Takawa to Kaiteriteri

Takawa to Kaiteriteri

27 - 1st March was spent at the popular seaside village of Kaiteriteri at the Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp (incredibly popular, so book very early if you want to stay there) in a basic holiday cabin (it was the cheapest, and only, accommodation we could find there) at $50 per night inluding the hire of bedding, crockery and cooking utensils. The toilet block, kitchen and shared fridge and freezer facilities were first rate. The beach at this resort is one of the best in the whole area. We had already booked a trip on a sailing catamaran with Abel Tasman Sailing on the way to Takaka for the morning of the 27th (origninally booked for the 28th but when we re-confirmed we were advised about adverse weather conditions due on the 28th, so brought the trip forward). To make the early start we gladly left Annie's Nirvana in Takaka to arrive at Kaiteriteri for our 9.30 sailing experience. Parking up in the public car park we stolled across the road to the golden sandy beach bright and early for our trip on board the catamaran for a lovely sail around Spit Apple Rock, past Marahau, Fisherman and Adele Islands (with commentary on their history) until we reached Anchorage Bay, our final destination and lunch stop (included in the price). After a relaxed lunch on the deck we enjoyed a swim and walk around the area. For keen hikers, there is basic cabin accommodation here as well as a campsite. The Abel Tasman Coast and Heaphy tracks are very popular multi-day hikes.

The 28th dawned to storms and rain from the early hours of the morning, as predicted and raincoats were at the ready for dashes to the toilets and kitchen. We had no plans ready for a rainy day, so gathered what info we could from the camp office to make a decision. During this time I realised that I had misplaced my recently acquired sun hat (a vital purchase in Ayers Rock earlier in our whole trip). After searching my memory (that didn't take too long) I recalled wearing it when we were at Farewell Spit. We phoned the tour company and low and behold they had the hat. So we were sorted for a day time activity - a return trip to Collingwood to collect my hat from the Eco Tour office. Before setting off we had also decided on an evening activity - we made a booking to go to the cinema at the leisure centre in Motueka to see the new release Slumdog Millionaire.

Having already done the drive to Golden Bay and back once, we headed there again. The drive along State Highway 60 up and over Takaka Hill is stunning, and also gut wrenching, with evidence of landslides all around and views over steep drops. You pass caves near the summit of the road and the road winds down through the Takaka Hill Scenic Reserve. On arrival in Collingwood, after retrieving my hat, we visited the small museum there, which gave a fascinating insight into the continued economic regeneration of a unique and remote area and the heroism shown by the young men and women of the area in supporting the allies in WW1. Returning to Collingwood allowed us the opportunity to make a visit to Rosy Glow Chocolates, a must do if you are ever there. These delicious hand-made chocolates are mouth wateringly described and made for sharing (they are seriously large for liquer and continental chocolates). Before heading back over the Takaka Hill we lunched at the Courthouse Cafe and Gallery, an interesting small building in the heart of the small town which, again, served excellent coffee. On the way back we stopped off just past Takaka at Golden Salami for some home cured salami from their own cattle, you pull in off the road and buy from a vending machine in a small cabin. There are a large range of delicious salami's and sausages to choose from, and if help is needed a telephone is there to contact the producer at his home.

The evening cinema experience was something else again, the leisure centre provided a host of normal sporting activities with a small single screen cinema as part of the complex. We arrived early as we were told that seats were unallocated, so it was first come first served, and queued up to pass the ticket checker. On going through to the cinema we entered into a small auditorium with seating for only about 100 people. Everyone arrived in their best clothes and greeted one another like a social occasion. The film was fun and left us with a feel-good feeling at the end of an ejoyable, if wet day.





New Zealand, Takawa, Kaiteriteri