”, so we had to see another steward, who issued us with two new tickets with different seat allocations!   These were better.

We boarded the aircraft and we had been bumped up to Premium Economy.   We had the Emergency Exit – so no one in front of us at all – leg room for miles with our own fold out screen!  No window though – but eh – we were happy regardless.   

We both got to watch a couple of movies each.  I got to finish “Driving Lesson” - lovely movie.  And I saw the animation “Inside Out”- loved it – I laughed out loud quite a few times!  I'll be buying that on blue ray.   Steve watched  Hit Man Agent 47, and he started watching Ex-Machina but didn't get to see much of it.

The flight was pretty much full (except in business class).  Locals heading home for the holidays.  More locals than tourists!

Because we were in the “good seats” we got breakfast (which we hadn't paid for)! LOL  YAY!  About half way into our flight Sharon one of the airline Hostesses wanted to see our boarding pass and how come we ended up where we were, as she had another customer with the same seat number.  We told her what had happened.  Then 10mins later the Chief Steward came over and wanted the hear the story from us and to see our boarding pass.  Apparently the ground crew had been double allocating seats, and there were a few people in the wrong seats – or supposed to be in the same seats as others.

The Chief Steward said for our troubles he'd come and get us close to landing to put us up the front near the exit door, so we could alight quickly!   Of which he did – right up in business class!   Very nice!  It meant we had a window seat coming in – not that we could see the island, as its so small, and the way the come in, I barely had time to rattle off 3 photos before we landed.

I gotta tell ya – I have loved flying Air New Zealand.  Every air hostess has been wonderful – so happy and nothing was too much trouble.  The Chief Steward needn't have moved us – no big deal for us – if anything the other customer should have been moved up to Business.  Anyway – I will fly with them again!

Being first off (and we basically were) meant we were through customs straight away – thank god- they only had two guys on and the queues were horrendous within 10mins!   Our luggage took a while to come out, but that was ok, because there was a local singing to us on his guitar!  Lol

We went straight through biosecurity, and out the door to our courtesy bus.  But we were the only guests staying at the Little Polynesian, so they bumped us to another bus, so they didn't have to drive the “whole way” around the island to drop us off.  (The island takes 1hour to drive around!) LOL   Its not very big.

Oooh time travel – we have crossed the international date line, so we have gone back a day… so it is Saturday 2^nd January all over again!  lol

First impressions on the way to the hotel, was that it is fairly basic.  Touristy, but not touristy in a commercial sense.  Think “Bali” about 20yrs ago – in between their shacks on the side of the road to moving into buildings…. But before the fancy construction. 

There is definitely an “island time” mentality – so we'll have to adapt to that very quickly.  Our bus driver had us alone as we were the last drop off for a good 10mins, and he said we were on the best “beach” of the island – all be it a bit far away from anything.   But thats ok with us!

OMG – the colour of the water – it is sooooo turquoise blue – its amazing!  I keep looking at it – thinking I am in a dream!   It is exactly like the photos in the brochures!  (only with more wind!)

We arrived at the Little Polynesian to be greeted by a lovely local who checked us in.  We have arrived on a “long weekend” - as New Years Eve has Monday as the pubic holiday, so basically nothing is open for 3 days…. Means we also we no internet for the next 3 days as the hotel administration staff are away and wont be back till Tuesday – great!  (Steve was disappointed about that).

We were escorted to our room - # 2.  If you stand at the pool, we are the 2^nd last room to the right.

WOW – just gorgeous.  I knew the resort had to be over 20 years old, and I can say whilst the rooms are gorgeous – there are a few things that need maintenance and some attention.  But on the whole, very nice!   And talk about “beach front” - the beach is basically 5 meters away from the hut!   Its a bit steep, and some erosion has taken place and there are no “steps” down – so you have to scale down to the beach proper, but its ok…. We can rough it!

The bed is sooooo comfortable – pillow top king size mattress – thank you very much!  Windows with plantation shutters so the breeze moves constantly through the villa.  There is an outdoor bath, and shower.  And a double vanity bathroom, shower and toilet.  Its very spacious!

We basically unpacked – well I did… I put all of my things away in the wardrobe.  Steve just left his stuff in his suitcase in the crumpled mess it arrived in!  Lol

We walked down to the water to feel how warm it was, and it is just like bath water – so warm and inviting.  The atoll is a coral reef, so the beach is relatively sandy, but there are bits of chunky coral reef across the sand, so you have to be careful when walking.

We layed on our daybed together for a while and watched the world go by – was just perfect!!

