Sixteenth Entry

Three blogs in one day? Is it possible? (As it turns out, the internet connection in Dunedin Prevented me from setting a new record, so after a slight delay, here it is;)

The day after arriving in Motueka, we had the Abel Tasman National Park area to explore, but that was not accessible by automobile, and the cost for getting there by boat was prohibitive, so we decided instead to see if we could find the seal colony that was supposed to be located on the furthest north shore of the South Island.

These are the pictures of that day, including some of the road there, which was some of the toughest yet that we have travailed (not a typo.)

To begin our morning off in Motueka, we saw this awesome looking church, which begged for a picture to be taken. There were church buildings all up and down the main street of Motueka. Curiously, however, most of them seem to have been closed down as churches, and now act as store fronts for various spiritualism businesses, such as Gothic arts and fortune-telling shops.

Old Presbyterian Church building, Motueka, NZ

Immediately north of Motueka, is one of New Zealand's greatest assets, the Abel Tasman National Park. It is accessible only by boat or walking, except in one rugged road located on its northern end, reachable through the town of Takaka. Between Motueka on the south, and Takaka, on the north end of the park, you have a road which traverses Takaka Hill, also known as the Marble Mountain. This is one of the steepest and twistiest hill roads in all of New Zealand, in my opinion. Below, you can see a photo, about 1/3 of the way up the south side of the hill, looking back over the vineyards and farmland just north of Motueka, as well as Motueka in the background, with the sea beyond it.

Takaka Hill, Looking Southward toward Motueka.

Abel Tasman Park area, NZ

On top of Takaka Hill, there is access to guided cave tours, although we were not there at the right time, and so we continued our journey northward. Below you can see a view of part of the Abel Tasman Park from the summit of "Marble Mountain."  More info can be found at; http://www.kingslandcourt.co.nz/Nelson+Region/Takaka+Hill.html

The view from the Caves area, atop "Marble Mountain"

Abel Tasman Park, NZ

Looking north, on the far side of Takaka Hill, you can see the Golden Bay area. Below, you can see the farmland just inland from the coastal town of Takaka, which is to the right of this photo.

View of Farmland, west of Takaka

Golden Bay Area, (Upper Takaka & Uruwhenua), NZ

While overlooking this huge valley, we happened to spy one of Dwight's friends, a local hang glider, taking advantage of some awesome updrafts, after having launched himself from somewhere on the 760 meter-high (2493 ft.) mountain that is Takaka Hill. Eat your heart out, Dwight!

Hang Glider over Golden Bay Area, with mountains of the Kahurangi Range in the background

Upper Takaka & Uruwhenua, NZ

The remnants of an old pier can be seen below, just as you approach the access road to Farewell Spit, the northernmost point on the South Island.

Old Pier remains, Farewell Spit, NZ

This photo is taken just as the road splits, with Farewell Spit being to the right, while our destination, the Archway Islands, was along the Wharariki Road to the left--one of the very few gravel roads we traveled on in New Zealand.

 Beach leading to Farewell Spit, NZ

These two kayakers, we photographed from the causeway leading to Farewell Spit.

 Kayakers enjoying the day in Farewell Spit Lagoon

Puponga, NZ

The magnitude of their inhospitable nature at Farewell Spit, was surpassed only by their ignorance of the subtle nuances of the English language...unless that is, their beverages are capable of independent movement...

 Unfriendly, misspelled sign outside the Cafe at Farewell Spit

 (The antithesis to Rush Munro's)

Having gotten over our cool treatment, we took the picture below of Farewell Spit from in front of the cafe. Notice the black swans (take my word for it) in the water in the foreground on the right?

Farewell Spit, Puponga, NZ

Below, you see the Wharariki Road to the Archway Islands

 

 Along the road to Archway Islands and the seal colony

Puponga Area, NZ

On Wharariki Road, we also saw this cool rock formation below, aptly named "Old Man Rock" by the locals.

 Old Man Rock, on the road to the Archway Islands, NZ

Below can be seen part of the pathway to the Archway Islands, with the farmland in the foreground, and the sea just on the horizon in the middle.

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Continuing along the same path, we begin to see one of the Archway Islands, with a slightly hazy mist shrouding it partially from our view, which could be blowing sand or sea-mist from the violent surf.

