This morning we were happy to discover that the predicted rains had apparently passed through overnight, so we were left with a cloudy - but dry day, much better weather for exploring than we had anticipated. First stop was for bagels from a local coffee/bagel shop called Hell Hole - as usual everything was great, and we were fueled up for our day ahead.
We set off on a walk to the other side of the island to get our feet in the sand at Long Beach. The walk itself was maybe 15 minutes from town, but it passed through a little section of native forest that is apparently home to some Kiwi. Reef was of course talking throughout the entire walk so Sharyl had the bright idea to tell him if he was quiet that we might hear Kiwi snoring (being as how they sleep in the day). That did the trick and Reef was very quiet for the rest of the forested hike, listening intently for Kiwi snores coming from the undergrowth.
Once we popped out on the other side of the forest, crested the hill and started heading down towards the water, we saw Long Beach. A beautiful stretch of sand framed by forested hills and cliffs at either end.
There were a few people out walking, but the beach was by and large empty. In classic New Zealand style, there is a tiny Long Beach coffee cart parked right by the sand where you can get yourself a Flat White or a Mochaccino - both New Zealand specialties - fresh and piping hot for your beach walk. We skipped the coffee and headed straight to the beach.
The boys had an awesome time running around on the beach - which was really wide and very gently sloping so River could get his toes into the water and then come running out without any problem. Sharyl's beach combing turned up a bunch of great shells on the sand, as we walked down the shoreline. Our aim was to walk to the far end of the beach, but River wasn't interested in being carried - and when he hit the ground he was like a baby Rumba heading in every direction but straight. So I'd guess we made it half way down. The beach itself is just about a mile long, which is approximately the same as walking from the start of baby beach to the point at Baldwin.
Before leaving the beach we checked out the tide pool area, and made a barefooted attempt to reach another small secluded beach on the other side of the tide pools and associated rock outcropping. As luck would have it the rocks were pretty sharp, and my Hawaiian feet are not what they once were. So despite having a solid hold on the baby in a football style under arm tuck throughout the rock scrambling, we ultimately abandoned that part of beach adventure.
After smoothies at Oso, River went down for a solid nap. Reef and I hopped in the two man kayak which came with the rental, and we set off from our doorstep to see what the rocky coastline outside Russell looked like.
We navigated between rocks around the next point and spotted a sailboat anchored in the distance. As we paddled in the direction of the sailboat the next bay opened up and we kept about 50 yards off the rocky shoreline. Eventually we rounded a bit of a point and saw a nice stretch of sand with houses just off the beach. This turns out to be Tapeka Point Beach, according to the map I just looked at (I didn't think to look at a map before we set off aimlessly into the ocean). By this point it was getting a little late so we spun the kayak around and headed back. Just as we rounded the last point, about a 1/2 mile from the house, my phone buzzed with a text from Sharyl asking if we were alright. About 5 min later we could see her and River on the beach.
The total kayak adventure ended up being about 3 - 4 miles, Reef gamefully stuck his paddle in the water a dozen or so times and probably moved us 12 - 16 feet forward in the process. But we both had a great time, and I know in a few years I'll be letting him paddle me around!
We finished off the day with some pasta at home, a couple NZ beers, and a large helping of Hokey Pokey Ice Cream (which Sharyl and Reef had located at the store). Just as Reef was getting ready for bed, he casually impressed his parents (probably myself more than Sharyl). When I walked past the bathroom I noticed his impromptu toothbrush holder - which he thought nothing of and didn't even bother to mention - until I made Sharyl come check it out, at which point Reef laughed and said "there was no where to put my toothbrush". You've got to love 5 year olds!
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