Knockin on heavens door, day 4, pukenui to twilight beach

Manja and I got up fairly early and began to try to get a ride out of pukenui to Reinga. We got as far as te kao, and began to walk the road. We then got picked up and brought to a campsite where we were reunited with nick and Mel! They told us they had gotten there on a single ride yesterday. It had taken us more than 10. >.<. We continued to walk north and let them hitch from the campsite. 7 km of hot, hilly Tarmac later we were finally piked up by a nice young couple who seemed equally shocked it had taken is that long to get a ride.

We rode to Reinga where we were awe struck by the end of the earth. Massive waves far off shore showed where the Pacific Ocean collided with the Tasman sea creating huge whirlpools. We sat at the point where Maori believe souls depart on their journeys across the ocean. I knew that my journey was about to begin.

 We walked downhill to our first beach and I put my hand in the Tasman sea for the first time.

 We then climbed over a short but hot pass through sand dunes 

down onto secluded twilight beach, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

 We set up camp and went for a swim in the sea. When our hot feet were cooled enough, we made dinner and watched the sunset over the waves as we listened to music.

Then the mosquitoes came out and we want to bed because mosquitoes are the worst things ever. Today was an incredible start to what I'm sure will be a long and difficult journey. I may have gone a bit overboard with the pictures today, but I think it was worth it!