Omanawa Falls, NZ
When TLC wrote their 90's hit I'm sure this is not the type of waterfall they were talking about. This was most definitely worth the chase (and trespassing). In order to get to this beautiful waterhole you have to work for it. Getting to these falls was a mission but totally worth it. You are literally climbing tree roots to get up a hill face and then sliding down worn dirt paths and swinging off branches to get down said cliff face. A bonus of the hard climb was that you worked up enough of a sweet that jumping into the freezing cold water was a no brainer.
Heres a few tips:
Ignore the "no access" sign. (Is that legal to write?)
I DO NOT advice wearing jandles/flip-flops (if you do, your better off barefoot).
You absolutely need water!
Watch out for wasps.
Bring food that won't be easily squished and turn bad in the heat. You worked hard to get here, you don't want to leave cause your hungry.
Now these tips may seem like a no-brainer. However, the amount of people that showed up in jandles and a towel wrapped around their neck was a tad ridiculous. As a general rule of thumb, always where shoes in NZ when your off on an adventure, chances are you will encounter what is called gravel here which is actually just rocks. That being said, us Kiwis often go without shoes in general so its a tad confusing. Just be prepared okay? Okay!
Anyway, Ill let the pictures speak for themselves.
Looking back on this day-trip, it has so much relevance to my current situation. Go with people who will actually give it a go. The beginning is by far the hardest part, so you need people that will be able to do this. Otherwise all you get is a pretty view from the top. I've always been taught to surround myself with people who are willing to support me. Currently there is a lot about my life that is changing and I'm pretty s*** scared if I'm honest. Yet the smile on my face in this last picture would not have been achieved if I looked at the wall and said nope thats too hard. Sometimes life is hard but thats the only way you learn how strong you are, how great (or not so great) those around you are and how bloody awesome this world is!
ps. You found Lydia xx