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Another shot along the same path

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Looking back inland along the pathway, we were delighted by the view below of the pastoral scenery.

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Soon the country pathway became a forest walk through native trees.

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Emerging from the trees, we saw this sight, below.

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Colleen holds on to her hat out of necessity, due to the raging winds we experienced once exposed to the winds on the beach.

 Archway Islands Beach, Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Below, you may just be able to pick up the sand rivulets as they fly, suspended by the wind, above the dunes somewhat like wispy snow being blown across snow drifts on the cold Canadian prairie.

Sand dunes being formed, Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

 Below, we see Cal's first encounter with the dreaded New Zealand brain-sucker sea-monster

 One of the dangers along the beach

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

Immune to its effects, in the end, Cal emerges victorious!

Victory dance over the carcass of a vanquished foe,

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

 The Tasman Sea, vents its fury,
 Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

The waves relentlessly blast the shoreline in the crevasse through which the Wharariki River flows to the sea, from the right of the picture below.

River mouth of the Wharareki, 

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

The Wharariki River, the source of all the sand in the dunes, as it wends its way to the sea. What is not known by many, is that coastal sand dunes are formed from the silt that river transport into the sea from the soil erosion they cause as they journey seaward. This silt, once it reaches the sea, is then thrown back onto the land by the wind that blows it out of the evaporating frothy spray you see coming off the breakers as they break near the shore. Depending on the amount of silt, coupled with the wind intensity, sand dunes develop at differing rates at the mouths of coastal rivers.

 Whararaiki River

Puponga Farm Park Recreational Reserve, Puponga, NZ

All-in-all, we were unable to detect any seals at the seal colony at the Archway Islands, due to the high winds that day, but that did not spoil our fun, as we experienced what has to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

On our way back from the Archway Islands, we stopped at this unique looking cafe, called the Mussel Inn. The lady at the "i-site" in Motueka--New Zealand's tourist information kiosks that are dotted liberally throughout both Islands--recommended this quaint place she goes to for good cafe food and a unique atmosphere. The Mussel Inn is, confusingly, not an inn, but a bar/cafe/music theatre. Intrigued, we stopped in for a tea, while the kids played on the tire swing and watched the semi-tame bird-life there. (Of course all honky-tonks have tire swings--didn't ya' know?) You can find info on it at; http://www.musselinn.co.nz/about.htm  Below you can see the stage in the background, with its unique, hand-signed photos and music of the various artistswho have played there over the years (est. 1992.)

A patron ordering his choice of beverage at the Mussel Inn, Onekaka, NZ

Cal and Cailin havin' a swingin' good time

Onekaka, NZ

Against the front wall of the cafe, you can see two of the daily locals, just popped in for a pint after a long hard day of joinery work. (We saw their vehicles in the parking lot.) EVERYONE here knocks off work at five sharp, unless they're shift workers. Even the i-sites close at 4 o'clock sharp!

Two regular patrons share a pint, with the famous defunct cell-phone pole on the right

Onekaka, NZ



 In our unsuccessful attempt to reach Totaranui beach, we ran across this unique rock formation along the Abel Tasman Drive, between Pokaka Beach and Tata Beach. What wasn't apparent when we took this photo, was that the road actually passes through that rocky crag.

Abel Tasman Drive, going through the point between Limestone and Ligar Bays
Golden Bay Area, NZ

 Below can be seen Tata Beach, which although it was picturesque, was not near as inviting to the swimmer as the shores of Mount Maunganui in the North Island, due to its relatively frigid waters.

 Tata Beach, Tata Bay, NZ

While we were at Tata beach, we noticed this extremely interesting piece of permanent furniture, which we soon discerned was a memorial to a young mother who had died tragically, of cancer, having refused treatment in order to protect the baby she was carrying. Below are pictures of her amazing monument.

Awesome detail of the Memorial to Kelly Jane Bannister, at Tata Beach
For more info on this courageous lady, visit; http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAR44_Sit_and_Remember_Takaka_South_Island_New_Zealand

One of the less ornate benches lining Tata Beach, with evening beach strollers in the background

Tata Beach in the evening, Golden Bay Area, NZ




Another long day done, and I believe it's time to say "ta-ta for now, folks!

Tata Bay, near sunset, Tata Beach, NZ


~*~