Half a Dozen Memories: Paratutae Island & Manukau Heads

It's strange to think this will be the last post from my mini series. I guess I'll have to come up with a new name for a new series since I'm still sort of behind on my New Zealand adventures! Eh...I'll leave that for next week. Let's do a final RECAP on the past 5 weeks in this Half a Dozen Memories series.

Week 1: Raglan & Rotorua
Week 2: Skytower & Newmarket
Week 3: Hunua Falls, One Tree Hill, & Takapuna Escape Rooms
Week 4: Glowworm Kayaking
Week 5: Tauranga

Week 6: Paratutae Island & Manukau Heads was originally going to be titled, Week 6: Omanawanui Track & Manukau Heads...but I'll get to that. Oh hey! Remember how in Week 3 I casually mentioned a story about a muddy hike? Well. This is the blog with that story! 😱 With all of these intriguing tidbits, how can you not want to continue reading?

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18TH
This weekend's trip wasn't necessarily one where we needed to drive a long ways, thus the Saturday start. Annika and Clara picked me up at my house and then off to the Omanawanui track we went! Yes, our original plan was to hike the track because apparently it had AMAZING views. While it was a somewhat overcast day, we were optimistic it would clear up by the time we arrived and started hiking. The last 20 minutes or so of the drive was on a narrow, curvy road - but one that provided beautiful views of the ocean and hills as we drove along. We parked and saw a few other cars in the area as well. After a quick look at the map, we went in the direction of where the trail began. Or so we thought. 😂 Instead, we walked by some homes and a nice kiwi gentleman asked us what our plans were for the day. When we told him about our hike, he informed us the trail was closed due to the Kauri dieback disease (I've come across this problem a few times now since I've been in NZ). While we couldn't hike the trail, he did say we could hike a small part of it to a lookout over the Bay and Tasman Sea. With our changed plans, we set off in the RIGHT direction to the lookout.

View from the parking lot (well actually from behind the bathrooms...but parking lot seemed better to say.😉)

This is from the beginning of the hike...it was gorgeous even then!

Don't be deceived by the blue sky...see the darker clouds?

Here's where the tale of the muddy hike begins! The problem in our hiking plan was that we sort of forgot that it had rained the day/night before and earlier that morning. Which, in turn, meant that the trail was going to be a bit muddy and slippery. We soon learned of our error in judgment once we entered the woods. I had shoes on with pretty good grips, Clara's shoes were good, but Annika's tennis shoes were...a little less grippy let's say. Going up wasn't so bad because there were plenty of branches to grab onto, but when the trail to the lookout started going downhill, we had a bit of a problem.😆 Two sticks found beside the trail became walking sticks that definitely helped, but still didn't change the fact that the trail was slick with mud. With Annika's blessing, I will post a short video of our adventure. Enjoy!

Imagine this....but like for 25 minutes and you'll have a pretty good idea of our walking obstacles!

Eventually, we made it to the lookout with no casualties! We were the only ones up there so we were free to take as many pictures as we wanted. It really was quite a lovely view - we wished the entire trail had been open because I'm sure the sights would have been wonderful. 

Clara needed a walking stick as well. 😊

Still smiles after the muddy hike!

What a view, am I right? See the "island" to the left? That was our stop the next day!

I'm so grateful my friends don't get annoyed with taking all these handstand pictures...or if they do they don't say anything!😘

Yes, we did take this photo by ourselves! 🙉🙊🙈

Look close and you'll see a little sundog in the distance!

After enjoying the lookout, we began the trek back. This time it was uphill so, in theory, we thought it might go a bit easier. But no...it wasn't. I'll just say that one of us slipped and got a bit dirty and leave it at that.😊 Once we got back on flat ground, we headed to the black sand beach we saw earlier from above. Classic NZ weather kicked in as we went through periods of sprinkling rain, sun, sprinkling rain, more sun...etc. Access to the beach wasn't that simple as there was a stream separating the main beach from the path. We did find a way across and then spent time exploring the rocks on Paratutae Island before eating a snack on a log by the water.

