Summer is long gone. At least for the past two weeks, it felt like a distant memory...
Yet today, it was summer. Summer again. Summer at the beach. Summer in my heart. And sand between my feet. An endless, joyful, peaceful summer. Full of fun and warm memories. When the sky is blue, the water clear, the sun shining, in so many ways.

And sweet sweet sweet discoveries. Of an endless summer at Tahuna Beach.

Looking for the best place for an unforgettable picnic? A day out that you will remember for the rest of your life? Search no more! We found it! It's called Wenderholm, and it's one of the most beautiful and actually the very first Auckland regional parks that was opened to the public in 1965! And only half an hour's drive North of Auckland. A real hidden treasure, definitely not overcrowded by tourists.

Breathtaking pohutukawas, a wide variety of beautiful trees, lush coastal forests, the smell of the sea, the sound of the waves, a colourful variety of chirping birds, tranquility and happy giggles, a fascinating estuary, a lot of green space to relax and unwind, barbecues, walking tracks, a campground and even a historic house awaits. ​So so worth, an absolute must see and a "must feel" if you have some time to discover the region. :) Here are my favourite moments, and who knows, they might inspire you to pay a visit one day... 

Today I started the day early. Benefits of the jet lag. :) We have been away for some time. We were back home. And now we are back home. Evergreen paradox of the global living, switching countries, switching lives. :)

As I was walking down the beach this morning, I felt incredibly peaceful. I missed this beach. The beach that means in a way home to me for the last year. The smell of the sea, the sound of the waves, the morning sun. The space. The energy. The ocean bliss. And all the relaxed feelings it comes with. People taking it easy. Having a walk. Happy doggies running around, playing in the water. A total no stress attitude. A total slow down. Living the moment. It was good to be away a bit, and to look at it again, with a fresh eye. 

Haven't posted these for a while. Missed them. Here is the newest one. :)

Inspired by Tolkien's wisdom.
And Doubtful Sound. 

The greenest greens, the bluest blues.
Rivers meet the sea. Farmland till your eyes can see.  
Waves hit the rocks, surfers hit the waves.
Tides come, tides go. 
​Boats set sail. Shells line up. Stars shine bright. 
And the sun paints the sky with the colours of the rainbow.

Whangarei. Your fresh air makes our skin glow. :)

This is basically it when I want to sum up the last few days spent in Whangarei. Found the perfect spot to relax and soak up with energy and the breathtaking surroundings. Just the regular stuff. Watch some surfers, pick shells, go fishing and eat fresh fish, enjoy the smells of the farm and the belly warming feeling of the electric fence while checking out some cows... ;)

And nature keeps inspiring. And what needs to happen always happens.

Just like this sunset. With the huge rock appearing in the tiny shell.

​Chrystal clear...

I woke up very early today. Everything was so quiet. Still dark. For some time, I didn't know what to do, I'm absolutely not used to waking up at this time. But then I looked out of the window. 

The moment of sunrise...

And a sudden adrenaline rush. Excitement. A quick and spontaneous decision.
​I headed to the beach. I wanted to be there. To see this!

I have been trying to find the best way to express how I have been feeling recently. To put it in words. To write it down. To make it "tangible". To visualise it. To see it clearly in front of me, with my own eyes. To better understand it. To truly embrace it.

​Guess what I came up with?! :)

Huge waves. Incredibly huge. They start forming somewhere far away... Where the water meets the sky. Where blue meets blue. Then they get closer, building up slowly. Power, height, strength, curls. Everything. And that moment when they turn white. Ohhh I love that moment! So wild!
​
I look down from the top of the cliffs. Gazing towards the blue horizon. Watching the surfers. Excitement in the air. Waiting. Waiting for the right moment. Waiting for the right wave...

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved spending time on the beach. Walking barefoot in the sand, toes splashing in the water. Sun caressing my face. Wind playing with my hair. The salty smell of the ocean in my nose. The chirping of the seagulls. Listening to the little stones, sea shells dancing in the water. Riding with the waves. And then washed ashore. Taking a sunbath...