Golden Bay - Chasing the Sun

Thursday 16 January

Thursday was spent looking for the sun… spoiler alert, we found it eventually!

Forecast as cloudy early with sun breaking through we set off hopefully over the Takaka hill again - still no views!

On the other side of the big hill, at Takaka itself we did some window and op shopping then had a brilliant brunch at the very vibrant Wholemeal Cafe.

I particularly loved that a bunch of the local businesses all gather here daily to start their day with a decent coffee and probably a delicious brekkie like the one Louis ordered. And in the fresh fruit ice cream & gelato section of the cafe they had scientifically worked out the exact number of flavour combos available to you on any one day! With this many options, why does Louis always go Route 1 and have strawberry?!?

From there we drove along the coastline heading north east, checking out Pohora & Tata beaches in the dull grey weather. The tide was in at Pohara leaving a narrow strip of beach less than a metre wide. At Tata Bay there was a beautiful mosaic stone bench erected in memory of Kelly, a local mum who died of cancer shortly after giving birth to her son in September 2009. It was a beautiful tribute, full of colour, vibrancy & aroha. She must have been a wonderful and much loved woman.

The lady at iSite had suggested the Grove Scenic walk so we decided to try that to kill time waiting for this non-existent sunshine. Turned out to be an awesome short loop through a bizarre Jurassic Park landscape of rocks, ferns, tall trees, crevices and tangled vines and roots - with a lovely lookout too. Made extra lovely as the sun finally made a tentative appearance and set to work clearing the clouds.

Went back to Ligar Beach for a dip and a nap and were astonished to find the sand underwater was gold sparkly and twinkly - hence the area being called Golden Bay.

A quick trek up to Abel Tasman monument for more views and a wander down the road to check out a rather inaccessible but pretty wee bay.

Back on the other side of Takaka we followed signs to the highlight of the day, Te Waikorupupu springs. These crystal clear waters are sacred to Māori and are the largest cold fresh water springs in the southern hemisphere. As the waters are tapu you are forbidden to touch them, swim in them, collect the water or go fishing there.

We arrived latish as the sun was thinking of setting and the pre-golden hour light made the glorious clear waters and surrounding bush even more stunning!

The water is so spectacularly clear you can see right down into it to the eddies of weeds below, and the stony base of the lake. The colour is out of this world in almost unnatural shades of blues, greens, aquas, teals & turquoise

Home over the Takaka hill again - this time with views, and then Indian takeaway dinner to round off the day.