Day 15 - Nikua Bay

A rainy start today, but that should be no surprise by now. We slept in to the absurd hour of 8, but it is a short day today, only some 24km total, ending on a river crossing. 

11am photo, in front of some aesthetic mailboxes 

Good mailboxes in these parts 

We took a detour to part of the old TA route that’s still open (before half was closed due to landowners again) to see the largest kauri tree on the east coast. Measuring 11 meters in diameter. Absolute unit this one. The only reason it didn’t get chopped down is because it was too oddly shaped. Classic. 

We quickly smashed the last two k and met up with the rest of the group at the dairy in Ngunguru. I’ve been hiking with a large group since Mangamuka and we’re all waiting till 4pm to get picked up by boat for the river crossing. In the meantime the weather was warm, and the lot of us went for a swim in the ocean. 

Me on the dock in the distance 

On the boat ready to go. 

James, the boat driver, also owns an eco lodge on the Island with his wife where we are all staying for the night. This place is legendary on the trail, it essentially exists because of TA hikers who need to pass through because of the river. It feels like a private Te Araroa resort. James even came down with fresh greens and avocados for everyone as a greeting. 

James also gives everyone a briefing on the days ahead where we need to pay special attention to tides. There are two sections that can only be crossed at low tide. He evidently has a big heart for the TA and goes to a lot to help us out. 

Camp for the night.