http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37104 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37104 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37103 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37103 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34563 The Poor Knights Islands and the waters around them are protected by 900m no fishing zone so the size of fish shoals can be quite staggering. Equally the diversity of soft corals growing on the walls and pinnacles, not to mention the animals that inhabit them, make diving there a unique experience. Larger predators, including Manta rays, Hammerhead sharks and even Killer Whales have been spotted there on occasion.
Watching the sun set over the islands with a sky full of returning seabirds finished off a fabulous day's diving.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34563 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32612 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32612 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32275 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32275 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31322 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31322 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31321 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31321 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31314 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31314 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31291 The next day we could swim in the ocean and collect green lipped muscles which were cooked and eaten on board. Our daughter loved this and we saw her confidence grow as she swam in the water. We then moored up at one of the islands and went walking. As we kayaked back to The Rock we were joined by some dolphins which were very playful. We then headed back to shore. All in all one of the best things we have ever done and we met so many interesting people from all over the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31061 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31061 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31060 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31060 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31014 Pretty perfect!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31014 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30608 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30608 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30416 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30416 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29988 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29988 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29854 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29854 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29182 Ngawha features eight bubbling thermal pools which, unlike other more popular spas, are not cleaned or sanitised for cosmetic appearance but left as they have always been thereby retaining the essential restorative qualities contained in the variety of salts and minerals present in the muddy waters which fluctuate in colour from creamy white to deep black and in temperature from a tepid 26c to a hot 40c.
Although this unique resource is under promoted in NZ it is very popular with Maori families who are under no illusions as to the healing properties of these pools and encourage willing and adventurous visitors to daub their bodies in mud and dry naturally before showering off and emerging refreshed and invigorated by the experience. Highly recommended!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29182