Napier is so much warmer. Walked quite a distance along Marine Parade to hitch a ride to Cape Kidnappers, half an hour drive from town. Rakesh who has businesses in Hastings, Tauranga and Martinborough dropped us at Clive - halfway there. Jim the sailor was coming from the opposite direction; he totally went out of his way and sent us all the way to Clifton.


Walked along the beach for hours till the first nesting site Black Reef colony.




Climbed up a steep hill to find a massive colony sitting at the main plateau. Never seen wildlife of this scale and so close up.


Plateau colony


Each baby was next to an adult except for this one


Saddle colony


It started to get crowded during lunch time as the gannet safari tours arrived.


Overheard the tour operator explaining the story behind Cape Kidnappers. It was so named by Captain James Cook when Maori attempted to kidnap a Tahitian boy from his ship.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!


It was a long and painful walk back to Clifton as my feet were starting to act up again. A group of three from China working in Hastings stopped and dropped us at Clive. A seemingly rich and humorous lady sent us back to town.


I really think I'm too old to stay in cheap hostels. Archies Bunker's guests don't clean up after themselves. Dishes not washed, tables not cleaned, clothes strewn under the bed. Didn't sleep well as a guy was snoring but glad to finally get out of this dirty hostel.