It's July 2020!
We have been here a year!
New Zealand is an amazing country! We continue to find new an different places to go and see!
Over the last few weeks we have explored more of the East coast north of Tauranga...
This was a longer hike, but the end was fantastic!
Homanga Bay Walk...
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| Notice the WARNING?! "Suitable for Fit and Experienced Trampers" |
We were unsure where to start and it was windier than Laramie Wyoming!
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| We decided to start on a gravel road... |
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| We wandered through trees... |
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| Up a hill... |
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| Then we saw the ocean!!! |
The next steps were quite revealing!!!
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| We found the right track! |
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| But it went on and on... |
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| And on and on... |
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| Then rounding a corner... |
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| WOW - That is a view of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui! |
Then the trail changed...
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| Typical NZ Trails... |
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| Well tramped! |
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| Orange markers as our guide... |
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| Still between farm fields... |
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| More forest... |
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| The orange markers... |
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| And of course, what NZ trail without Stairs! |
But Finally we made it!
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| Option to Hike a lot more!!! |
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| Look, they even provide swim towels! |
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| Homunga Bay! |
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| The Beach... |
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| The Waterfall... |
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| Us... |
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| More of the Beach... |
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| The Beach the other way... |
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| Notice the Privacy! |
We took a short break here to enjoy the beach...
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| On our way out... |
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| Back on Top of the Mountain... |
That was a long hike with great views! Lots of vertical (but fewer stairs than others!).
After that a calm Beach tramp was needed...
Whangamata (For those who are curious wh in Maori is pronounce "F" - So if you said "wahn-ga-mata" you would get raised eyebrows - it's "Fangamata")...
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| Some shells are still alive! |
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| Low Tide... |
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| Linda on the phone helping missionaries... |
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| They say you can actually walk to these at low tide! |
Local Art...
So after that Calm Walk, Linda wanted a Challenge!
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| Down was easy... |
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| Spining while traversing? |
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| Up and down... |
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| Lots of Arm muscle |
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| Need momentum |
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| Can get dizzy! |
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| The full Course |
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| With a Climbing Wall! |
So then what?
A Zip Line...
Can you believe it? A free Ninja course right on the beach!
It's really fun seeing these places!
We do get to do some missionary work too... Last Saturday we went to a Baptism in Tongan! Here are the Missionaries...
We are Thankful for this opportunity and look forward to seeing you all soon!
Love,
Elder & Sister Despain
