NEWS # 039
Hi everyone!
On Saturday morning I'm away from the excellent hostel by ten and on my way
to the West coast. I have to go north first, to Taumarunui and then take
highway 43 towards Stratford. I follow a route recommended by a guy running
Extreme and at some stages wish I hadn't. The road becomes a dirt road for
thirty kilometres and follows a river valley again. However, I feel like I
am in Lord of the Rings as the track winds its way down the valley. There
are huge cliffs and rockfalls everywhere. Thankfully, I don't have to drive
over any more rocks. The road eventually arrives at a sheer rock face and I
appear to be deep in a river valley, surrounded by huge trees.
The only way
out is through a tall, narrow tunnel, quite long but only wide enough for
one car. It is called the Hobbit's Tunnel.
The Hobbit's Tunnel
I drive through the tunnel and am very surprised by the landscape on the
other side. It is completely different and is a wide shallow valley, with
not a rockfall in sight and not many trees either. I then travel for another
hour before I can see the base of Mount Taranaki, a huge ancient volcano, in
front of me.
I decide to drive up to the Mount Taranaki National Park, not a good move as
when I get there the rain is torrential. I retrace my steps and head north to
New Plymouth, in search of surf. All of the North Taranaki area beaches are
blown out and I figure that the wind is from the North West.
I drive the
Surf Highway, which skirts the coast, around the base of Mount Taranaki but
all the beaches seem to be badly affected by the wind. Still, at least there
is some swell!
storm brewing, Taranaki
Several hours later, I arrive in Wanganui and call to arrange some
accommodation. I will stay at the Tamara Backpackers on Somme Street. A
lady's directions are excellent and I arrive at the hostel with no problems.
I decide to stay two nights so I can check out the surf breaks the next day
and then head on the following one. I chill out, having travelled over 500km
today.
Sunday, I'm up early and head off to the Durie Hill Lookout Tower. The walk
from the hostel takes me to Anzac Parade, from where a 205m tunnel takes me
into the hill to the base of an elevator. There is then a 66m ride up
through the hill, to the top for the princely sum of one dollar(30p). I then
climb the 33m tower to the top and get great views of the surrounding
countryside.
I am, however, unable to see the mountains which are shrouded
in clouds.
the tunnel
the view, Wanganui, complete with paddle steamer
the tower
I then head back to the hostel for lunch and then set off in search of surf.
I drive 200kms visiting lots of beaches on the way but, despite the fact
that it is Sunday, there is no-one in the water. At last, after much
searching, I find the well rated spot called Stent Road. Seems like the
locals there are as helpful as those at home and have removed the signs!
There are two guys out and the surf looks four to five foot if a little
blown.
There is also the odd bigger sneaker set, washing through from time
to time.
Mt. Taranaki, in the distance
I am delighted to see someone in the water and change quickly and
paddle out. The water is not too cold and as the break is a point break, I'm
quickly outside. I say Hi to the guys, who tell me that they're about to go
in! Great. We spend about half an hour in the water together and they decide
to get out. We don't get many waves as the wind is getting up and the swell
is not hitting the reef very well. Just as they get out a major set hits us
and we all get worked for some time. I stay in the water for about another
twenty minutes but the set continues and I give up in the end. Getting out
of the water is easy and I am unscathed.
At least I know the break now and
will be able to have more fun the next time,
Stent Road sunset
As I get out it is getting dark and I drive home in the blackness. I arrive
home and settle down to watch the football, this time England-Denmark and am
well happy with the result. Get to bed late but don't care.
Monday dawns cold but bright. Am off to Wellington today. After breakfast, I
load the car and set off along the coast. Once again, I check all the surf
beaches on the way down. It looks like there are some great potential spots
but all are onshore today and the swell is poor quality. The coast is very
convoluted and I'm sure that there are several excellent secret spots which
are used by the locals.
Having a low quality map doesn't help and I'm soon in Plimmerton, some 20km
from Wellington. This place also looks to have great potential but isn't
working today. I check out a backpacker's for my return trip and it's right
across the road from the beach and looks really nice.
I then head for Wellington and follow the Motorway right into the City
Centre and then across towards the ocean again, in search of surf from a
different direction.
There is no surf anywhere and I take some photos of the local architecture
to give me some ideas for my house at home. I get to my accommodation for the
night and run into some people I had met in Napier. I had just checked in
and they are just leaving. They tell me that the hostel, called Beethoven's,
is cold and dark! Great! Actually it is not too bad and I settle in. I also
email my friend, Anja and find out that she is still in town. She is staying
just up the road and I go in search of her. She is very surprised to see me
and we go out for dinner, which is excellent.
Seeya,
Halesy
