We stopped off the main highway on a bright sunny day at Kai Iwi beach. We dipped in the ocean, played at the playground on a flying fox (zipline), and layed out on our towels for a bit.
We drove to the little town of Wanganui to spend a night. Didn't expect to see much but were pleasantly surprised by the view from the Durie Hill Elevator and Memorial Tower. It was already a windy day, but being up at the top of the tower intensified it!
At the local i-site we inquired about seeing Putiki Church, containing intricate Maori carvings adorned with paua shell, a painted rib ceiling (as in Maori meeting houses), and two beautiful etched-glass windows.
After enjoying town for a little while, we drove into Whanganui National Park. It's a bit confusing, but the town's name has no h in it, but the river and the national park do. (In Maori Wh makes an F sound). We took a hike for a few hours and ended up at a stunning viewpoint of the valley with the river below.
Around lunchtime, we set up a sweet picnic next to our van. Since we have all the gear we need including a table, chairs, and an umbrella, picnicing can happen virtually anywhere.
Grilled cheese tastes a thousand times better outside!
