Tairua - Day 3

The third day started very rainy. So we tried to compensate for our jet lag by sleeping, and continued writing the blog :))) Around noon, the weather improved from heavy rain to drizzle, so we got ready to climb the mountain 'Paku', right on our doorstep. By the way, climbing Mount Paku is ranked #1 on TripAdvisor in the category 'things to do in Tairua'!! After about 20 minutes, we reached the summit and were rewarded with a beautiful view of Tairua and the beach promenade. It was also the first time we encountered a bird species that was previously unknown to us: the Tui. We noticed it because of its melodic singing and occasional chatter. It had a black, sometimes bluish plumage and a white patch on its throat.

We then drove into the city, stocked up on provisions for the upcoming hike (cereal, bread, soy and oat milk, a few cereal bars, fruits and vegetables, and water) and had a small meal (delicious vegetarian pizza and burgers at 'Taste Food 2 go', right next to the gas station :D). We briefly looked inside the tourist information center (ranked #3 on TripAdvisor) and the seemingly well-known mineral shop Heaven&Earth (ranked #6). During this time, the weather improved even more, and it became cloudy. That was the cue to explore the area a bit; however, we had already postponed the trip to Cathedral Cove to the following day, during the rainy morning hours.

We went to the nearby Pumpkin Hill, which unfortunately was not really accessible. Well, if we had had a machete with us, we could have gone further than 50 meters :))) Luckily, there was also Te Karo Bay next to it. We found a deserted sandy beach, with only a few seagulls and a few sandpipers running around. So we strolled along the beach and enjoyed the nature and the sound of the ocean. There is also the grave of the sailor (ranked #2).

More interesting was the sign 'Path to Otara Bay' and 'Kiwi live here'. It was around 7pm and the sunset was imminent, so there was a chance to see one or more of the elusive kiwis in the jungle-like vegetation!!! So we set off and were immediately surprised by the cleaning equipment and disinfectant for shoes after the information sign, to protect the flora and fauna, especially the kauri trees, from a disease that can be transmitted through, for example, clay. We decided to continue barefoot; the ground was soft and muddy - a treat for our feet :)) After about 15 minutes, we reached the highest point of the short hiking trail, and could already hear the sound of the ocean, probably from Otara Bay, but: we didn't encounter a kiwi on the way there, or on the return journey... Too bad!!! Finally, we soaked our feet in the sea and drove back to our accommodation. Next time, you little kiwis won't be able to hide from us!! :)))