Whitebait Fritters at Mokau

It was a beautiful Taranaki day when we packed up to move on, after the necessary side trip to the dump station.  Our trip was 77 km and took us along the coast, and up and over Mt Messenger and through the Mt Messenger tunnel. The single lane tunnel as originally opened in 1916, later enlarged to provide two-lane access and to allow trucks with big loads to pass through. Mt Messenger is named after Colonel William Messenger, the commander of the garrison at nearby Pukearuhe redoubt during the 1870s and 1880s.

Mt Messenger tunnel

Our stop for the night was at the Tainui-Wetere Domain at Mokau.  The camping area has been extended since our last visit here, and provides power  if required and toilets.  The sea is not too far away and we could hear the muted roar of the waves rolling into shore.  There was plenty of room for our four vans, plus any others which arrived later in the afternoon.

Staying at Mokau

Seems that our traveling companions Frank and Adrianne have a long standing tradition whenever they arrive at Mokau.  They always visit the Whitebait Inn at the top of the hill for a tasty whitebait fritter.  The rest of us  didn’t need too much encouragement to join them

Our orders arrived, a massive whitebait fritter each served with a slice of lemon and freshly buttered bread.  Goodness me, a feast indeed, its been a long time since we enjoyed whitebait.  The coffee was nice too.  This is a very popular establishment, with a steady stream of customers.  Whitebait is a New Zealand delicacy, and are the fry (young) of native New Zealand fish found in coastal creeks, streams, rivers and lakes.

Whitebait fritters for lunch

We had Happy Hour together in the nice warm sunshine, enjoying each others company, a nice restful day taking it easy.  There is sure to be another adventure tomorrow.

Sunset at Mokau