This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 25-year-old bookmark (I haven’t aged at all since I first wrote this introduction) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).
Today’s travel notes
Me and the TC, plus the TC’s other travelling companion, are on New Zealand’s North Island. We spent a bit of time exploring Cathedral Cove, Hahei Beach, and the routes from the one to the other.
My impressions? Rock, sand and sea, in perfect harmony.
The book I’m in
Rat Run, by Gerald Seymour. A mix of crime, terrorism and psychology. I’m looking forward to finding out what happened to make the hero the way he is.
Travel tip
The walk from Cathedral Cove carpark to the cove itself will probably take you less time than the sign-posted 45 minutes. The TC did it in under half an hour (one direction).
Recommended restaurant
Hahei Beach Café, 3 Grange Road, Hahei 3591, New Zealand. The food is good, although not fancy. The service is friendly and efficient.
Recommended accommodation
Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge, 174 Vista Paku, Pauanui. A restful lodging with welcoming hosts. Be aware that the nearest supermarket closes at 6.30pm. Any others are far away, so stock up as soon as you arrive.
The photos
Me at the entrance to Cathedral Cove on New Zealand’s North Island:
You can only get to Cathedral Cove on foot or by boat. The closest car park is about half an hour’s walk away (though the signposts declare the walk to be 45 minutes). We chose to walk from the carpark to the beach. It’s an easy stroll along a well-kept path, with views over the sea and bush.
Here’s the view from the Cathedral Cove carpark, at the start of the walk:
Here’s another view of the entrance to Cathedral Cove at the end of the walk, unadorned by this worm’s noble form:
The entrance is an open-ended cave leading to Cathedral Cove from the next-door Mare’s Leg Cove. Walking through the cave onto the beach:
This imposing rocky pinnacle is called Te Hoho:
A view from the other side of Te Hoho, with a bird fortuitously in the shot:
Looking back at the entrance from the other side, on the water at Cathedral Cove:
Jonathan was there too, although a little less sure of himself than is his wont. Perhaps his equanimity was disturbed by the frothy ecstasy of the approaching wave:
A typical New Zealand tree skeleton stands sentinel on the beach:
Rather than walking back to the carpark, we took a water taxi from Cathedral Cove to Hahei Beach. Here’s the water taxi after we disembarked at Hahei Beach:
Then we walked from Hahei Beach back to the carpark, which takes about 20 minutes. Here’s a view of Hahei Beach from the walking path:
And the sea through the trees:
A view from the other side of the lagoon and Tairua Harbour, where we lodged at Pauanui:
That’s all for today, folks.
Travelling Worm 
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