Walk: Signal house track + beach, Whatipu (Waitakere Ranges). скачать в хорошем качестве

Walk: Signal house track + beach, Whatipu (Waitakere Ranges).

Once upon a time, I used to go out to Whatipu quite a lot - with loved ones and on my own. I loved it so much for how rich in history it is between maori settlement, kauri logging, the wharf that once was and how remote and wild it is in all its untouched beauty. This day, over a decade ago, I went out with the usual suspects; my cousin, B and our nephew, Lulu. Lulu was only 17 years old at the time but I remember this walk because that boy used to be scared of every creepy crawly and spider web along the track that he had B and I laughing so much on our return down the hill because he had bolted off to make a haste return to the bottom. I remember how B and I just couldn't stop giggling and laughing through the bush - sorry our WahLulu. It took us about an hour to reach Whatipu from West Auckland and the drive itself has always been an adventure - you see so much and travel past so much as well from bays, beaches, a main wharf, more tracks, lots of lookout stops, livestock and dams. The road is mostly sealed until you pass the small settlement of Huia and then it winds up narrow roads until you reach the metal ones that lead you to the Whatipu carpark. We took it upon ourselves to walk up the Signal house track, which is pretty much all the way up and steep from the bottom, a real killer on my calves when not warmed up properly - I really hated those tracks that began like that; worst nightmare. It was the beginning of Autumn in March, 2015 and so, it wasn't too hot and not too cold. it took us less than an hour to reach the end of the track and it actually has a stunning and scenic view atop of the beach, out to the Tasman sea, along the most remote part of the west coast of the Waitakere Ranges, over part of the Manukau Harbour and over to the South head. Also, you can often see and hear many planes flying above towards the airport. I remember reading something about this lookout, that the lookout person used to keep an eye out for approaching ships and would run down the hill and up Paratutate island to signal that they were approaching the bar crossing. At the lookout, we had snacks and B was quite happy that she pulled out her dance moves to a Sam Smith tune. The photo of B and Lulu looking out towards the harbour with the South head in the background has always been a favourite of mine and it is the pic in the thumbnail. As we made our descent down the track, much to the amusement of Lulu scampering down to hurry and pas all of the spiderwebs, we then made our way down to the beach. I have always remembered this walk to the beach as I think it is one of the most annoying short tracks I have ever walked in the Waitaks haha it's only 15minutes but it's through soft, moving and loose black sand. Tip: try to walk along the edge of the path where the sand is harder and impacted due to the flora growing next to it. Down at the beach, we walked towards Paratutae island where some remnants of the old wharf used to be. I have always thought that this island looked like a resting polar bear, which is a favourite animal of mine. As we explored and experienced, B enjoyed the two flows of the sea coming around the island from the front and back, which is quite unusual to see and even more exciting to experience. They stood at a point, trying to experience both flows of the water at the same time and you can see in the video how fast moving they are and a little bit intimidating as well. I have always thought that the sea on this side is wild, unpredictable and eerie but also wild, exciting and beautiful in its untamed state. The signal house track is also the beginning track to the more popular and scenic trail looking over part of the Manukau harbour - Omanawanui, which I have seen has had major upgrades; would have been nice over a decade ago people... hahaha Whatipu. The beginning of everything. March, 2015.