Ocean Beach road follows the coast all the way to Wellington--if you're brave enough to cross numerous streams, washouts, and sand-drifts. We tested the truck with a couple creek crossings and then decided we'd better not push it on our first day out. We camped out and Mac shorecasted late into the evening. Below: Lake Wairarapa is the third largest on the North Island. It's less of a lake than a giant swamp/wetland, and DOC has been good enough to build a walking trail through an area called Boggy Ponds. There was more bird life here than anywhere I've seen in NZ, and it is an absolute must for any birders coming here. We saw the rare, endangered Australasian bitterns in flight on two occasions. Below you can see their giant tracks juxtaposed against Mac's hand. That was a real treat, as bitterns are very secretive and usually you just hear their calls. | |
...
and siennaandmac come running from fishing and hiking and it's
spring!
I'm thinking of you, Cambria, as I write this! :)