Te Oka Bay & Track

Hello dear ones, 

here I report to you about another hike on the southern peninsula near Christchurch. Here I hiked the Te Oka Bay Track and during my hike and my view in both the Te Oka Bay and the Tambledown Bay I saw pods of Hector's dolphins. It was a real surprise to see the fins emerging from the water. 

The track is special in that it first leads downhill to the bays before the altitude meters have to be climbed again. I have to honestly say that I much prefer 'normal' hiking. Somehow, after walking downhill, my body was already in its 'finally done' mode and I really didn't feel like walking the track back uphill. 

The track runs along and through sheep pastures, so I was constantly being watched critically. The herd also let themselves be led by me a little (completely unplanned) and I suddenly became a shepherdess. 

Almost at the end of the track, I also discovered a sign depicting penguins. However, I could not spot any more penguins that day. 

After a few relaxing minutes on the picnic bench and a few pages of my book, I headed back on the track. Hiking in strong headwinds is really not to be underestimated here and it is really exhausting when the body is exposed to the wind and sometimes the entire step is just blown away. 

After the hike, I had a nice hot shower at the campsite and treated myself to delicious fried eggplant on bread! What was really cool at the campsite was the own river where really large and many eels gathered, fed by the organic waste of the campers. 

The next day, it was time to return to Christchurch to make another plan for the coming weeks. 

Best regards, 
Yours Britta