Here's the stream we had to cross to get to the beach (Paratutae Island).

😍

Had to do a quick climb.

Looking out to sea.

Posing before snacking.

With semi-satisfied stomachs, we started walking along the beach towards the area where we thought some small caves might be. However, there wasn't an obvious path there and it started to rain more intensely...so we headed back to the parking lot. Going back across the stream was easier (we crossed over a log) and wouldn't you know it - the rain stopped as soon as we were across and near the vehicle. 🤷 Oh well! We still had places to go, trees to see, and geocaches to find! Our next stop was Titirangi, which was only about 40 minutes away. Of course, it took a little longer for us since we had to stop and geocache. It was International Geocaching Day after all! 🌎🗺🌍🗺🌏 Find #1 of the day was a success and gave us a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. Find #2 was also a success that brought us to a bamboo lined path and some slippery steps during the search. It's always an adventure to geocache!

Meet the gang.😊

The main reason we were going to Titirangi was to look for a tree Clara's aunt and uncle planted 11 years ago when they were in NZ. As luck would have it, another geocache was sort of near the area where we were going to look for the tree. I think at some point, we were all thinking of giving up on finding it (especially since a couple previous people had said the cache wasn't there)...but good thing we didn't! Find #3 of the day was equally frustrating and satisfying to log. From the cache, we walked towards the shore until we got to the big tree. Once there, we tried to decide which tree Clara's aunt and uncle planted - we think we found it but I guess we'll never be 100% sure!

Geocache #3

View from the big tree...also I'm really sorry but I forgot to take a picture of the tree we thought was the 11 year old tree!😜

Having fun in the big tree!

By the time we were done with the tree hunt, we were hungry for another snack. In Titirangi, after much debate, Annika got chips (and by chips I mean fries) and I got a flat white with a free muffin! Clara chose a spring roll and then across the street we went to what turned out to be one of our favorite finds - potentially the most clever geocache hide I've seen in NZ. This one took a bit of time as it was in a bus stop and there were people constantly walking by or sitting in the stop with us. Finally, after feeling around the edges of the seat I found the movable nut and we logged find #4 of the day!

 I spy with my little eye cache #4!

I thought you all should see the entire thing...how fun is that?!

We were feeling pretty great after that cache. Next stop? Auckland! Our Airbnb house for the night was near the airport so we headed there first to get settled. The house had a hostel vibe to it, but everyone there seemed friendly. Since we weren't starving, we still had a little time to do something before dinner. Mt. Eden was our choice as it would give us a great night view of Auckland. The fact that there were 2 caches close by was just a perk. 😉 We parked on a side street and began the short walk to the top. By this time, it was quite dark out so we had to use our phone lights to see where to go. Early on, we ran into a couple of bikers and got a bit startled...oh that was funny! 😂 Anyways, our first target was a cache in a tree. #5 of the day became my first night cache.

#5 found in a tree beside the path.

The path wound through the woods until it connected to the main road to the top of Mt. Eden. During the right hours, you can actually drive to the top - but where's the fun in that? If you know me, I'm not much of a city girl. But I will say seeing Auckland at night - or any city for that matter - was a unique experience because it gave me a different perspective of this city I've been living near since February. If I'm ever flying over a city at night, I always enjoy looking down to see how far out the lights go before hitting the dark, unoccupied parts of the area.

I captured most of the views with my memory since my phone doesn't take the greatest night pictures. Although, the one above didn't turn out too bad actually! We headed down Mt. Eden on the opposite side to find the second cache. Unfortunately for us, there was a puddle on the other side we didn't see. Clara and I were ahead of Annika and stepped into the puddle first. Our screams warned her so she didn't end up with a wet foot. It was hilarious! Back to geocaching. This cache was in a tree - or at least it was supposed to be. Let me tell you, we searched that tree THOROUGHLY. We reached up into the different holes, we took pictures of the places we couldn't reach, and Clara stood on my back to see higher. When that all failed, I climbed the tree with very helpful pushes from Annika and Clara.😄 With ALL of this effort, we couldn't find it. Such a sad time!

