I am making one last post to share the beauty Meg and I experienced on the remote beaches of the Catlin coastal country on the southern tip of South Island, New Zealand. This area, and specifically Nugget Beach and Nugget Lighthouse, will always be a special memory.
Nugget Point lighthouse, Nugget Beach, CatlinsNugget Point lighthouse, Nugget Beach, CatlinsNugget Point lighthouse, Nugget Beach, CatlinsCatlins, Nugget beach, Nugget Beach Lodge, Curio BayCatlins, Florence Hill, Tautuka BayCatlins, Florence Hill, Tautuka Bay blowholeCarlins, Purakaunui Falls
Catlins, Nugget beach, Nugget Beach LodgeNugget Point lighthouse, Nugget Beach, CatlinsNugget Point lighthouse, Nugget Beach, CatlinsNugget Point lighthouse, Nugget Beach, CatlinsNugget Point lighthouse, Nugget Beach, CatlinsCatlins, Nugget beach, Nugget Beach Lodge
Continuing the theme of the “Camelot” magic of the Catlins.
We spent three nights at Nugget Beach at a wonderful place, the Nugget Lodge. I had reserved a room at this two unit motel four months earlier, and 8,000 miles away. I was thrilled to arrive and see this incredible beach. I really had no idea that a choice from an internet site would turn out so spectacular.
The first picture shows Pauline, our gracious hostess, pointing out the beach. We stayed in the “Sea Lion” unit. We would watch sea lions on the beach in the late afternoon and early morning. Nugget Lighthouse framed the view in the other direction. An isolated beach lay below the road to the lighthouse. From a blind above the beach, we could watch yellow eyed penguins come ashore in the early evening.
I walked the beach early each morning. Sunrises were superb. A storm blew in the last morning—wind and light rain. I had planned to stay indoors. Fortunately Meg wanted to take a walk nonetheless. Unbelievably, a full rainbow appeared, giving us an unforgettable memory and confirming that you must be “there,” despite the weather, if you want memorable images.
The beach has become my mental retreat location where I can truly renew myself with its serenity and memories of deep and stimulating time shared there with Meg. We will come again.
Catlins, Nugget LodgeNugget Lodge, Nugget Beach, CatlinsNugget Lodge, Nugget Beach sea lion, Catlin sea lionCatlins, Nugget Beach sea lionCatlins, Nugget Beach sea lionCatlins, Nugget Beach, Nugget Point sunriseCatlins, Nugget BeachCatlins, Nugget Beach, Nugget Point waves
Vigorous seas, whipped by Antarctic winds, can make offshore seafaring dangerous, and on onshore life challenging at Nugget Point and the Catlin beaches. Yet most of the time calm dominates. The scenic beaches are serene, and the residents resilient.
Nugget point, CatlinsNugget point, CatlinsNugget point, Catlins, Nugget LodgeNugget point, Catlins, Nugget LodgeNugget point, Catlins, Nugget LodgeNugget point, Catlins, Nugget LodgeNugget point, Catlins, Nugget Lodge