I found peace this weekend. The sand, the salt, the sea, the stars, never before have I been so content. I felt at one with the sand and sea. My skin is burnt, my hair is matted in sand, my feet are cut, my ankles are bit and I could not be happier. I feel at one with the rocks I climb, the ocean I swim in, the sand I sleep in. There is a Buddhist mantra: No conditions are permanent; No conditions are reliable; Nothing is self. All is at one in peace and harmony between the soul, the body, and the earth. I felt that sitting atop the rocks looking out into the expansive sea.
The trip began with a ferry ride from Wellington to Picton. With the wind in our hair we sailed into the sunset. Being on the ferry reminded me of my childhood moving to Alaska. I remember having such a fun time on those ferry rides and when i walked past the children’s play area I smiled, my mind reliving the good times.
Once we arrived we drove to Nelson where we stayed for the night. The next morning we woke up and rented kayaks and we were off on an adventure. We chose to go to mosquito bay, around 15 km up the coast. Seemed easy enough until we faced the mad mile… Here the waves swallowed you and the wind ripped the paddle from your hands. It did not help that it was also beginning to storm. This was the hardest paddle I have ever faced sea kayaking and it was exhilarating. The motion of the waves rocking the boat, the knowledge of their power, yet overcoming them rising above and smashing down just before the next hit. Let’s just say its a good thing none of ys get sea sick.
Once we arrived at camp we found that we had chosen a secluded island beach surrounded by jungle to become our new home - or might i say paradise. We happily ate our sandy pb&js, And i fell asleep on the beach. By the time I woken up my beach had turned into an island and the sun had set long ago. I scurried to my hammock - jumped in sand and all - and snuggled in for a fantastic but chilly night of sleep.
The next day we paddled around the area and decided to explore the Tanga Arches and Barkes Bay. The arches came first. We paddled and paddled and looked at the map and could not find them. We saw some small rocks that had arch like qualities but were unimpressed. So we parked on the beach a little ways away and had lunch. The beach sand was like corn bread… yeah corn bread. But it was amazing none the less - pure, undeveloped, uncrowded, nature at its best. After some sand and peanut butter we decided to climb the rocks. Naturally I ran across the boulders watching them fly beneath my feet, not thinking twice just trusting that my feet will find earth beneath them as I bound along. When i rounded the corner I saw the arches for the real beauty that they were. No they weren’t what we expected, no they weren’t large and flashy. They were better. These arches were magnificent and sent shivers down my spine. So I climbed and I climbed until I was high above. And there at my perch I felt at home. Surrounded by jungle, ocean, and rock I was happy.
From there we went to Barkes bay. The tides here are insane to say the least. Every cycle boats go from 6 ft deep water in a lagoon to sitting on the hard ground of a dry wasteland. How one place can be so different over the span of half a day amazes me. Were they trapped by the tide or were they living with the tide in harmony? I guess i won’t know.
That night was the first time I truly saw stars. As I stared into the expansiveness of the milky way I was swaddled in the solidarity and insignificance and comforted by it. Time and space are forever, it keeps going even when we may not and we get to live in the presence of it. I find comfort in that. Whether we are here to acknowledge the stars or not they will always shine bright. The consistency is an anomaly. But they will always be there and I like knowing that the beauty is forever even though I may not always be able to see it.
Paddling the next day was fun but the highlight of the day was lunch. After living on a loaf of bread, a jar of jelly, and sandy peanut butter for three days… lunch has never tasted so good. I love the fact that you can appreciate a simple meal so much more when you have been in the absence of it. We weren't starving, not even close, but we severely underestimated how much food to bring (boys eat a lot more than we thought). But we embraced the emptiness in our stomachs knowing that once we filled them, we would appreciate it much more. Or at least that is how I like to look at it.
This trip was incredible. The simple things matter most: people who care and people who are happy. It's the little things in life that can provide the most value to it and make you the happiest you have ever been.
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