abandon the kayak and climb for your life

#61 Drive the Twin Coast Highway
Completed during autumn 2009. This is traditionally when roadworks are actioned in Northland so I spent many happy hours travelling at less than 60km. It was annoying but did allow me to look out at the scenery more than if I hadn't had an excuse to drive so slowly. It was a revelation driving around up north. I understand why settlers chose certain areas - the calm waters of the Hokianga harbour where you could choose to fish out of a window; the smooth plains of kumara country...actually that was a bit freaky. It was flat with nothing to break up the monotony of the fields. One particularly memorable town (memorable except for the name) had a long straight road leading to a line of about 20 houses arranged neatly along the edge with glimpses of empty stretching behind them. The road kicked to the right with another 15 houses lined up. After that a well constructed footpath stretched off into the distance and resolved itself at the area schools. Houses at one end. Schools at the other. It made me wonder what people did for a living. If I was unemployed and living in that town I think the space would drive me mad within the week.
Memorable moments - sharing a snaking gravel road with logging trucks; coming off that road to see in front of me the calm Hokianga harbour shining in the sun; a hawk lifting into the blue sky; stopping for a coffee and a chocolate bar and watching the waves; the Opua vehicle ferry; walking around Waitangi barefoot; a waka in the harbour at Waitangi;
Typical scenes - 'Watch out for the kiwi' signs; road works; lots and lots of roadworks; glimpses of the sea; tiny beaches; amazing views.