Mount Maunganui

One of our favorite places on the north island is Mt. Maunganui, on the east coast of the island.  It's on a peninsula, surrounded by the ocean and Pilot Bay.  It's a beautiful place with a vacation "vibe' that's reminiscent of Hawaii.  

John, Jo, Lee and I spent three days there and had a wonderful time.  The weather was spectacular, our motel room had a view of Pilot Bay, several cruise ships came and went while we were there and we enjoyed great food and company there.  Lee had made contact with Neil Taylor while were in Hamilton, and he lives in Tauranga, just across Pilot Bay.  Lee and Neil had met in Fiji with Bryan in 1974.  Lee hadn't seen Neil since the mid '80's, so it was great to catch up with him.  Neil took us sight-seeing, too, so we got to see areas that we hadn't seen before.

View of Mt. Maunganui

Stand-up paddlers on Pilot Bay

Our picnic table - right outside our room.  We met lots of nice people as we sat out there with our wine and appetizers

Watching the cruise ships leave in the evening.  These were two Princes Cruise Line ships

The walk around the Mount - just beautiful!

Jo, John and Neil

Pat, Lee and Neil

On the walk around the Mount

A cruise ship coming in!

Neil took us to a quarry that had been turned into gardens and we found this amazing sculpture of a dragon.

Beach walk and sea glass search!

Another beautiful beach scene near Tauranga