We just had to go back.

That's right, we had to go back to Waiheke Island and Oneroa Beach. While it's true that we had just spent our 45th anniversary out there, we didn't get our fill of the place on September 1st. So, since the boys were away this weekend, Jeanne and I thought we'd repeat our adventure on Saturday. 

But guess what? During those two months, summer has arrived and with it, hoards of locals and tourists. The last time we went, we arrived at the pier about 10 minutes early, got in line and away we went. This time, we got there about 25 minutes early and found ourselves at the end of a very long line that snaked back and forth 3 times down the pier and back. We didn't make it on to the ferry, we had to wait another 1/2 hour for the next one. Look at the crowd ahead of us and consider that this is after moving slowly through the line for more than half an hour already. 

When we finally got aboard, we found that it was their largest ferry. I'm leaning against one side and showing you the width. It has three decks and all were filled, I'm sure to capacity.  

 It wasn't long before I spotted another boat directly behind us. I wasn't sure at first but as I watched, I could see that it was gaining on us, and fast. I wondered who it could be?

The words of Vizzini, the 'inconceivable' villian from The Princess Bride, spoken to Inigo Montoya, after they had kidnapped Buttercup from Florian, and as they watched what turned out to be Westley's boat catching up to them, came to mind. "Probably some local fisherman, out for a pleasure cruise at night, through eel-infested waters."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGcat9tGZVU

It wasn't long however before I could see that it was just another Fuller's Ferry and it was easily passing us. That ferry was in turn being chased by a guy in a wet suit on a jet ski. (that's one solution to the long lines at the pier.)

There it goes. Looks pretty full too.

The jet-skier finally abandoned this unarmed frigate, and came over to run up our wake for a while. 

 I'm still on the rear deck of the ferry and doing a bit of bouncing about.  (hence part of a highly zoomed-in head in the corner) The view behind us shows that we have just passed the tip of Motutapu Island with Auckland in the distance. 

Notice that behind Auckland, you can dimly see the Waitakere Range. As it happens, Henderson and our home lies just a whisker to the right of the Sky Tower and about 10 kilometers, as the crow flies, behind it. 

 Ahhh, we have arrived. Jeanne and I have about had our fill of jostling crowds. Now, if we can beat most of them off the ferry, hurry through the terminal, and jump on the first bus we can, we will very shortly be on the beach again. 

We did it. Got on to the first bus in line and have been dropped on Oceanview Road. You can see the beach directly below us. 

 You know how it is sometimes, when you're on vacation and you meet another couple who immediately feel like old friends? That's how Jeanne felt about meeting our new and very good friends, Donald and Gretta Duck. Jeanne named them, remembering and honoring the two American Pekins who were part of the menagerie living on our first 20 acres many years ago. 

Donald and Gretta enjoyed some crusts of bread and lettuce leaves from our sandwhiches. 

 You probably recognise this rocky area from my other post.

These volcanic rocks are so sharp...why don't the waves wear them down and smooth them out after a few eons? 

Well, I read something about that this morning. This type of rock has air pockets in them, many of them extremely small, even nano-sized. The pockets have been described as being perfume-bottle shaped. As the rock slowly wears away above each of them, these pockets continually open up and bare their own sharp sides. It's astounding, ingenious. If you wanted to design a self-sharpening scouring surface, this would be it. It will stay every bit as abrasive as it was on the first day it was created. It will get smaller and smaller of course, but it will stay just as rough as it ever was, until the day it disappears all together. 

Sounds very much like a fractal to me. 

I'm amazed yet again. 

You know, the creatures inhabiting a tide pool like this one enjoy regular quiet times.  I wonder if they look at the returning ocean the same way a human commuter might look at his arrival in the city at the start of another hectic business day?

I can just imagine some little hermit crab in there saying, "I'll just stop here for a double expresso takeaway so I'll be ready for the next wave of business."   

 I'll bet that most people walking along this stretch of beach hardly notice that crack in the rock. It's narrow and the shadow inside, especially on a sunny day like this one, make it hard to see into at all. And the rocks are rough as. 

But I'm not most people. I not only noticed it but wondered how far back in it went? 



 It's not very tall so I'll have to crawl up to it on my hands and knees. I can see it goes in a little ways at least. It narrow, but I think I can just make it in. 

I had to push a little as shoulders met the narrow opening, but I made it. The passage became slightly wider once I was inside. This picture was taken about 20 feet into it. Do you see the brown rock up against the wall ahead? 

I'm right in front of that rock now. It's much dimmer back here. I thought about flipping open my flash and getting a good shot back into the depths of the passage that you can just barely make out, but I was full of sand by this time and didn't want to handle my camera more than necessary. The passage goes in about another 25 feet. If I were 35 again, I could have wriggled my way to the end of it but at 67, I was happy at this point to turn myself around and head back out. I'll bring my headlamp next time. I won't get in any farther, but I'll have a better picture to show you. 

I'm going to continue with our adventure in my next post. See you then.     -djf