Water & wine
Tuesday, March 11, 18:53 (our itinerary)
Our “down day” was wonderful. The day began with rain, and showers were forecast to last all day, but after some indecision we decided to go back to Matai Bay. A school group was there, but we hiked to the far end of the right-hand cove and were alone the whole time. On the walk we encountered the poor little stingray below, dead (very recently) just above the high tide line.
The tiny cove where we stopped now has my vote as the best all-round beach in New Zealand – the scenery, the water temperature and clarity, the ability to be alone, and the combination of great swimming and great snorkelling side-by-side surpass any other beach we’ve spent time at. The Free Beach Group agrees 🙂
At about 2:30, we stopped in at the nearby Karikari Estate winery for lunch and a tasting. The food and 2 of the wines in particular were superb, as is the location – we have a bottle of their Gisborne Chardonnay to enjoy more of later.
Back at our holiday park on the beach at Whatuwhiwhi, I went snorkelling for a while. Though I never did find clear water, I got very close to several mergansers, so the swim was worthwhile. On the wade back to shore, I came within a foot of stepping on a stingray, though – damn muddy water! Luckily, the large swirl of water beside where my foot had landed was the only indication I had of what had happened.
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