Kai-iwi Beach

After getting a glimpse of the ocean on our trip to Wellington, we concluded that a visit to one of the more local beaches was in order.  We had been waiting for a day with good weather, since it had been very rainy, but eventually decided to grab our rain jackets and head to the beach anyway...rain or shine!

Kai-iwi beach is about an hour's drive from Palmerston.  All that rain made for very green hillsides...I couldn't help but take photos!

Since the cows didn't want to be overshadowed by all the sheep, here's one for them...

We drove through Wanganui on our way to the beach.  It was another location we seriously considered when choosing where to live and work in New Zealand.  It was very similar to Palmy and seems like a nice place to live.  We loved these phone booths that dotted the main avenue through town.

Perhaps I would feel differently if I had grown up near the coast, but I can't help but get a little thrill every time the ocean comes into view.

We loved how primitive and rustic the beach was...dark sand, cloudy skies, a mist in the air...it was unlike any beach we'd ever visited, and it was beautiful. 

The twins were very curious about this broken-up structure resting on the beach:

Landon liked getting close to it...

...but Luke ran away from it in a panic.  Something spooked him!

Of course, Rachel and I couldn't stop taking photos.  Peek-a-boo!

Right at the edge of the beach, there is a bridge which leads to a fun playground.

The most popular feature at the park was the zip line!  We all took turns trying it out.

We *heart* Kai-iwi Beach!