As it was now early 6pm, we had dinner at the Little Poly restaurant by the pool,  - Steve had Rib Eye Steak and I had Mahi Mahi fish (YUM) for dinner, then we raced off back to the room, as the sun sets early here – 7.30pm – so we barely made it with time to spare – we found a palm tree (right outside our villa – or are) – and we photographed Sunset!  It was quite lovely.

Then it was off to bed!  (not before we taste tested our alcohol of course!) lol

2^nd January, 2015

Our last day in NZ.  The weather is very ordinary today too.   We had a good sleep in and thought it was a good idea to catch up on writing the blog and doing some photos whilst others slept.

Today we are catching up with Tracey Bennett & her man Stan.  I haven't seen Tracey in a couple of years, and prior to that it was a good 5 years.  Funny how we live in Australia, but have to come to NZ to catch up.  They are both “home” to see family & friends for Christmas.  I am looking forward to seeing them!   Steve will love Tracey, and it will be great to meet Stan for the first time.

We are headed to Riverhead, which is North West of Auckland.  Approx 35kms out of the city.  Graeme has very generously given us the car for the afternoon!  Thanks Graeme!  I am looking forward to seeing a bit more of the North Island as I feel I've been here a week and haven't seen much – not compared to our whirlwind tour of the South Island!  But its been so good to stop and relax – it has been a good introduction to our Cook Islands leg.

We went to a restaurant called  Halleuka in Riverhead.  It is a boutique brewery with a distillery on site.  Food was great and so was the company!  So great to meet Stan in person after all this time, and in true Tracey & Vicki style, we picked up from where we left off! 

Tracey and Stan recommended we try a Jelly Tip ice-cream – a real NZ tradition.  So on the way home, Steve found a “dairy” (corner store for the rest of us) and we bought some to bring home to Graeme & Geri.   So we ate ice-creams...and coffee and biscuits.  Now the cheese is out and soon it will be dinner!  God I love this place!  Lol

We are getting excited now.  My suitcase is now re-packed with the tripod carefully put away and clothes refolded.  We just have to get up and shower and be on our way!

What do we think of Auckland?  Nah, we wouldn't want to live here (although Puhoi is just up the road.....)  Auckland is just another big city.  Prettier than most, being surrounded by waterways and very scenic countryside, but Wanaka is still our favourite….  same with Mount Cook.   We'll be back New Zealand.  This was just a taste for me, and I am hooked (on the dairy!) lol   The locals are “sweet as bro”! 

1^st January, 2015

Happy New Year

Well, we had a very lazy morning, sleeping in till midday. We had bacon, eggs, asparagus, mushrooms, tomatoes & toast for breakfast..well lunch…. actually it was more like afternoon tea! Gosh Geri can put on a magnificent spread of food, and you can't let all that effort go to waste! Especially when Steve wont eat half of it, so I have to eat his share too! Lol

The rain that had been forecast a few days ago finally made its appearance, and it was non stop raining and the wind was up. So what a good day to go to the movies. Geri, Graeme, Steve and I went off to see the new Star Wars movie at a new Theatre in NewLynn.  It was good....I didn't think it was great though.  But we are glad we've seen it.

We tried to have dinner afterwards – it was 8pm at this stage. The first pub had just closed their kitchen and wouldn't serve us. So we found another good local, and they just closed their kitchen too - what is it with Auckland??!

It was only because it was New Years Day – everywhere was very quiet. So we decided to grab some pizzas and of course I had to find some ice-cream and milk, and we came home to eat.

We put on Game of Thrones because Geri & Graeme had not seen it and we stayed up to watch the first 3 episodes of Series one.   I think they are addicted!!  lol

31^st December 2015 – New Years Everything

Another very relaxing sleep in and lazy morning.

Nothing much to report for the days events, so I thought I would photograph some of the yummy foods we've (I've) been devouring since I've been here.

The milks and dairy – WOW, OMG, Out of this WORLD amazing! I knew people raved about NZ Dairy, but crikey – it really is amazing.

Firstly the Puhoi Custards. Lightly flavoured, but they are so thick and creamy, it is unlike any custard I've ever tried. We ate it straight out of the tub – one each! Lol (there's 10kgs right there in that little tub of deliciousness!)

The Puhoi Milk – White Chocolate and Caramel. You have to try it to believe just how good it is. You think you've had good flavoured milks before, but you've not had anything quite like this! Expensive, but once you've tried it – you will soon justify the $$.

