KEY POINTS:
Sitting fireside dipping toasted marshmallows into Kahlua seems a perfect way
to end a mighty fine day.
It's been an active one, too, so the adults deserve a treat.
My plan has been successfully executed: an inexpensive night away with family and friends full of old-fashioned - and largely free - fun. Yes, the credit crunch is hitting home; hence my mission to prove we could have a lovely break without it costing the earth.
We chose to head to Ohope Beach, about 120 kilometres away, which we considered a perfect distance for only one night's escape. At the time, petrol prices were still sky high, so the number of kilometres travelled was an issue. Plus,
let it be noted that 80 minutes in the car isn't enough for the "are we
nearly there yet?" nagging to kick in - not this time, anyway.
My girlfriend, Sue Lee, and I had been yearning to get our families down to this stretch of coast to tackle the three-hour coastal walk, Nga Tapuwae o Toi, over the hill from Whakatane to Ohope. The idea germinated last year when we braved bad weather and did the six-hour return tramp with a group of women friends.
Even then, in the rain, we could tell the coastal part of the walk was gorgeous, complete with pa sites, seabird colonies, native forests, birds and views offering that magical mix that strokes many a Kiwi soul - pohutukawa red,
Pacific blue and sandy shores.
The sun is shining the day our group of eight heads off, having devoured our picnic lunches on Whakatane's waterfront.
It's fair to say the kids, who range in age from 7 to 14 (both families have left elder sons at home), weren't all necessarily thrilled about the bush walk idea. Yet, within minutes, the younger boys have found sticks to wield while the teenagers have disappeared ahead out of sight.
Being in the lead is apparently strategic, as they get to periodically pounce
on us from their trackside hideouts ... when they're not emitting wild animal
noises from the undergrowth.
When the water views unfold, our 10-year-old commandeers the camera and has plenty of fun feeding his artistic side. (This same child was impressed with the vertigraph on the steps at the start of the walk: 43 horizontal planes of glazed tiles created by local artists. Each forms its own picture, yet when viewed from a distance the panels form a continuous picture of local flora and fauna.)
Before leaving Tauranga, we've checked the tides, as part of the walk is along Otarawairere Bay and is impassable one hour either side of high tide.
Rock-hopping, building a driftwood bivouac and fossicking for starfish and
crabs keeps everyone entertained at this beautiful bay.
The weekend offers many more opportunities for beach action as our gang of eight is booked into OceanSpray Homestay on Ohope beach, where our accommodation is a swift pipi throw over the dunes to the water.
With the beach as our playground, it's easy to keep ourselves occupied for
hours without spending a cent. We've brought along bats and balls, which keeps the competitive males happy for quite some time.
Long garden spades have also been packed for some serious digging and sand-sculpting - activities which have the knack of tempting people of all ages.
Then it's a compulsory game of touch rugby. My girlfriend and I are hardly seasoned touch players, so our antics provide plenty of entertainment for the men and kids. I hide a grin when I overhear my 14-year-old tell his pal: "My mum's cottoning on quickly. She's going to be all right."
While it is too cold to swim during our visit, our fabulous hosts, John and
Frances Galbraith, provide some on-the-water action. They own two kayaks and,
most weekends, John will row out with his long line in search of kaimoana.
Our friend, Marty, and teenagers Adam and Ollie take it in turns to help John
row out to drop the line, check it later and then reel it in. In my mind, hauling in the long line is a quintessential kiwi experience - especially
when there's a good catch to be had. We are happy to note John is a worthy
hunter/gatherer.
As dusk approaches, we share cold drinks on the Galbraith's deck, the children happily fortified by tins of home baking that greet all guests at OceanSpray. As we sup, we enjoy panoramic views of the East Cape and the active volcano that is White Island, only 50km offshore.
There's island action closer to shore off Whale Island. Here - only about 9km from shore - a 40m boat is being sunk. Once a fishing trawler, it's soon to
become a diving site.
As bellies start to rumble, we discuss dinner plans. Our intention had been to head out for takeaways from nearby Ohiwa. But dinner is an option at this homestay and we decide to stay.
As chicken wrapped in pesto and bacon, prawns and lamb roll off the barbecue, we agree our dining choice was spot on. Much to the children's delight,
toasted marshmallows, provided by our hosts, follow the meal. The kids then settle down to watch a DVD or flick through books (there's an impressive array of both on offer).
Dinner is the only meal we pay for on our break. Day one saw us enjoying a packed picnic lunch, then on the morning of our departure we are spoilt for choice with what is provided as part of the $150 family accommodation deal.
Obviously the teenage boys also believe the fridge is well-stocked, as both took photos of its contents to show their older brothers back home - confirming the close bond that boys and food share.
There's no pressure to leave our Ohope oasis in the morning. We dawdle on the beach and help John prepare for another successful seafood catch before packing up with promises to return.
We're all keen to check out Ohope's attractions, as varied as wharves that are reputably great to jump off to a hand-made chocolate enterprise.
The thirsty business of sightseeing is rewarded with a stop just before we head over the hill and out of town. At the Beach Haven dairy, they serve real fruit ice creams, which provide the perfect finale to a lovely and affordable
weekend away.
THINGS TO DO IN OHOPE
Enjoy a day trip to New Zealand's most active volcano. Phone 0800 733 529 for White Island Tours or contact Whakatane Information Centre for other tour providers.
Check out some of the local creative people. Artist Warwick Armstrong has his own gallery at 187b Pohutukawa Ave, which is open by appointment. Phone 07 312 558. Visit Jo-Anne Lenne's gallery at 4ArtSake at 33 Pohutukawa Ave. Her gallery showcases works by NZ artists as well as her own paintings and award-
winning jewellery. Phone 07 312 4223.
Visit Debbie and Craig Purdy at their boutique business - Scilla Chocolates at 132 Harbour Road or phone 0800 724 552. They are NZ producers of Belgian-style chocolate.
Get walking and be rewarded with stunning views. Contact Whakatane Information Centre (07 308 6058) for details on various walks
Check out The Shoe Fairy at 19 Pohutukawa Ave. Ohope is the base for
Australasia's distributor of Lelli Kelly shoes, a leading Italian brand of girls' footwear. Phone 07 312 6133.
Whale and dolphin viewing tours. Contact Whakatane Information Centre on 07 308 6058 for various options.
Celebrate local kaimoana. Visit the Ohiwa Oyster Farm where they grow their own oysters and smoke a variety of fresh fish. It's right by the harbour and only 1km south of Ohope. Phone 07 312 4565.
Check out Kenny McCracken's KG Kayaks business. Options include moonlight kayaking, guided tours of Ohiwa Harbour and Whale Island kayaking to name but some. Phone 07 315 4005.
Ohope hosts various events such as the October Birds-a-Plenty festival.
For more details phone 07 308 4098
Get lost at the Amazing Maze `n' Maize. It is within 10 acres of maize in
nearby Edgecumbe. It's open from the end of December to early May and even offers an after-dark, horror maize experience. Phone 07 304 9769.
