Kristin's journal entry: "On Day 2, we woke up with the trumpet again and then set out. We kayaked to Bark Bay for lunch. It was awesome - the ocean was shallow for a long way out, so it was perfect for wading. We watched a cute duck family while we ate (I named them the Armbrusters). The duckling would jump to try to get seeds and then fall over. Finally he learned that he could walk over the top of the plant to get the seeds to his level. He was so cute."
Morning of Day 2
Stopover at Bark Bay.
Nathan's journal entry: "I decided to go shoeless on the second day to avoid further rubbing, and that helped significantly. However, I neglected to adjust the rudder pedals to compensate for the lack of shoes. That combined with my lower back soreness meant that I was eager to get moving and cover as much distance as possible. Unfortunately, that meant that I rushed through much of the trek without paying much attention to the beautiful scenery. But, the stop at Bark Bay for lunch was beautiful. I got the pedals adjusted properly after lunch, and I was actually comfortable. Too bad we just had the rocky, rough sea ahead, so I had to push ahead again until almost the end. I did take a little time to enjoy Arch Point. That was an awesome set of rocks, but I was scared to try landing the kayak there amidst the rocks near high tide. So in the end, I noticed more of the coast we passed that day when riding back on the water taxi."
This beautiful sand became the bane of our existence.
Kristin's journal entry: "We kayaked across more choppy water, almost capsizing on a sandbank near Arch Point and getting stuck on a shallow rock. We managed to stay in the kayak by embracing the wave (leaning towards it). We dropped our boat off at Onetahuti and laid out on the beach while we waited for the water taxi to pick it up."
Laying out on the beach!
The kayak waiting to be picked up by the water taxi.
We had some crazy tans on our feet by the end of the trip.
Kristin's journal entry: "We then had to hike to Awaroa with all of our gear (including what looked like a Santa sack with gear from the kayak company). Nathan thought it was a 20 minute walk, but it actually took us over 2 hours. We did some of it barefoot since we had to wade through tidal pools. I found lots of great shells in the process (including one that still had a clam in it and stunk up our bag the next day). When we arrived at the campsite, our feet hurt, we were tired, our extra clothes were all wet, and we were really dirty. But it was a beautiful campsite, and we were the only ones there. The only downside to the place was the overpopulation of sand flies."
Nathan lugging his load at the beginning of our hike.
One of the tidal inlets that we had to wade across.
Nathan's journal entry: "The walk to Awaroa was the most tiring and frustrating part of the trip. The Onetahuti low water crossing was not well marked, and the trail signs further along were faded beyond recognition. We took an official shortcut, and that was not well marked either. And, because we had way more equipment than our small backpacks could hold, we had a 'Santa' sack and a plastic bag full of wet clothes to carry. We were both worn out by the time we got to the camp, and our feet had taken more of a beating. We took our shoes off for water crossing and sand, and I had a crab tickle my foot when I was standing on his hole (I could not avoid standing on some crab holes with how many there were). I'm guessing he just wanted to come back outside."
Nathan and his Santa sack after about 1/2 hour of hiking barefoot.
Nathan's journal entry: "The campground was beautifully manicured with a great kitchen space, and it was completely empty...except for tons of sand flies and mosquitoes that ignored bug spray."
The campsite had a nice kitchen shelter with running water and sinks for washing dishes.
Sunset at the campsite.
Our tent at the nicest campsite we've ever stayed at. We were the only ones there!
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