The Haruru Falls: An Euphoria of Discovery

"Trusting without judgement is obeying what has already been done spiritually,
 Asking why is asking for a lie...
 Love, Joy, Acceptance, Blessing, Gratitude.
 Give up the hope of a better past..."

After slightly losing my focus recently due to personal reasons relating to matters of the heart, I'm happy to be able to return to the intended theme of my blogs...which is tall tales and short stories! The original working title of this blog was 'The Day That Changed My Life', but I felt that was a bit dramatic and there have been many days which have changed my life at one junction or another, so it'll be difficult to single any one day out. But the day in question with regards to this blog was indeed an 'Euphoria of Discovery'.

Up until four years ago I'd never really challenged myself, or pushed myself out of my 'comfort zone'. Yes, it's true that I'd continually moved location within the UK, changed jobs, and turned up in new towns and cities not knowing a soul, but once I did this once thereafter was never a problem for me.
I had developed a gipsy's lifestyle, never settling anywhere for too long, but I had also sensed that a yearning to travel, and to explore, and to seek adventure was burning away with desire deep within myself.

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer..."

With the exception of the whole of southern England, the extent of my travel had only been to various destinations in Ireland, so I knew that if I was going to truly explore and challenge myself then I needed to journey to the other side of the world, so that I could realize a life-long dream by visiting New Zealand.
The specific story that I'd like to regale here is also one of great personal significance, because at the time it did truly change my life, as it gave me the confidence to really push myself and to be adventurous.

What was this tale I hear you ask? ~ well, let me begin...

On my discovery of the two stunning islands which make up New Zealand, I encountered many majestic sightings and experienced many fantastic achievements. Although my preference is undoubtedly the South Island, and in particular Queenstown, Wanaka, and Te Anau, it was actually an area on the North Island which took my breath away with it's beauty, and which is at the heart of this story.
Paihia  is situated just north of Auckland, and is commonly known as the entry point to The Bay of Islands. Joined alongside Paihia by a small bridge is Waitangi, which is actually believed by some to be the birthplace of NZ. This is due to the historic treaty which was signed in 1840, where an agreement was reached to the running of the country between the Maori Chiefs and the British Crown. The colonial Waitangi Treaty Grounds remains a tourist attraction and directly opposite the grounds lies a golf course and an intriguing signpost which caught my attention: 'Haruru Falls ~ 10km'.
I decided to venture towards this trail and see what developed and how my trek would unravel...

I began my journey tentatively walking along a narrow flint footpath which hugged one side of the back nine of the golf course.This was quite gentle and pleasant, so my confidence grew with adventure although it was obvious even at this stage that there was some type of history attached to this trek. The whole of the country is beautifully maintained, yet there were signs of damage along the path which was very suprising when compared to all that I had witnessed so far.
Then suddenly the path took a sharp turn left, away from the golf course and the previous flint path transformed into a combination of gravel, clay, and mud. And where I experienced space just before, I was now confronted by tight over-hanging, tropical plants, and the sensation that the forest was closing in on me. Additionally the climate suddenly changed from warm, pleasant sunshine to humid, light rain. It was then at this point that I had a decision to make...
All of a sudden the encroaching forest retreated, to be replaced by an open, bubbling swamp, and the only means of crossing this swamp was by way of a rickety, partly broken, zig-zaggy old foot-bridge with no hand rails on either side.
What was I to do?
My initial instinct was to turn back, but why come all this way and not venture any further. I chose to press on regardless, without thinking that I was totally isolated and that nobody knew where I was. It was a decision that would prove to be an inspired one, because once I crossed the bridge the whole landscape changed once again. Every turn of the countless bends along the trail over the next few miles opened up different mysteries. There was wildlife, there were mangrove forests, there were sharp climbs and treacherous drops, but there remained complete satisfaction with the tranquil peace and sense of discovery.
Within a few hours I began to hear the noise of the waterfall, and once I finally reached it I was filled with a great sense of personal achievement. In the end the sight of The Haruru Falls was not as spectacular as one would imagine, but the journey to get there definitely was!
On the return trek the heavens opened with a tropical rainstorm, although under the protection of the forest this didn't particularly impact on me too much. When I eventually returned to Waitangi, I did so with much relief and much joy, as I had realized that I had pushed myself way beyond my comfort zone, and I had proved to myself that no challenge was insurmountable.

I later discovered that I had been right about the aforementioned damage, as during the previous year there had been terrible flooding in the area, and the whole path had to be re-landscaped, so I was even luckier than I imagined to be able to complete this trek.
The day itself was completed by joining up with some wonderful friends, Christine & Brian Mountford, and we enjoyed a fantastic evening meal on the Paihia pier restaurant, containing freshly caught dory fish, washed down with my favourite 'Mac Gold' lager...happy times!

The following day was equally memorable for the fact that I awoke early and caught the most beautiful sunrise on Paihia beach...an image which I'm never tired of showing or using to advertise my blogs. This photo is featured at the foot of this blog, along with one of The Haruru Falls.

And finally talking of photos....
Unfortunately, with the exception of the Paihia sunrise all photographic evidence of this specific adventure has since been lost, but I know that I did send some pictures to my great friends Denise Beaven & Glenn Courtney at one time or another...so Denn & Glenn, if you're reading this please could you trawl through your computer when you get a chance, just in case you find a file containing these images ~ believe me, it would be very greatly appreciated!

Steve M