Lewis Road Creamery is also devine - REAL chocolate milk using Whittakers Chocolate.  YUMMY!!

Coconut Milk – until Auckland I thought this stuff was pretty epic. Its not “dairy”, as it is coconut milk, so its not as creamy as cows milk, but it is smooth and delicious. I have been using it in my shakes, and bought this and the Chocolate Milk since we first arrived in NZ.

Fruit Juice – WOW – I loved this one – see how I couldn't wait to drink some before the photo was taken. Its got coconut and banana in it…. and caramel - YUMMY – all it needed was some Vodka or Malibu and you've got yourself a fancy cocktail in a bottle!

Biscuits – I am a fan of anything 'coconut', so I had to try the “Krispies” - just a little crispy think biscuit you have with coffee. And the Afgans – I've heard of these so I had to try them. Not my favourite – but they are chocolate covered in chocolate, so whats not to love?

After an afternoon of eating (....there is a theme here....) – Geri & Sophie were ready to head off to their NYE celebrations.

We had somehow convinced Graeme to take us to Kare Kare Beach where the movie “The Piano” was filmed, and forego his NYE celebrations with friends.

The drive there was quite lovely. We headed up the mountain, which is similar to the Dandenong Ranges where we live, only we don't have water views like they do up there! Spectacular! The foliage started to get thicker and more sub tropical the further we head to the west coast. Its very steep and mountainous and the roads are very windy. It was only like a 40km drive, but it took well over an hour due to the roads.

We parked at the car park and followed the stream towards the beach. We had to cross through the stream, so luckily we were wearing thongs and shorts! It wasn't too deep – came up to our knee's.

WOW – its a black sand beach and a HUGE one at that. The sand went on and on and on and on before it got to the water. The mountains surrounding this beach were steep and full of lush green vegetation.

Off to the LHS of the beach was a rock formation just where the waves were crashing. It looked like low tide turning. The rock formation looked like a pyramid from the side we were standing.

Off to the RHS where the steepest mountains were, we believe there is a large waterfall. As it was miles away and we were there to shoot the rock at sunset, we gave it a miss and told ourselves when we come back next time we'll come earlier and visit the waterfall.

The wind was coming from behind us – from inland. So an off shore breeze. Breeze...hmmm… not the right word for it – as it was blowing quite hard. It was picking up the dry loose sand from miles away and whipping it up along the beach, so by the time it got to us, it was sand blasting our ankles. It was tolerable – not pleasant, but tolerable. It seemed to come in bursts where the wind would howl and then die down for a few minutes and repeat.

We set up the cameras and decided on our compositions and started to take some shots. It was still too early for sunset and the sun was sitting quite high. Steve took this time to give Graeme some tuition in photography.

I was taking some long shutter exposures, but the wind was getting stronger and moving the camera around too much, so I had to abort that. I stupidly kept taking panorama's, which wont stitch together with the ocean moving like it was. Oh well.

The sun started to get lower and we were getting excited. We thought it could be a good sunset it the upper clouds were to light up.

Unfortunately the wind was howling by this time and it was constant. No breaks in it at all. The sand blasting of our feet was now reaching our calves, and Steve's camera & tripod were blown over in the wind – smack straight into the sand.  Thank god it was alright.  

The wind got worse, to the point where we couldn't take photos. The extreme pain we were experiencing was not fun. We were all yelling in pain as each blast came through stronger than the last one. We thought our legs were bleeding after one extreme blast from the sand.

Just as the sun hit the horizon we had to leave. We pain was too much, and the wind too strong.

We were gutted, we finally had clouds in the sky and what looked like would be a great sunset, and the bloody wind & sand was our enemy this time.

As we made our way up the beach and further away from the ocean, we turned around to see the most amazing sunset!! OMG – this is the stuff dreams are made of, and we couldn't capture it with the rock like we wanted! Howls of disbelief were heard above the howling winds!

I stopped to stare and take a video and then rattled off a few shots … what the heck. No award winning photos here, but the colour in the sky was something to behold. The colour stayed in the sky for about 30mins before disappearing into the darkness.

I would have taken the 200mm lens out, but the wind and sand was still blowing hard up here too - there was so escape, although the sand blasting of the legs had calmed down up here.

WOW! We will be back here again. Not sure when, and when we do we'll come prepared – a full body welding suit might do the trick to stop the pain of the sand blasting!! ha ha ha

Graeme drove us back home. We were all shattered. Steve and I stayed home to clean our camera gear and check our photos, whilst Graeme continued on for NYE.

Happy New Year everyone!!