Rarangi Bay Hike Pictures

I gave up on uploading pictures for the last blog.  I had a pretty good connection on the Vodaphone gadget, but had to sit on the apartment balcony to get it.  In a stiff cold southerly wind, it was taking far too long, so I have retreated to the Seabreeze cafe.

This is Monkey Bay, about a ten minute climb up from Rarangi Beach.  And, this is White Bay below.

 White Bay is a nice recreation area with a caravan camping site, mowed picnic grounds, picnic tables, toilets, overnight accomodations for rent, and several NZ families enjoying a warm sunny Saturday.  Imagine our surprise as we came down off the trail to the sound of children screaming and laughing on the beach.  The family on the right are fishing, the youngest one casting expertly out into the surf. The water is very cold, and no one swims without a wet suit.  Around the rocky headland to the west is Monkey Bay.

Here's the pine forest on the trail to and from White Bay.  This track is not in any of the trail information we've read, and we had no idea White Bay was such a popular place.  New Zealand is full of lovely surprises, probably only known to the locals.  They are glad to share, but you have to ask. 

Manuka forest along the trail.  There was a cool breeze, bell birds singing, and the nice scent of pine needles as we huffed and puffed up the hill.  It's a real Disney World workout. 

This view is looking down on Rarangi Beach from the top of the trail.  There are a few holiday houses along the beach, mostly built in the sixties and seventies.  There is also a new residential area at the far end of the beach, but a sort of a mish mash of architectural styles with no zoning or restrictions.  This seems to be the rule in NZ. 

Back down on Rarangi after eating our picnic lunch of corned beef sandwiches in honor of St. Patrick.  Here, you can see the black sand and smooth stones that stretch for miles. I have a collection of tumbled shells from the beach for Kayla and Jake to play with next time we see them. 

My wine has run out, Neil Dimond is singing some oldies on the sound system, and Bill is watching basketball at home.  All is right with the world down here until the next great hike.