Day 19: Whangarei to Camp Waipu Cove (408-425)
Today I left camp at 7 am and took the waterfall and river walk to downtown Whangarei to catch the bus to Ruakaka. The bus was about an hour late, so I arrived in Ruakaka close to 11. I had to walk about 3 kilometers down the highway to reach the trail on the beach. I skipped about 8 km of the trail by taking the bus, but the less beach walking the better. It's pretty hard on your feet. As I was getting ready to start the beach I talked with a nice elderly couple. And a few kilometers down the beach I walked by a pair of ladies. They really liked my umbrella I was using to avoid the sun and had seen other TA trampers.
I was off the beach by 1 and made it to Waipu not too long after. I bought a milkshake. It was delicious after a warm morning and afternoon! On my way out of town I walked into a gallery that looked interesting and talked with a nice lady working there.
Eventually I made it to Camp Waipu Cove, where I planned to stay for the night. After getting all set up, Marjolein messaged me asking where I was. By 7:30 she was at the camp too! We ate dinner and went to the bar down the street and caught up with how our last few days had gone.
Tomorrow hopefully we'll start early and make it to Mangawhai Heads.
Morning mangrove walk on the way to the tidal basin
A bee and a pohutukawa flower on the way to the Tidal Basin
This is a playground in Whangarei. Most of the playgrounds I've seen in NZ have these fabric covers over them. I'm guessing it's to block the sun.
Pak 'n Save. Only my favorite grocery store in NZ. It's a little less expensive than the others.
These adorable figures lined the entire school fence in Ruakaka.
More beach walking
A fun sign in Waipu
Sheep!
Marjolein and my campsite for the night.