Paul Tombleson

Stepping into the past

Driving from the Auckland airport to Waiwera was a true emotional journey. The memories of my growing up inundated me as I navigated the roads and towns of my childhood. It also brought visceral moments of those who closely shared my first 20 years of life who have since shed their mortal coils. Rest in Peace Mum.

The weather was fine and the sun shone unique southern hemisphere light. Some say the light is due to the hole in the ozone giving its own color and hue. What ever it is it is different for sure.

Pohutukawa... Mystic trees (Wenderholm)

With all the now modern roads and highways what was once 1.5 hours drive is now 40 minutes. The B+B we booked on the inlet side of Waiwera was cute and the owners personable and extremely accommodating, even down to having there own private hot tub with the famous hot spring water piped in from next door.

B+B Waiwera

The main hot springs just a short distance down the road toward the beach lived up to their healing and soothing properties. The mud raps, Swedish massage and bottled spring water are also highly recommended and more…ish.

Next day we do a little site seeing around the area. New Zealand truly is a unique place with its natural

Looking Left from Pa (Mahurangi)

evergreen landscapes and beauty subtlety drawing you in and holding you

Looking Right from Pa (Mahurangi)

captivated. The native Christmas tree the Pohutukawa grow old by

twisting and turning into shapes that elicit fairytale images with faces that stare out at you.

The bays and beaches just north of Waiwera are classic post card stuff, every one of them. Standing on a Maori Pa (fort/village) and looking left and right the views of almost deserted beaches inviting one to dig their toes into the sand, take a dip and relax. You can see why the Maori people fought to keep their vistas and way of life in the land they called Aotearoa, “Land of the Long White Cloud”. For me it is fast becoming the Land of the Long Visual Memories.

Bearded old soul on top of the Pa (Pohutukawa)