Day 1 | Cape Reinga to Twilight Camp
14 October 2022 | 17°C | 12km
It’s already 4h30 pm when I arrive at Cape Reinga. After trying to hitchhike and waiting in the rain in Kaitaia, I finally book a ride to still arrive at the starting point in a reasonable time.
We pick up two French girls on the way. Turns out that they have been traveling in South America and Asia for 8 month already with New Zealand being their last stop before heading home for Christmas. A lot of interesting stories!
After taking the obligatory fotos at the lighthouse, I rush to the trailhead. A sign says 4hrs30 for 12km to get to Twilight Camp which would make it nighttime until I get there but I already sense that these are timings for very leisurely walkers.
It’s a great feeling to start walking! The weather is an interesting mix of sun, rain and wind but I enjoy the walk.
I reach camp at 7.30pm for a lovely sunset. Once I reach the top of the stairs someone shouts “There she is!“, it is Connor & Jens whom I already met in the bus to Kerikeri.
The winds picks up while I set up my tent and it’s a little struggle until I am done but I happily fall into my bed.
