Nga Tapuwae o Toi Walkways

Yes, I love tongue twisters too...

Today was hiking day! And I was so excited about it :D
The weather was perfect: cloudy, no wind, and pleasant temperatures. I was highly motivated and had packed my bag, so off I went.

The hiking trail, which is about 17km in total, mainly consists of several shorter sections. The first one led to a great viewpoint of White and Whale Island. It quickly went uphill through a forest, a perfect warm-up. With several ups and downs, it never got boring, and soon I could feel my calves.
Since the trail followed the coast, I could occasionally catch a quick glimpse through the trees. What was already spectacular there would be even more breathtaking at various viewing points, especially at Kohi Point: I had a wonderful view of the ocean, the mainland, and the two islands.
This section was really fun!
After that, Otarawairere Bay was the next destination. The trail still passed through this forest and then descended steeply until it suddenly ended in the water...
I walked back, but I really didn't miss any turn-offs. A quick look at the map explained everything: 'can be inaccessible at high tide'
Oops.
Of course, it was high tide, what else. Turning back was not an option, so: shoes and socks off, and off I went.
I would estimate that I had to go about 500m like this. That's really not much, but the trail was challenging: I had to climb over these black rocks, trying not to sink my shoes and bag into the water and keeping my balance. Sometimes I was standing in the water up to my thighs (I was wearing shorts).
After a few meters, my feet made themselves known and didn't find the path over the rocks very amusing. But what else could I do now?
I had to jump once. That wasn't great. But let's not talk about it anymore...
I made it, my feet survived, and I stayed dry. That's all that matters. And this bay was really beautiful! There was no one there (I wonder why) and I could also collect some shells as a little rest.
Then I found the entrance to the hiking trail, which of course started uphill again. But after some time, I reached the west end of Ohope Beach.

Ohope Beach is actually just a very long beach, a popular spot for surfing. I took a closer look at the surfers - they also fall into the water!
Ohope itself is just a tiny place, two cafes and five houses, so to speak, and I didn't really feel like taking a break there.
So off to the next section of the hike.

This led through the Ohope Scenic Reserve, basically just another forest. It wasn't really spectacular, but it dragged on due to steep climbs.
Eventually, there was a nice section where you walked on a wooden boardwalk through wetlands.
It was quiet around me. Occasionally, a bird was chirping, but all other sounds came from me. It was peaceful and exciting at the same time.
But except for this part, the last two hours of the hike were just... hiking. There wasn't much to see or tell anymore.
And so I reached Whakatane again in the early afternoon. I was on the road for a total of 5.5 hours, maybe four of them actively hiking.
My leg muscles were exhausted, and so was I. I had experienced enough adventures for today.

That was maybe a good decision because as soon as I got home, it started pouring rain. Sigh. Always this rain!
But better today than tomorrow - keep your fingers crossed, please! The chances are very slim...