New Zealand - North Island
April 28th, 2004 and Antony and I arrived in Aukland from Singapore.
We were excited to be back in the western world after 4 months in South East Asia. It was much cooler in New Zealand than where we had been and become used to so our jackets and jumpers came up from the bottom of the back packs.
We spent 3 days in Aukland, resting, sleeping and touring the city. On our first day we made it to the Domain, and to the National museum of History. We decided to book on the cultural show - little did we know we would be starring in ti. Only about 5 tourists attended that day and we all got dragged on to the stage to participate in tranditional Maori dances. It was fabulous. A great way to start the country with history and cultire. And the people were so friendly we really did feel as if we were in the land of the smiles.
Aukland
National Museum, Aukland
Maori Dancers (who are the two on the back row?)
On day 2 we walked across the city to Mt Eden, an extinct volcano to see views back across the city. It was superb and the views did not disappoint.
Aukland
View from Mt Eden
On the Kaori Trail
May 1st, 2004 and we hired an (old!) toyota car to travel up the west coast on route 12 via the Waipoua Kaori forest to the bay of Islands. Kathryn was particulary excited to go to the forests due to her love of trees. We wanted to visit the largest tree; Tane Mahuta or god of the forest . It's the most acclaimed tree in the forest and is 1,200 years old, 52m tall and has a circumference of 13m. The trees' fame finds its roots in Maori mythology. The myth tells how the life was enabled to grow by the Tane Mahuta who created the Sky Father from the Earth Mother.
The tree Te Matua Ngahere, or the Father of the Forest, is thought to be the widest Kauri.They did not disappoint. We had a wonderful afternoon rambling through the forests enjoying the smells and sounds. We are told that this area is one of the few in New Zealnd where you can still see Kiwi's in the wild.... but despite looking, we didn't manage to get a glimpse.
In the Kaori Forests
Te Matua
Big tree
Silver Fern
Waitangi
We made it to the Bay of Islands... but really didn't see them. It was encased in thick fog! We stayed at a great hostel in Paihia. But it rained solidly for the two days we were there.
The Bay of Islands has historical significance for New Zealand. It was here that the first permanent English settlement was born. It was also here that the infamous Treaty of Waitangi was compiled. It was signed in 1840 by 46 Maori chiefs and is the current basis for political, racial and land debate.
Waitangi (yes that's me getting rained on)
From the Bay of Islands we headed South to the Cormandel Peninsula. A big day of driving, it took about 6 hours. We were learning about the "single lane" highways in NZ! En route we detoured thrgouh the Waikino peninsula on the Waikare Inlet east of Kawakawa. It is here that artist Frederick Hundertwasser designed and built a unique public toilet. He built it to include used meterials such as glass and bottles... everyday objects we normally throw away.
toilet
Cormandel Peninsula
Finally we arrived at the Coromandel Peninsula. We stayed in the town of Whitianga at "The Cats Pyjamas" bakcpackers, recommended to us by Ants' cousin, Ben. It was a rambling old house but very homely and comfy, and of course the owner loved her cats! We spent 3 days in the area and set off to see the beautiful coastline.
Driving
Coromandel
Cathedral Cove
View through Cathedral Cove
Digging at Hot Water Beach
Whangamata
Taupo & the Tongariro Crossing
Tongariro Crossing
The view up high
The crossing
Mount Doom
K with Mt Doom
Ants Mt Doom
Thermal Pools on the Tongariro
Going down..
Steam everywhere
Rotorua
At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park, Rotorua
Ants with the "Old Lady"
Wai-O-Tapu
Boiling mud pools
Wonderful farmland
Waterfall
Wellington
Wellington
With Jane in Wellington
Wind Turbine
Wellington Sunset
We were excited to be back in the western world after 4 months in South East Asia. It was much cooler in New Zealand than where we had been and become used to so our jackets and jumpers came up from the bottom of the back packs.
We spent 3 days in Aukland, resting, sleeping and touring the city. On our first day we made it to the Domain, and to the National museum of History. We decided to book on the cultural show - little did we know we would be starring in ti. Only about 5 tourists attended that day and we all got dragged on to the stage to participate in tranditional Maori dances. It was fabulous. A great way to start the country with history and cultire. And the people were so friendly we really did feel as if we were in the land of the smiles.
Aukland
National Museum, Aukland
Maori Dancers (who are the two on the back row?)
On day 2 we walked across the city to Mt Eden, an extinct volcano to see views back across the city. It was superb and the views did not disappoint.
Aukland
View from Mt Eden
On the Kaori Trail
May 1st, 2004 and we hired an (old!) toyota car to travel up the west coast on route 12 via the Waipoua Kaori forest to the bay of Islands. Kathryn was particulary excited to go to the forests due to her love of trees. We wanted to visit the largest tree; Tane Mahuta or god of the forest . It's the most acclaimed tree in the forest and is 1,200 years old, 52m tall and has a circumference of 13m. The trees' fame finds its roots in Maori mythology. The myth tells how the life was enabled to grow by the Tane Mahuta who created the Sky Father from the Earth Mother.
The tree Te Matua Ngahere, or the Father of the Forest, is thought to be the widest Kauri.They did not disappoint. We had a wonderful afternoon rambling through the forests enjoying the smells and sounds. We are told that this area is one of the few in New Zealnd where you can still see Kiwi's in the wild.... but despite looking, we didn't manage to get a glimpse.
In the Kaori Forests
Te Matua
Big tree
Silver Fern
Waitangi
We made it to the Bay of Islands... but really didn't see them. It was encased in thick fog! We stayed at a great hostel in Paihia. But it rained solidly for the two days we were there.
The Bay of Islands has historical significance for New Zealand. It was here that the first permanent English settlement was born. It was also here that the infamous Treaty of Waitangi was compiled. It was signed in 1840 by 46 Maori chiefs and is the current basis for political, racial and land debate.
Waitangi (yes that's me getting rained on)
From the Bay of Islands we headed South to the Cormandel Peninsula. A big day of driving, it took about 6 hours. We were learning about the "single lane" highways in NZ! En route we detoured thrgouh the Waikino peninsula on the Waikare Inlet east of Kawakawa. It is here that artist Frederick Hundertwasser designed and built a unique public toilet. He built it to include used meterials such as glass and bottles... everyday objects we normally throw away.
toilet
Cormandel Peninsula
Finally we arrived at the Coromandel Peninsula. We stayed in the town of Whitianga at "The Cats Pyjamas" bakcpackers, recommended to us by Ants' cousin, Ben. It was a rambling old house but very homely and comfy, and of course the owner loved her cats! We spent 3 days in the area and set off to see the beautiful coastline.
Driving
Coromandel
Cathedral Cove
View through Cathedral Cove
Digging at Hot Water Beach
Whangamata
Taupo & the Tongariro Crossing
Tongariro Crossing
The view up high
The crossing
Mount Doom
K with Mt Doom
Ants Mt Doom
Thermal Pools on the Tongariro
Going down..
Steam everywhere
Rotorua
At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park, Rotorua
Ants with the "Old Lady"
Wai-O-Tapu
Boiling mud pools
Wonderful farmland
Waterfall
Wellington
Wellington
With Jane in Wellington
Wind Turbine
Wellington Sunset
posted by Kathryn & Ants at 2:38 PM
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