Machines on the photo issue boarding passes if a ticket was bought online. Convenient for those who travel with no luggage on domestic airlines.
My Kiwi Experience East As tour was starting in Taupo, so I decided to take a flight Auckland-Taupo to save time and just for fun, I don't remember when I was on a small plane last time.

A small aircraft, 19 seats. The flight to Taupo took 45 minutes.
There is no landing stripe in Taupo so you have to skydive to get off the plane. Ok, just kidding. :) You get nice views of Taupo when landing.

On arrival to Taupo our plane expanded and turned into Mcdonalds. :)

Lake Taupo is the biggest lake in Austalasia and New Zealand in particular. So at some stage you have to cross the lake when you go shopping. :)

Diver in the background collects golf balls from the bottom of the lake. There is a floating golf platform nearby, people trying to strike a ball from the shore.
Not the best diving experience when not only golf balls but rocks fall from the sky. =8)

Guys are having fun. The one under the trolley begged for bigger stones for his own safety because small ones can get through the mesh. :)

Don't remember the name of this place now. Somewhere not far from Taupo on the way to Napier.

Ex prison turned into hostel. Unfortunately we didn't stay here but those who wanted to stay in Napier could.

Hawkes Bay area is famous for vineyards, art and good weather.

Beautiful maiden from a Maori legend

We stopped here for an hour. Those who wanted could stay for a few days and hop on the next bus.

We passed Gisborne and landed in Surf Chalet Lodge facing a beautiful beach.
I took a surf lesson here.

A very nice groovy funky place, surfers lair. :) Very close to the beach.

Whale Rider was filmed here.
You can spot a little whale rider figure on the roof of the marae.

600 meters long. East Coast historical landmark. The construction was finished in 1929. Today the wharf is under reconstruction.

Our next stop is a farm stay in Rangitukia. Bone carving and horse riding were waiting for us.

Our bone carving tutor Kizz.
We chose a design and made our own maori bone carvings.

All the hard work is behind.

I took a walk to the beach through surrounding hills.

A river nearby carries trunks to the ocean and the waves throw the wood back to the shore.
We went horse riding on that beach and through nearby hills. It was my first time horse riding, I loved it. Good fun, great views.

If you have an understanding of Te Whariki me Te Korowai and enjoy working with mokopuna then this job might be for you.

First place in the world to see the sun.

Checking the road. On the way from East Cape lighthouse.

There was a note inside the church apologising for smell due to the penguins nesting under the church. Church stands by the ocean. Frankly, I didn't notice any strange smell, may be penguins were on vacation. :)

Our last overnight stop on the East As tour with cheerful O'Brian family.
I went kayaking here (some nice rock formations around) and then had a dip in a hot tub heated by the girls who didn't leave the tub for hours!

Staged by Marama. :)

One of the joys of life of a starving traveller. :)

Sunshine, ocean, exercise. Life is a holiday resort. :)

Kiwi Experience, East As