Magical Mangawhai
While we were sad to bid farewell to our home in Hahei, we were impressed by our new location in Mangawhai Heads , a beach and cliffside community just 80k north of Auckland. It is a sleepy little community with humble bachs and huge holiday homes. Our first morning we went for scenic cliffttop walk ,with breathtaking views ( and a long climb to get them) over the sea. After a cooling swim in the estuary, far from the pounding surf, I treated Griz to his favorite meal "salt and pepper squid" at a local cafe. Our bach is a charming old home, with a wraparound porch and a fabulous view of the estuary. On our second day we went snorkelling at Goat Island Marine Reserve, an area that had been a marine park since the early 70's. Griz was concerned about getting cold in the ocean water,so he rented an awesome thermal, bouyant wetsuit. He was so attractive, the fish and the other tourists were all over him. Isn't he cute? The countryside around Mangawhai is bucolic: long winding roads, farms with cows and sheep and the most bizarre road signs we have ever seen. The roads are particularly windy and steep here, and, as tourists we drive extremely slowly, much to the chagrin of the locals, anxious to get to their bachs, their beer, or whatever. We couldn't help but laugh at one bizarre road sign, indicating the speed limit was 100k ( something we have not yet reached out here) just before a 180 degree hairpin turn. Go figure!
While we were sad to bid farewell to our home in Hahei, we were impressed by our new location in Mangawhai Heads , a beach and cliffside community just 80k north of Auckland. It is a sleepy little community with humble bachs and huge holiday homes. Our first morning we went for scenic cliffttop walk ,with breathtaking views ( and a long climb to get them) over the sea. After a cooling swim in the estuary, far from the pounding surf, I treated Griz to his favorite meal "salt and pepper squid" at a local cafe. Our bach is a charming old home, with a wraparound porch and a fabulous view of the estuary. On our second day we went snorkelling at Goat Island Marine Reserve, an area that had been a marine park since the early 70's. Griz was concerned about getting cold in the ocean water,so he rented an awesome thermal, bouyant wetsuit. He was so attractive, the fish and the other tourists were all over him. Isn't he cute? The countryside around Mangawhai is bucolic: long winding roads, farms with cows and sheep and the most bizarre road signs we have ever seen. The roads are particularly windy and steep here, and, as tourists we drive extremely slowly, much to the chagrin of the locals, anxious to get to their bachs, their beer, or whatever. We couldn't help but laugh at one bizarre road sign, indicating the speed limit was 100k ( something we have not yet reached out here) just before a 180 degree hairpin turn. Go figure!
2 comments:
Dear Ruth and Chuck:
How encouraging and hopeful are your photos. I haven't read all your travelogue but the pictures remind me I agreed to skip New Zealand in May -- what was I thinking?? You both look well and relaxed. What fabulous scenery, beaches, wildlife, accommodations, ..... it looks wonderful. It makes our staying in this clime nonsensical -- it's another wintry, miserable, grey day here so your pictures were a happy reprieve.
We miss you and hope to see you soon with all the firsthand reports of your travels. Take care of each other. Love, D
The scenery is breath-taking--nice shots or both of you! Love the shot of the carrot!
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