White Beach: Chasing Sundown

“It is easy to overlook this thought that life just is. As humans we are inclined to feel that life must have a point. We have plans and aspirations and desires. We want to take constant advantage of the intoxicating existence we've been endowed with. But what's life to a lichen? Yet its impulse to exist, to be , is every bit as strong as ours- arguably even stronger... Like virtually all living things, they will suffer any hardship, endure any insult, for a moment's additions existence. Life, in short just wants to be.”

~ Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything

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The plan was to head to West Auckland's Anawhata Beach to take a few long exposure photos of the water during sundown.

The sun was more than three quarters arch across the sky, and the long winding road to Anawhata an endless drive. When it seemed as though Anawhata was within reach – just another two bends down the road – the plan was waylaid: by an incredible view en route, a track to "White Beach", and a herd of cows across the road, congregating curiously around a couple of hikers.

Abandoning Anawhata for the unknown White Beach, I parked and hopped over the low gate onto the wide open Rose Track. Just a few metres away from this track was the equally stunning White track, leading to Piha. The steep gradient downwards on the Rose Track would turn out to be an unforgettable 30-minute walk towards the setting sun.

On the way down, Piha unfurled to the left like an undiscovered virgin world as golden brooms of toitoi covered the hillside. Further on, the young forest and the track plunged sharply towards the sea, and nearing the bottom, veered right onto a narrow walkway, where a lovely view of the sun setting over a deserted White Beach loomed so close, yet so far.

There was a sense of urgency to make it in time for the iconic long exposures of sunset. If conditions were right, waves in misty foam imbued with threads of colour would be captured as the sun was dipping into the horizon.

Having to trek back up the steep hill before dark also severely restricted time and compounded the sense of urgency.

As it happened, the long exposures did not pan out, much like the Anawhata plan. Once on the beach, the sun hid behind thick long paddings of stratocumulus clouds, claiming real estate right above the horizon.

A few abysmal shots later on this deserted beach – quickly becoming eerie as the light dwindled – I was already hightailing it back up the steep incline. Who was to know that trekking back up hurriedly would be an intense workout on par with Les Mills' Grit?

Despite best laid plans going awry, as oft happens, the magnificent views were certainly worth the hour plus walk, especially during sunset hours.

Plans and aspirations for the glossy mirage of a long exposure image, or for anything else for that matter, must on occasion wait for better weather conditions. In the meantime, it may be interesting to adopt the attitude of a lichen and simply aspire to be. And to bear witness to the unique and stunning landscapes and nature which surround us, whose formation took hundreds of thousands of years, if not millions.

To truly appreciate the long evolution of life on this planet, I highly recommend the visually stunning documentary Terra which covers the progression of life over the past few billion years. The film also reflects on humankind's relationship with other species over the last 10,000 years.

Terra is available on Netflix. See the film's trailer here.

For more information on the Rose Track and its connections to the White Track and Laird Thompson Track, please click on the Auckland Council link here.