2743 Homunga Bay to Waihi Beach, 14 Jan 2018

The first tramp of the year started with a hiss and a roar, turning up on Sunday morning only to find not one but two vans with a total of sum 22 trampers! A great turn out and again some new faces among the crew.

We made good time to our starting point where we all introduced ourselves and set off at a very leisurely pace under a beautiful clear blue sky.  We were met with great views of the ocean and coastline. We reached Homunga Bay, had a water and snack stop, then made our way to Orokawa Bay.

By now the sun and heat had turned up a few notches - it was very hot especially walking inland where there was no sea breeze which made tramping challenging & sweaty!  However, the views were worth it and there were great photo opportunities along the way. We descended into Orokawa Bay around lunchtime and found a great spot under some pohutukawa trees looking out to the ocean.

Then we decided who wanted to do the side trip to William Wright Falls.  The bulk of the group decided to make their way back leisurely to Waihi Beach and only 5 hardy trampers walked to the Falls.  I hear it was not an easy walk, made more difficult by the afternoon heat.

The track back to Waihi Beach is very popular and quite easy.  Once back to the vans everyone ditched their sweaty clothes for togs and most got in the water for a swim.  Once the 5 had returned from the Falls walk we changed, packed up, and left for Paeroa where we stopped for the traditional ice cream before making our way back to Hamilton.

Thank you to Selwyn for leading this very popular trip and also the van drivers Ron & Jacqui Dick. 

The huge crew were Selwyn, Ron & Jacqui, Lois, Vivienne, Judith B, Wendy, Ray, Helen, Jamie, Max, Pamela & Alan H, Rizal R, Dania A, Lisa D, Ray H, Lois R, Amanda C, Judith B, Helen M, Viv & Des J, Veronica H, Jocelyn W, Wendy, Judy, and scribe Nette

Photos on FACEBOOK