February 3, 2024
Nick and I at the mouth of OUR river, the Whanganui. Note that we are dry, thus smiling.
“You want a soft landing. As you get close, slow your momentum to ensure a soft landing without damage.” This, along with “loose hips” and “avoid hidden trees,” was part of our initial instructions for our canoeing adventure. Taking our guide Wilson’s advice, that is now what we are doing. We have slowed our pace from its previous frenetic pace.
Once we had taken our long, hot showers and slipped into our dry clothes, and started the many loads of wet laundry, we started our exploration of the town of Whanganui, where our (note: our) river meets the Tasman Sea. Whanganui is one of the oldest European AND Maori settlements in NZ. Our niece, Tamsyn (Gordo’s oldest daughter) has lived in Whanganui for most of her adult years and was happy to be a part of our exploration.
Another “Where’s Nick?” This one is easy.
Back in May, I had found what looked like a great Airbnb that would easily accommodate three of us…We ended up with four (Nick & I, Mark, and Gordo) and still had room. In addition, there were 3 to 4 “lounges”…living rooms? parlors? sitting rooms? Who knows? The house was vintage 1930s with stained glass, lovely wood (kauri) paneling in the main sitting room, plus a dining room and full kitchen. And it was less than $125 per night. A steal for four people. We were able to have family dinners there for two nights.
Having a beer at the Boat Shed, a Whanganui favorite. Gordo is behind his daughter Tamsyn, our golden-voiced niece. Rob, in the baseball cap, is her partner. Nick is taking in Rob’s story and I am peeking in.
Tamsyn, after much encouragement, brought out her guitar to play some of the pieces she had written and would be playing that weekend for a gig. It was heartfelt and strong music sung with a lovely voice and energy. It was a treat to have in-home entertainment by such a talented musician.
The “Waimarie” is off and steaming up the Whanganui after Nick “helped” get it ready for launch.
Several years earlier, Gordo lived in Whanganui for several years so he showed off his town. As I got a much needed pedicure, Gordo took the “boys” to the paddle wheel museum where the town had rescued a paddle wheel river boat from the bottom of the river, refurbished it and given it a new life as a tourist transit up the river a bit and back. As they readied the boat for its voyage, Nick was given a tour of the bowels with engines, pistons, coal, steam, and all things that made Nick smile.
Our 45 second tram ride: Gordo, Nick, half of Mark, and me. It was a beauty.
While we were in the engine mode, we took a tram (circa 1910) ride on the 100′ of track which included a switch. The ride was so short, they happily took us again, as the volunteer engineer and conductor were having as much fun as we were.
We walked along the quays, watched the river, still in flood stage, but far less angry than it had been 48 hours earlier. From the bridge, we caught sight of an item, not organic, floating down the river and watched as it approached, hoping that it was Nick’s hat. Alas, it was the ubiquitous plastic bag, an escapee from a capsized canoe…not ours.
The “lost boys” (Gordo, Nick, and Mark) with their leader Peter Pan, and Tinkerbell keeping them safe.
Gordo drove us out to a lovely estate with massive plantings from all over the world. Nick and I checked out all of the available ferns as we started thinking about spring planting in our garden. Yes, it is clear that we are creeping slowly back into the reality of life back in Humboldt.
From Whanganui, we took a short drive past the volcano, Mt. Taranaki which, as most volcanoes seem to be, was shrouded in clouds. New Plymouth was our destination where I spent time catching up with emails, and learning of the passing of our favorite Uncle John, at the lively age of 103. He lived his life fully, kept his sense of humor, and treated us all to the twinkle in his eyes. Fortunately, Nick and I will be home in time for his memorial service on February 17 in Santa Rosa. Uncle John had a “soft landing,” one he deserved.
Today we hit the road for Hamilton with hopes of squeezing in to the Waitomo Glow Worm caves. Online, they were sold out for months in the future. Ever the optimists, we made the hour detour to see if we could get in. Gordo, determined to make sure we had this Kiwi experience, prevaricated to the ticket office and managed to get the three of us (Gordon sat this one out) on an immediate tour.
Glow worms live in caves in only two countries…Australia and New Zealand. The caves were impressive enough, but as the artificial lights disappeared there were tiny specks of light on the cave ceilings. My first thought was that someone had done a great job with LED Christmas lights….but it was Mother Nature, once again, showing us how it is done. The true wonder was, after seeing the thousands of tiny lights, the guide flashed his flashlight on the ceiling of worms, revealing the long sticky silks that the glow worms extrude to catch insects attracted to their glowing. Mesmerizing.
Nick saying goodbye to the Tasman Sea.
Just a couple more days and we are back in Auckland for a couple days, then we leave New Zealand for the ultimate of “soft landings” after being out of the country for three months….Hawaii.
~Wendy and Nick