We headed up the coast to Tolaga Bay which was our first overnight stop. We stopped just outside of Gisborne at Tatapouri Beach for some lunch (ham sandwiches this time instead of peanut butter which has become a solid favourite, haha!). There were a few gypsies parked up further down and one of the ladies came over and asked if we wanted to see a seal. I wasnt sure what to think at first (im so untrusting its awful) but anyways we followed her down the beach and she led us to this beautiful seal sat on the dune. Crazy, iv seen them loads in Cornwall but this one was a different type. It wasnt too keen on us and flopped down the hill trying to look agressive but we backed away and it flopped down again letting out a sigh...i thought it was dehydrated and needed water but Im not a vet! We went back and got our cameras then left it alone and carried on up the coast. the waters were turquoise at every bay we went to and the other side was lush green mountain ranges, insanely pretty.
We arrived in tolaga bay quicker than we'd imagined and got a little cabin in the holiday park (no more sharing a tent for me thank you!). The park backed on to the sea and was at the entrance to the historic wharf which is a 660m pier built in the 1920's for shipping when the coast was thriving. It is now redundant but you can walk along it and enjoy the views of the sea and cliffs. We wandered back and chilled at the cabin ready to get up early and see another sunrise in the morning. It was definitely worth it this time, there were a few clouds but the sun rose over them in the end and was a gorgeous colour. we decided to walk to Cooks Cove and see where Captain Cook landed in NZ. Walked through changing landscape and came out on the top looking down on the cove. trundled through a little forest with millions of stairs (my nightmare!) and came out at the bottom by the Hole in Wall (a not so impresive version of Hole in the rock, Northland) but still picturesque views. Cooks Cove was tranquil and glistening waters. Lay back on a rock and pondered how he must of felt sailing up to this inlet with the mountain in the distance. Incredible to think of it happening so long ago before the world had been mapped as it is today. Well worth the walk. Found a short cut up to the top which meant i didnt have to deal with stairs and we set off on the next part of the East Cape Adventure!! xxxx
