I don’t think so. It has its own irresistible quaint charm, sitting plum in a valley, on the north island of New Zealand.
It has its own little republic:
Apparently the town and area formed and declared their own republic some years ago, with their own president and residents with their own special passports. Can you believe it, their own little realm, within another much larger host country!
The famous Garage:
When we first arrive in the town of Whangamomona we parked the car and checked out the immortal garage. See the photo of the garage above. It was closed when we were there. I suppose it was because it was a holiday, been the day before New Year.
From there I walked a little further and took photos of the river going through the town and a house not far from the garage
Then lunch at the one and only Hotel:
You can see the hotel in the photo below. It has tables and benches out on its veranda, which you can sit out on and eat your lunch which you first ordered from within.
After lunch we wondered down the road next to the hotel. There were several house on each side of the road. The ones on the left had a river running below them. And wild goats roamed the steep hills on the other side of the river.
I’ll never forget that road because it was very hot by that time and the fresh tar was melting. And that is how sadly my new white birthday sandals were ruined. I still wear them but they’re still a little stained by the tar. Wish I knew how to remove the deep stain.
And after that, we doubled back and took a side road off the 43 highway, to a place where you can find,
The Bridge to Somewhere:
Can you see the photo of the sign next to the bridge called Bridge to Somewhere’ (first photo in the collage) On the way to theBridge to Somewhere’, we traveled along another winding narrow road. Through forests and hillsides towering all around us, on each side of the road, and with a little stream wonders in and out of the trees and undergrowth. It was like a mystery, because my husband and I didn’t quite understand at that point where we were really going or what to expect.
At the Bridge to Somewhere there is also a signpost giving the name of the road as Tahunaroa. But we never went over the bridge. We double back as it was getting late in the afternoon.
It’s indeed an enigmatic place!
Apparently returning soldiers from the First World War were given land there. But it was difficult to farm there and by the 1950’s most of the farms were abandoned. In spite of that, most of the abandoned farm houses are still there.
We were told of another bridge that had also been built in the area. Even though the bridge had been built, the planned road to it was never completed. So the isolated bridge stands solidly over a river all by itself, unlinked to the road or banks on either side!
And that is why the lonely forgotten bridge is called, `The Bridge to Nowhere!’ I’m sorry we didn’t see that bridge. That certainly would be great to see. But it can only be accessed by the Wanganui River on a jet boat!
Never forgotten to me!
Been an artist you love to see new scenes to paint. So for me, around each and every corner was something new and exciting to see. The thrill of that day still runs through my veins!