New Zealand Day 14

A short walk today but challenging - we had to meet a time schedule and cross a tidal inlet and creek. 

We started with an early continental breakfast at the Awaroa Lodge so that we would get to the tidal crossings at low tide, which was at 8:30 this morning.  We and everyone else going north on the trail were on the same schedule, so we saw several large groups of trampers.  

The first half-mile from the Lodge was along a grass covered airstrip.

We next crossed a small stream and walked along on the edge of a breakwater protecting some private homes.  The trail continued briefly inland and then across a couple of rivers or streams to a large tidal basin.  Most everyone had prepared for the crossings wearing crocs or similar foot wear. (Many of the trekkers were already expecting rain so had attached their pack covers.)

Our view of the tidal basin; during high tide it is completely covered in water.

One of several groups crossing ahead of us.

Here Ron, Betsy, Jan, Leslie and Dennis are crossing the first river.  The walking was pretty easy and the depth was only about a foot or so.  Unfortunately, after this rather pleasant wading came an expanse of "shoe sucking" mud.  I almost fell a couple of times (but instead had to put my hand down into the mud) because one of my crocs sank several inches into the mud and resisted lifting of that foot.  Leslie did sacrifice an old Keen sandal to the river gods.  After slogging through the mud (the tip was to walk where there were lots of broken shells), we crossed another river/stream.  The consistent flow of water at these places washes away all the mud and leaves sand which is firmer.

Another attempt to photograph "separation granite."

The next part of the trek was through forest and along streams with two ascents, one about 200 feet and the second up near 400 feet.  At Goat Beach after the first ascent, we scrambled down over some boulders and walked about a kilometer on the sand.   

After the second, steep, ascent, we passed by Skinner Point and had a view of where we ended today at Totaranui.

The rocks just below Skinner Point and the start of the Totaranui Beach front.

A Pukeko, otherwise known as an Australasian Swamp Hen, a rather common bird which is found throughout NZ and not threatened.

Varis arriving at Totaranui via a water taxi along with our luggage.

We hiked only about 4 miles today, but the time involved crossing the Awaroa Inlet, cleaning and drying our feet and getting back into hiking boots made a dent in our schedule.

We were to arrive no later than 11:00 am so that we could be picked up by a driver (Allie) and van who transferred us to the coastal town of Pohara and our lodging at Ratanui Lodge.  This village is west of Abel Tasman Park and faces north on the Mohua Golden Bay.  Allie was a new driver for the company but knew the area well.

By 12:30 pm, we were checked in to our rather posh motel across from the beachfront.  It started sprinkling about the time we arrived at Totaranui, rained during the drive to Pohara, and continued for the afternoon.  We tucked up in our rooms, enjoying our packed lunches with hot tea, then resting, reading, etc. 

Late afternoon Betsy and I went out in the rain, with umbrellas, to explore the town.  There was a nice gravel path along the dunes fronting on the ocean, but other than that, nothing but holiday homes and the Top 10 campground.  The campground was full of very large tents and rain flys, and a few trailers.  We had happy hour in the hotel's restaurant, then dinner.  The staff was very attentive; constantly refilling the water glasses and asking if we wanted more drinks.  Most of our party had delicious King salmon and finished with various rich desserts.

We settled our bills immediately after dining, since we have an early start tomorrow - breakfast (preordered) at 7:15 am, followed by van pickup at 8 am to take us to the start point.  The trek is about 15 km tomorrow with a couple of ascents, and an optional 2 km extension.  We actually are walking back to Totaranui, then meeting a water taxi back to Marahua and getting a van ride back to Nelson.  It will be a long day and probably no blog.