Mole's favourite places - Virtual Reward 4.0
At the point of receiving this virtual reward cache we had been geocaching for almost 20 years. Geocaching has taken us to many wonderful locations and we use it as a tourist guide on many of the trips abroad that we have taken.
In Jan/Feb 2024 we were on our third trip over to New Zealand. We have come to love the country for many reasons and look forward to every time we come over and visit.
We had been travelling around for just over a month, on both Islands and it was near the end of this trip when we found ourselves at this location - We had stopped off to pick up a trad (GC8GM4X) but before we got to look for the cache we spotted a pod of dolphins a little way off from the shore, near to the island (called Panau Island or Rileys Lookout). This had been the first time on that trip that we had managed to see any dolphins and we were in for a real treat. We spotted 3 different pods and of course the inevitable boats turned up - one in particular where the group on board all got into the water to swim with them. We ended up watching the dolphins for about an hour and they treated us with a whole show of jumping and flipping, it was magnificent and took us to our ‘happy place’ feeling content and at peace. We also spotted a sealion bouncing around the rocks just by the shore and amusingly a duck with her 5 ducklings swimming around in one of the rockpools.
The view across the bay here in both directions is gorgeous too. We almost forgot about the cache - but once found we then realised this would be the ideal place to put our virtual so we could be reminded of our wonderful experience every time we get a log with other cachers' stories and photographs. We hope you enjoy your visit and are as lucky as we were.
We decided that in placing the virtual here in New Zealand - the theme around this placement would be "My Favourite Location"
However we knew for us came the hard bit - where do we choose
In New Zealand we have come to enjoy so many different places ...
Coromandel Peninsular
Cape Reinga
Lake Taupo
The Glaciers at Franz Josef (among others)
The views and lakes near Mount Cook
Milford Sound
The beaches at ... well, all over really so many to choose from.
and the many historic locations
Though there are so many other places we could have chosen, because of our dolphin experience, this was where we decided to place it.
GZ is a good place to park - 30m or so to the west you will see a piece of artwork - this is one of four pouwhenua that can be found dotted along the Kaikōura coastline, each represent an ancestor who had connections to the area. Here we have Te Ruahikihiki who was a chief at Omihi Pā and belonged to the hapu Ngāti Kuri. He moved south and settled in Taumutu, by Lake Ellesmere, and so his carving faces in that direction.
Now - to claim this virtual there will be 2 questions to answer and photos to add to your log
The Questions
Near the artwork you will see some info boards/pillars - Look on the smaller pillar, with the information about Te Ruahikihiki
Q1. In the English translation section - on line 6 what are the first two words ?
Now take a look at the bigger infomation board titled 'Raramai'
Q2. Looking at the vertical metal framework on the right hand side, how many silver coloured screwheads are there ? (Not the rusting boltheads)
Photo 1 - Please take a photo with you or something with your geocaching name on it with Panau Island in the background (see photo)
Photo 2 - Optional - but in the spirit of the theme of this virtual, please add another photo of your 'favourite location' with a brief explanation as to where it is and why it is your favourite place.
Optional - Also it would be interesting to know if you managed to see any dolphins when you visited this cache.
Please email/message us with the answers BEFORE you log the cache - once you have sent the 2 answers please then log your find and add the photos to the log (do not send us the photo - add it to your log)
Do not log finds before you have sent any answers and ensure your message/email has actually been sent. Any finds where answers have not been received will be deleted
If there any issues with the answers or photos we will message you
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.