Proper=Good

From Roapuke Beach

We can either take the proper motorway to New Plymouth or we can take the scenic coast road and possibly surf on the way. "I'd like to take the coast, Susanna". Being the great sport that she is, we b-line back to the coast. The main little town we headed for was Maraokopa. A small fishing village, right next to Kiritihere Beach, where we were told to check out.

NZ's dry spell came to an end this day and it was pouring by the time we hit the coastline. We get to Maraokopa and head straight for K-Beach a few km down the road but the waves aren't that good. So we head back to the town where we it was breaking a bit better. I got ready and darted down the river mouth, probably 1/3 mile to the water. The rain brought all the surf fisherman in so I was the only one out there. The only person out there as far as I could see in any direction. It was pretty cool. In spite of the wind (offshore) and rain, the waves were fun. Waist high thumpers in shallow water. Reminded me of OCMD. Surf bug satisfied.

Mind you, almost every where in NZ there are sheep, cows, ostrich, pigs and more species of birds than you could ever recall. The next leg of our journey south brought more of the same. We basically we driving through farms and on access roads, but the backdrops were quite different. No more rolling grassing hills. We were driving through wooded forests, around steep cliffs, atop small tropical mountains, all the while with the coast line just of to our left. Half the drive was on gravel road and I thought we were lost more than a few times, but what we saw was worth it. Susanna remarked that some parts reminded her of the congo. Then before you know it you're down inside a valley straight out of Lord Of The Rings. The road was rough, the scenery was breathtaking and we even got caught in a little sheep herding traffic. Off the beaten path was definitely the proper way to go.