Day 20: Camp Waipu Cove to Mangawhai Backpackers (425-449)
Marjolein and I left the campsite around 7. We had to walk about a kilometer and a half to get back on the trail. Once we were back on the TA we had some road walking to a forestry road. Then forestry road to a few kilometers of a bush track. We met a man who told us there were 2 TA trampers about an hour ahead of us. It was a nice trail with beautiful views of the coast. But it wasn't long before we popped out on a road. And after a few road kilometers we were on a farm hiking by sheep and cows.
The hiking for the day ended with the Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway and a kilometer on the beach. The Cliffs Walkway has been one of my favorite so far. It was gorgeous looking down over the blue ocean water through pohutukawa trees.
On our way to the hostel, Marjolein and I stopped at a bakery. As we were eating our snacks we saw two girls with backpacks show up and asked them if they were TA hikers. They were the two we had been flowing! Puffpuff (I think) from the U.K. and Julia (I know it started with a J, but it may not be Julia), from eastern Canada. They were so nice and met hiking the PCT.
We alll talked for a bit before they continued on, and then Majorlien and I checking in to our hostel. The lady running it had muffins for us! They were carrot cake a delicious.
After unpacking, we headed to the store and to get fish and chips. Then we repacked and were ready for bed. We'll probably both be in Auckland for Christmas, so that will be fun.
Side note, the wifi here has definitely been the best on my trip so far!
View from the forestry road
Some of today's bush track
Another beautiful view today
Mangawhai Cliffs track
Marjolein on the Mangawhai Cliffs
The birds were scared of me
The TA trampers we met today!
Mangawhai Backpackers for the night.