Te Araroa: end of an island
- Author
- alison young
- Published
- Thu 11 Feb 2021
- Episode Link
- None
Blissful Hiker is snubbed by a young hiker causing her to question friendships and her solo walk as she finishes the North Island with the help from, yes, friends.
In this episode:
- Blissful is dropped off where she left off on the Te Araroa in Paekakariki after a zero day with her trail angel family, Rob and George.
- It begins on the spectacular Escarpment Track past the beach at Plimmerton, along the Ara Harakeke Cycle Way, then through a noisy mall before she sets her tent, the alicoop, at Camp Elsdon.
- It's up over Colonial Knob where she meets a Dutch thru-hiker and his unfriendly girlfriend.
- From Mount Kaukau, there's a view of beautiful Wellington built on the hills along a string-of-pearls of bays and inlets.
- She "slackpacks" the city – hiking with a daypack – staying with friends-of-friends-of-friends, who treat her like family and hold her bounce box, a collection of gear she brought with her into New Zealand, including new shoes.
MUSIC: MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala and Introduccion y Allegro by Carlos Guastavino as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano
