Pottering Around Pohara

During the week I spend in Takaka, I think I go to Pohara a total of five times - it is only 8 km down the road, and there are some great places to eat. My first drive down there is really just to get a sense of the vibe of the place - I see there's a coffee roaster just as you go into Pohara, then a big holiday park along the coast, with several bars and places to stay on the other side of the road. I carry on past the marina and actually end up right at the end of the road, at the DOC camp at Totaranui - the last bit is rather a twisty affair. On the way past what I think is Ligar Bay, I am impressed by the huge expanse of golden sand (this is Golden Bay after all), but need to be high to get a decent photo. I think I'll get one on the way back but, of course, by then the tide has come in very quickly, and there's nothing to see. I don't think the beach at Totaranui is particularly special, but since I was there, several of my Facebook friends have been and posted amazing photos.

Heading back, I pause at the marina, mainly because the rock formations around it are very cool, but also it turns out that this is a thing I do, I visit marinas - with no intention of ever having a boat (that said, I have stayed at the marina at Half Moon Bay in my caravan a couple of times). These are the rocks as I approach the marina from the Totaranui side.

Then I stand at the marina, to see how the rocks look from there.

As for the marina itself, most of the boats tied up are commercial, but there is also a wee bay with several yachts.

Somewhere along the way, I see what seems to be a lighthouse, stuck well away from the coast. Investigation reveals it to be attached to a house - which reminds me of the Grand Designs episode where they built what they called a lighthouse - this one looks a lot more like one.

I come back one day for a coffee at the Totally Roasted coffee roastery, as it has had very good reviews, but must have come too early, because there is very little food on offer. It still seems to be quite popular. Rather than head back into Takaka, I wander the coastline a bit, encountering a fellow who is obviously just out of the sea as I do - he tells me the water is deliciously warm. I'm happy to take his word for it.

A far better idea is to take my book into the nearest pub - Korora’s Nest - for a beer and to take my chances with lunch. I get a pretty good steak sandwich.

Little do I know it, but I am destined to return. In an odd coincidence, friends from Dunedin have also decided to spend some time at Takaka, and we arrange to have dinner. My walking about has encouraged me to suggest we meet at another bar, the Kotare Sands, so my friends make the booking. I sit at the table they have booked and am enjoying a pint and the live music, when my friends text to find out where I am. Yes - they have gone to the wrong place, but there are two of them and only one of me, so I have to move. Its a good thing I do, because I come back the next night to try the food at Kotare - its alright, but the food at Korora's Nest is splendid. My marinara might not look very flash, but it is well cooked and very tasty and my friends rave about their steaks with potato gratin.

But the pies, oh, the pies! Best apple pie I have had in a long long time! It is more of a cakey concoction than pastry, but so delicious.