Gisborne is a little off the beaten track for visitors like myself so it’s great to be with some locals and get to see this part of the country. We reach Whispering Sands, which is right on the beach at Gisborne, in the afternoon. We take a walk along the beach boardwalk to the harbour which also involves walking along the old railway tracks. There were kids jumping from the walkway into the water below one cute little mauri boy who was terrified but got talked into it… very cute.
This is also the spot where Captain Cook found and put New Zealand on the map and there’s a statue to mark it:
We hit the wharf bar and restaurant for some happy hour drinks and an early dinner. I have the ” fish and chops” although I haven’t really heard anyone pronounce it like that! Back at our beachfront motel we watch the sunset with a nice glass of wine.
It’s a beautiful morning next day so I put my runners on and head up the beach for a 5km run. The beach goes on for ages with beautiful cliffs in front so it’s a very pretty run. Am glad to be finished before 9am as it’s already really hot.
Next on this agenda is snorkeling. We get our gear together and go to Te Tapuwae o Rongokako marine reserve. It’s shallow water but lots of reef to see and we are only in two minutes when we see a little octopus – it’s so cute. We see lots of little fish and a handful of bigger ones and it’s great fun just swimming around.
When we come out of the water a seal has made its way onto the beach to say hello!
Fearing the weather might change, although it stays hot and sunny all day, we head back to our place for lunch and a swim (I use that word lightly!) in our beach. The water is gorgeous and I float in a few waves (still terrified of those big ones!!) with my noodle and I’m happy out.
After the dip it’s time for a walk along the beach and it’s so nice I walk for ages and forget to turn back… it must be over an hour later when I return, a little sunburnt (not much though) after being in the salty water. We chill for the rest of the afternoon until it’s time for dinner. For dinner we visit Wynns nephew and his adorable family. He’s quite the cook and the giant fish starter is amazing. We have salmon tails, muscles and abalone which is locally called paua and was caught locally by our host – amazing! I also had kumara which is the local sweet potato.
Next day after watching the sun rise [Gisborne claims to be the the first city on earth to see the sun rise] we get on the road “home” to Napier.
Lots of nice scenery to see again and it’s hot and sunny. At a little tea stop on the way I find some locally produced beauty products which feel and smell gorgeous – a honey facial wash and a Rotorua mud moisturizer – looking forward to using these. Our drive takes us through another gorge and around the devils elbow. The scenery is stunning :
With lots of sheep as you’d imagine – you can’t really see them here but they’re dotted on the hills
and we pass through the Mohaka Viaduct :
Once we get through the gorge and back onto flat land, Hawke’s Bay appears quite suddenly with a beautiful coastline in front of us:
I’m very excited to arrive at Karina and Wynns home which is a cool mission style house. I get the tour and get to chill out and do some washing!! More on Napier next…..
odohertyelaine 