The days are getting warmer and today there is not a cloud in the sky. You just couldn't ask for anything better.
We had a chat with our neighbors Barry and Elaine before leaving the park and trying to find our first destination of the day. The Havelock North Farmers Market runs every Saturday with fresh local grown produce and apparently is pretty big. After getting lost and turned around a couple of times we finally found it according to the sign. However the sign also said "Opens December 4". I guess summer isn't here after all.
We then drove out to "Te Mata Peak". It is the highest point around at 400 meters and gives a great view of the entire area. You can drive part way and hike up the rest or you can drive the entire way. We decided to drive much to Kathy's chagrin. The guide book says "Careful - Road narrows with many switchbacks and no guardrails"
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| Just don't look down |
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| Drive to Te Mata Peak |
Kathy had a minor panic attack when she looked down and I thought she was going to jump out a couple of times. It didn't help when I stalled the van on some of the switchbacks. However we made it to the top and the view was spectacular.
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| Napier and Hawkes Bay |
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| Hastings, NZ |
We made the much easier drive down and drove into Havelock North for lunch and a stroll around town. I would like to say we discovered Jackson's Bakery and the best pies in New Zealand but I would be lying. Thanks Gord, they were goooooooood, I had two!!! My boyish figure will never be the same.
After lunch we strolled around the downtown area which Kathy said reminded her of Unionville, Ontario. It is a small center outside of a larger area filled with both locals and tourists and every cafe was busy.
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| Havelock North |
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| Havelock North |
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| The Blues Brothers are alive and well in NZ |
We left Havelock North and decided to head north. There was a section of Hawkes Bay that we had not seen so we jumped on Hwy 2 which is called the Pacific Coast Highway. This drive was just about scenery as we didn't have an agenda or anything particular we wanted to see. We thought we would drive to Mahia Beach, spend the night and drive back tomorrow.
The majority of the drive was inland and as the coastal area is pretty rugged we did a fair amount of ups and downs. This gave us some nice vistas.
When we got our first site of Mahia Beach I would have to classify it as one of those WOW moments. We were on a vista and the Beach, Blue Ocean Water and Mahia Peninsula were spread out before us.
It was late when we finally checked into a campsite so we had supper and then just relaxed. Kathy did manage to take a few shots (21) of the evening sky.
Sunday was another glorious day and as I sit here and write the blog I wonder where the day went. We left the campsite around 10AM and drove to the other side of Mahia Peninsula for a look at the Pacific Ocean side.
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| Pacific Side of Mahia Peninsula |
Shortly after leaving the peninsula there was a slight delay caused by slow moving traffic.
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| Get along little doggy. |
We managed to get around them and continued on to the main highway where we turned south for the drive back to Napier. We did stop for a few pictures along the way.
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| Even the cows like the view. |
We took a break for lunch and stopped at Lake Tutira Wildlife Refuge. An island on the lake houses a bird sanctuary and wildlife refuge. I only took a couple of pictures.
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| Pukeka |
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| White Faced Heron |
There was also a delay when we reached the Mangapukaho Scenic Reserve and had to travel through the gorge. The speed was a little slower as the road got a little more intimate.
We finally reached Napier and made our way to Cape Kidnappers. The legend has it that one of Captain Cooks men had his son kidnapped by the natives while anchored off the Cape. The rescue attempt was successful and hence the name.
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| Cape Kidnappers |
The stop at Cape Kidnappers wasn't very long as the wind had started to pick up and there wasn't very much to look at. The real interest point on Cape Kidnappers is the Gannet Colony which is one of the largest if not the largest in New Zealand. We decided to forgo the tour in favor of relaxing at our campsite. So that is where we headed.
We stopped for the night at Waimarama Beach which is south of Cape Kidnappers. When we arrived at the camp we went for a walk and found the beach to be very long and very nice.
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| Wairarama Beach |
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| Wairarama Beach |
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| Bare Island |
I did get a little excited when we first walked onto the beach. I thought I just might get another pie.
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It was not to be.
We finished our walk and returned to the van for supper and a relaxing evening. Tomorrow we are leaving the area and heading for Wellington
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