Ramble
Quest - Musings on Mount Maunganui.
My first impression of Tauranga is generally negative -- too much traffic, ugly suburban houses, and a waterfront that is generally reserved for highways and shipping containers. Mount Maunganui, near the main beach, Moturiki Island, and "the Mount" is much better. While there I come to the realization that I've been almost compulsively hiking for the past week, constantly climbing, trekking, and perambulating about towns. So, I have a lengthy contemplation on the back side of the Mount before tackling the summit.
The sea gurgles contendedly as waves gently embrace the strips of rock jutting out from the monolith. A sea lion sunbathes in shallow waters that turn from blue to green as clouds pas overhead. A kingfisher swoops down on something in the water, flies up to a tree and wacks its food against a purple flowered tree branch before swallowing it. I can hear the distant bleating of sheep from pastures around the bend.
While gazing at the millions of sea shells on the beach I start to see them as the final remains of dead animals. A few people pick through them, collecting them, just like grave robbers I think. Picking up a handful myself I examine their intricacies. I consider all the trails and roads I've walked in my life and ponder the pointlessness of it all. My bones (or ashes) will lie in the earth soon enough, just like the shells of the sea creatures.
Maybe I shouldn't climb atop the Mount? Just another view, right? I'm tired, a bit sore, and not exactly in the mood for it. I probably won't be missing much.
Then I climb the Mount anyway, just to spite myself. I enjoy the views, take a deep breath, and vow to climb as many hills as I can, so long as I am able to. I reward the weary knees with a soad in the hot water pools near the base.
Internet access is $2 an hour in Aukland and $9 in Tauranga? There's good fish and chips to be found at the Fish Market on the road to the bridge, by the water. Tauranga YHA is good with a cozy garden outside.