days 178~180: Oppo saves the day
Miriam: Today is a pouring rain, howling wind sort of day and we are completely hunkered down at anchor in Mt. Maunganui. A barely going above decks sort of hunkering, napping and reading and doing little boat jobs. We knew this weather was coming and came here from Mayor Island the evening of the 9th so that we’d be in a protected place for the blow. Mayor Island was incredible, also a bit rainy and grey but the water visibility was fantastic. Naomi and I had a nice little snorkel around the boat while Jamie made his mother’s recipe for fish pie with a cheese sauce assist from Matt. My first fish pie ever and wow, what a delicious dish, buttery curry rice topped with succulent mao mao and a creamy cheese sauce, baked to a browned perfection. Then Matt and I kayaked to shore for a quick wander, leaving time to travel to Mt. Maunganui though we both agreed we could’ve stayed and explored for days. The island is a wildlife sanctuary and you can hear the birds thriving in cacophonous song ringing from the tall Pohutukawa forest. A Kaka flew near by and we watched each other for a while as they perched maybe 20’ from where I crouched. An understory of fragrant Kawakawa, verdant ferns, and so many other beautiful plants opened below the canopy and the path we walked felt like a path through time to some primeval forest rich with biodiversity, balanced and healthy. Along the sandy beach cliffs rose in tortured veins of glossy green striped obsidian and piles of crumbling conglomerate. We reluctantly left and motored our way to Mt. Maunganui, passing massive container ships and coming into the busy industrial harbour right at sunset. Yesterday we missioned to shore for groceries and warm clothes from the op shops (second hand stores) and a walk around a cute downtown filled with boutiques and restaurants. I even found a plant based ice cream shop and indulged in an excellent ice cream sandwich. Jamie cooked once again, this time his signature nachos: also delicious, we may make him cook from now on. I had big plans of returning to shore today for the hot pools but the weather makes that daunting; the kayak into shore and back would be a wet and rather stressful endeavour with the wind and the current and the rain. So another cuppa perhaps and maybe a movie later and tomorrow if the weather settles we will be on the move again.