The backpackers is set up rather well with
composting toilets just outside the house and a well equipped kitchen with some
sharable items to consume. We had a
quick breakfast and headed north to the East Cape. It only took about an hour to reach the East
Cape, but the road to the lighthouse may have taken nearly as long to
travel. The wind was ferocious and
kicking up sand and small pebbles which snapped when they hit our
windshield. On the way we spotted a seal
or sea lion out on the rocks, Tegan was impressed watching it as it
waddled along and finally disappeared into the torrent waters. The wind blew the spray from the waves up
into the air and our windshield was now coated in a white film of salt; all
making it equally exciting when driving along the coast with 20-100 metre
cliffs to either side, one up and one down to the ocean.
We arrived at a parking spot with toilets at
the end of the road. This is where you
park your vehicle and then start the short hike up the hill to the East Cape
Lighthouse. We prepared some sandwiches
as the wind tore across the open pastures, rocking the campervan while I
layered our ham, cheese and mayonnaise onto fresh buns. With Tegan nearly blowing away and down the
road we fought our way to the beginning of the trail at the pasture gate of a
farm. You must cross a pasture on private land gaining
access to the trail that climbs about 200 metres. The trail is made of boarded steps and it
fairly easy to climb, the wind doesn’t factor into the climb because you are
sheltered well under the canopy of trees.
The lighthouse pops out with the last turn on
the trail and the wind also thumps at you with full velocity. It nearly feels like you could be picked up
and carried out to sea by the wind alone.
I got Tegan to a more sheltered area around the lighthouse and setup my
camera for some photos of the scenery and the magnificent lighthouse.
Back down the trail to the campervan and up
the road. This time we were travelling
with the wind and it felt quieter and less of a challenge, in the ease of that
feeling the windshield sounded like with was going to shatter as an orange wind
net at the side of the road freed and slapped the front of the campervan with a
forceful blow. Scared the crap out of
us! Thank god I took the insurance
option… I don’t think it did any damage, but wow, it really must have been at
the brink.
From the East Cape we made our way west all
the way to Ohope and the Top 10 Holiday Park there. We ordered a pizza at the Sandcastle take-away in Ohope and it was
delicious. The have a room specifically
made for kids called “The Dungeon” and Tegan was able to play for a very little
bit some boys while we were waiting for the pizza to be made. I was hoping to watch the game live tonight, but it was
only on delayed at 10pm and I didn’t feel like staying up that late.
Tegan watched an Indiana Jones movie until it
was finished and we went to sleep.
