Relaxing on Barrier
January 30th, 2012 at 2:00 pm by David Farrar
I’m always in two minds about posting about Great Barrier Island, as I’m worried too many people might start holidaying there, making it harder for me to holiday there. But it really is an iconic part of New Zealand that provide world class beauty, just 30 minutes flying from Auckland.
Myself and three friends stayed at Blind Bay, and you can see the view from the balcony. The weather was so nice, that we were able to drink and play cards out on the balcony until close to midnight. One can never get sick of views like that.
A couple of the locals very kindly took us out fishing over the weekend. This is their dog Max who just loves being out on the water.
Even I managed to catch a couple of fish, including this parrotfish. We also caught lots of snapper, which we had for dinner.
I loved this sight of the dog being towed along in his own boat.
After the fishing, we went to this very remote bay (basically only accessible by boat or a two hour walk) and it really was a piece of paradise. The water was wonderful.
Yum. I can never get enough crayfish. It was a perfect end to a great day out.
Also love the sunset over Blind Bay.
I love living in Wellington, and don’t think I would ever live in Auckland. But if I did, a big plus would be being able to spend more time on the Barrier. The locals are so absolutely friendly, and the scenery so wonderful.
January 30th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Nice to see you wearing that Tilley Hat again David. Good thing they have the old chin strap eh
[DPF: Actually a different hat this time. Dad repossessed his Tilley hat
]
Vote:January 30th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
pretty sure that’s a scarlet parrot fish (or scarlet wrasse), not a puffer fish
)
[DPF: Weird. I thought I typed parrotfish, because that is what I meant to type. Now corrected]
Vote:January 30th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
OMG, you’ve just been to Africa for a holiday, and now another one? Your company must be making a packet!
[DPF: Africa did cost a lot, but that was a once every three years type holiday. Barrier doesn't cost much to get to or stay on, if traveling with friends]
Vote:January 30th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
I sure hope that you took the time to teach the locals about the value to the NZ economy of mining their island.
Vote:January 30th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Great Barrier has no reticulated electricity or running water, sells the most expensive petrol in the country, has less than half a dozen places to dine out, 95% of the roads are unsealed, rutted and full of pot holes which is why all the rental cars are four-wheel drive, it has more un-registered and unwarranted and therefore more unsafe cars on the road that even the East Cape, and it is a haven for drug users and other lawless society drop-outs who pay no tax but take the welfare payments. Other than that, it is a backward parasitic island that does not contribute anything to the New Zealand economy. Oh, and because it has no mains electricity it is also NZ’s biggest toxic dumping ground for exhausted deep-charge battery cells that are the size of a small beer fridge.
Vote:January 31st, 2012 at 12:41 am
It’s photos like that (and those from friends at various holiday spots) which are motivating me to return to NZ
Vote:January 31st, 2012 at 10:31 am
Chris, get a life and while you’re at it try and sort out truth from fantasy. There’s plenty of places to dineout on Great Barrier Island from top class restaurants with top class chefs to cafes serving tasty, mostly organic home-grown food. The roads are virtually all sealed now, you don’t need a 4WD to get around. It is the most community oriented society I have ever lived in with selfless, kind, willing people who look after one another. Not perfect, where is? The island is beautiful, rugged, offers the opportunity to experience regenerating native forest, see and hear birds not found anywhere else in NZ and the beaches are superb.
[DPF: It is the community that I love most of all. The scenery is magnificent but the people are what make Barrier so great.]
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