Told you geocaching is an adventure!

To end this delightful day, we went to a little Italian restaurant for some pasta and pizza. We were all kind of tired by this point, but the food was good!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19TH

Today's itinerary involved going to the Manukau Heads to see the lighthouse and look across at Paratutae Island. Our pre-breakfast activity was...any guesses? If you said geocaching, you've caught on to our favorite pastime. Two caches later, we were ready for sustenance! 

 A weirdly smooth tree.

Find #1 of the day.

Find #2!

Our breakfast cafe was a cute little French place with delicious food. Nearby, there was some street art we had to go and see. If it looks familiar, it's because Annika and I saw this when we were in Tauranga (and I put a picture in last week's blog). And, it's also an image taken from Michaelangelo's painting, The Creation of Adam.

The drive to the lighthouse was only about an hour and a half, but on curvy roads. Surprise, surprise! We chatted and enjoyed the views out the windows during the drive. Today, the sun was shining and made it the perfect day to be out and about, doing something. The lighthouse was quite busy, but Annika found a parking spot. 

On the way to the lighthouse.

I've always loved lighthouses - well ever since I read The Boxcar Children: The Lighthouse Mystery. Mark my words; one day I will live in a lighthouse. Whether it's for a week, 2 months, or a year...it's going to happen. With all of that said, this lighthouse was quaint and had a short climb to the lookout area on top. Oh yes, there was a geocache hidden somewhere in the lighthouse too that we were actively searching for as we were admiring the sights. We especially enjoyed looking across the water to where we were yesterday. 

 You're looking at Paratutae Island!

 Only true friends will take selfies on your phone when they should be taking pictures of you...

 Model status.

Lighthouse group selfie? Check!

The search for the cache began in earnest after finishing our sightseeing from the upper level of the lighthouse. It was very difficult to search inconspicuously due to people constantly coming and going. We finally pinpointed where we thought it was hidden and Annika made the grab during a break in the people traffic. This was #3 of the day, in case you forgot!

 The cache was hidden behind this painting that could only be reached if you were super tall, had a chair, or if you stood on the staircase and leaned over. Annika chose the 3rd option.

Find #3!

Outside again, we looked around a bit more and read about the history of the place. It was wonderful to feel the sun on our faces and breathe in fresh air. I miss living in the country! We got back on the road as we couldn't get home too late. The 4th and final find of the day was on the way, which made for an easy and quick stop. It was a relatively new hide, so we were some of the first people to sign! 

 Some more views of Manukau Heads.

 The road we drove on to get to the lighthouse.

Find #4 of the day.

Our lunch stop was in Waiuku - a small little town that has an old hotel famous for being New Zealand's longest continuously licensed hotel. Pies and chips in hand, we ate on a bench by the town's clock tower. Some pesky seagulls stopped by, but they grew bored of us not sharing our food with them. 

Our lunch view.

The famous hotel.

A quick bathroom break on our way out brought us within distance of...wait for it...the LOCH NESS MONSTER! 😱 Shocking right? Do you want to see?

Don't worry Scotland, NZ will take good care of little 'ol Nessie for ya until you want her back!

We returned to the Auckland area around 5:00 p.m. which made for a relaxing evening unpacking from the weekend and watching Netflix. Another successful weekend trip was in the books.😊

There you go! That's the 6th and final weekend from this short series of posts. Even though this was only a two day weekend, I still managed to upload plenty of pictures (sorry about that!) for you all. I hope you've enjoyed the past 6 blogs of weekend trips...there's plenty more where that came from!

Now that Half a Dozen Memories is complete...what should I do next? Send your ideas this way if you have any! Until then, I'll just keep writing and maybe by the end of 2018 I'll be caught up. One can dream, right?