Part of the Mason Bay tramp.....
New Zealand Robin
View of the bay from my new place of stay!!
New Zealand Robin
View of the bay from my new place of stay!!I peer across Half Moon Bay at where I once was, at that red, red roof, at that terracotta roof. That roof is different now than when I first arrived on the island, the red terracotta has dimmed and the beam that once was, shines now with a little displeasure but assurance peaks through and proves all will still go on. I sit almost opposite that red terracotta roof on a most welcomed deck. A deck that wraps around an old grey home, like a mother hugging her child, keeping all in her arms warm and full of love. Even sounds are different on this side of the bay, the boats and ships in the water sway different with the tide. Oban appears to be the same place, but gives off an embrace that I had not felt before.
I look out at the water and I hear the seagulls call, the bees buzzing, the waves crashing, the wings of the birds fluttering, the grasses tossed by the wind and I know this embrace has always been present. This embrace has always been awaiting my acknowledgment. My eyes have been marveling in the beauty of this place, but now I can dive into it with all of my senses and allow this new residence to drown me.
Stewart Island's green practically spills out into the water, inviting any child, of any age to come and play. With the Rakiura National Park making up nearly the entirety of the island its no wonder that travelers from all over the world revel in the marvels of Stewart Island. (Its interesting, a lot of New Zealands' own people have yet to explore their southern anchor.) In the Maori culture, Stewart Island is the anchor that is attached to the boat, (the South Island) which is catching the fish (the North Island). I have started at the anchor, submitting to strengthening my core, and by doing so, anchoring who I am, anchoring ME. When the time is right, I will set out to explore with the boat.
For now, I am set here to anchorage, to secure myself within the waters of this life....and what gorgeous waters they are. Brilliant blue and green hues highlight the golden sand beaches that display their enormous boulders with pride like a lion and the humbleness of my Grandfathers. Every morning the sun glistens through the lace curtains of the spare room in dear Coral's house, to welcome me to another day, another adventure. I have found a place in Stewart Island where I will anchor and lavish in the comforts of a sweet lady's home. I will tend to her gardens, make her cups of tea, do a little house work, learn some of her cooking secrets and skills, and perhaps if she lets me, play a game of scrabble with her and this gentleman named Collin. All of this wonderful delight for accommodation here, in her beautifully gentle and humorous home.
The pitter-patter of the rain reminds me of home and I wonder, what are all of you are doing right now? What anchors hold to you places or have held you to places in your past? Is it time to cut the chain on an anchor that currently holds you and therefore become released? Perhaps it is time to BE the anchor and stay awhile in a particular space, a particular state of mind....for an anchor could also be a means of stability.
The other night I was serenaded by the moon as it rose out of the sea, it was just magnificent. There it was, this natural wonder gorgeous to behold, gleaming up in the dark periwinkle sky, wreathed in a few small puffs of golden-white clouds. The reflection of the moon light on the sea lit up like a pathway that would take you to a far away land and, if you asked it would lead to all the answers that you have been searching for. I wanted to take that pathway that night, I wanted to leap into the sky, walk up the lite path to the moon and look out upon the world. The moon in Washington is different from the moon here, the faces aren't the same. I wouldn't have expected them to be but it was a dream-like shock to look up and see another unfamiliar face. The unfamiliar feeling didn't last long as the swift, sweet breathe of complete reassurance and peace twirled all around and inside of me. I danced in the moon light that night, and laughed and laughed and laughed, and I recommend it to everyone! The moon may show different faces depending on where you are, but it is still the moon, just like where ever we go, we are still who we are.
A most wonderful Irish woman and myself went on a tramp, (an over night hike) recently and with every step through the trees and mud we could feel the weight of the passed week run off of us like a river running down the side of a mountain....the feeling is almost indescribable. We had been hiking in the unbelievable wilderness for a remarkable hour when we found ourselves out in the open surrounded by wet lands and sand dunes for as far as the eye could see. We were the only humans around for miles, and we could feel that distance, it felt so natural, so normal that we wanted to hold onto to it forever. The landscape sweeps over us like wings of a massive bird just beginning to take flight, so soft, so gentle and yet so powerful. We found ourselves laughing uncontrollably that entire evening and even more when we stumbled upon a Kiwi...New Zealand's bird of birds. All through out the week prior we had been in contact with many, many people who had desperately wanted to see a Kiwi but had not, and now here we were, two people that didn't mind one way or another and we had just stumbled upon one. Its fantastic how this world operates , you just never know what you may find around the next corner, and we all have so many corners to take in this life....enjoy them all!!
Namaste. Enjoy your beautiful day and know that you are loved.
