To the many (two) fans (relatives) who wanted to know if I am still blogging, the answer is yes. Our holiday was jam packed and I am now planning an actual relaxing break. In August. The next adventure for the Dimpled Explorers brought us to the famed region of New Zealand known as Golden Bay. After extending our stay in Kaiteriteri, we only had one day and night to experience some pretty amazing places. Time to get a move on.
The first stop was Te Waikoropupu Springs (Pupu Springs) which is a place of spiritual significance to the Maori people. The springs are a waahi tapu (a sacred place) and signs are posted at the entrance asking that the waters be respected and not touched. The springs are also famous for their water clarity which has been measured at 63 meters and until 2011, was considered second only to the sub glacial water in Antartica. The clear waters were a beautiful sight and you could feel the reverence all around you. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting this place.
Our next stop was the gorgeous Wharariki Beach. After parking our car and dodging the two peacocks in the car park, we walked for 30 minutes across rolling farm lands and massive dunes to arrive at the most stunning beach. This beach, in its scale, reminded me of Canon Beach in Oregon (of the movie The Goonies fame) but with far less people.
Within minutes of stepping on to the sand, we found rock pools full of seals and their pups. They were wild and free and beautiful. Just as they should be. We were respectful and careful of the seals and stayed a safe distance. Surprisingly, they came to us, curious.
A certain seal pup found Poppy and Tate’s shorts too tempting and tried to bite them. Clearly a seal pup after my own heart with a taste for chambray. These are the moments that my children will remember. Or I hope they will. But that is the mystery of ones childhood, what sinks in and what doesn’t. It’s anyone’s guess. As I watched my kids throwing their football and skipping through the shallow water, I did a very adult thing. I lost that living in the moment thing and wondered how they would ever be able to enjoy another beach again. The beach that we travel to in Florida is beautiful but never this uncrowded. And then I remembered the true gift of childhood is that they do not compare and contrast anything. Things are not better or worse than fill in the blank. They are only capable of being in the now. Long may that continue.
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