One of things we talked about wanting to do when we first thought about coming to New Zealand was to go all the way up to the very North point at the top of the North Island to see the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet and we did it! We timed it so we got up there pretty early in the morning which was great for the viewing as well as the driving. It turns out that the “major” highway that goes up there has a number of one lane bridges. Pretty close to Cape Reinga there is a very narrow one lane bridge which heaven only knows how motor homes and buses make it through!
Cape Reinga really is an amazing place with the seas meeting
which of course no picture can capture. There is also a stout little lighthouse
that has distances to all the “important” places (except it seems to be missing the Bay Area and Canby).
. There is also an amazing tree that as described is clinging to the side of a cliff right above the sea.
We then headed to the west coast town of Alphira to a beautiful hang gliding launch above a lovely little town next to a very blue sea.
. We were not able to drive out to launch because of a very funky road
But as it turned out that was not an issue because the wind was blowing the wrong way, again dang it.
The next day we went to the Waipoua forest to see the ancient and BIG kauri trees. These trees are not just big as far as height they are big as in very wide and have a living world up in their branches.
. You definitely get a sense of how old they are and the one that Roger is hugging is only the seventh biggest! It is also surrounded by other large ones. Major kudos to the folks in New Zealand who saved these trees and the ancient forest around them. To see them is a life changing experience. This was a great way to spend my Birthday followed by a evening and the next morning in the hot springs in Waitike Valley. The next day we went to the Waiotapu Thermal wonderland down the road and saw geysers, geothermal caves, rivers and lakes that rival Yellowstone in the USA. The colors were great!
This adventure was topped off with a stop at the Mud Pools that were great fun to watch and they made you laugh to see them burping that goopy mud.
Another attempt was made to commit hang gliding yesterday at the Rotorua site with the help of a great fellow named Olaf. Again the wind was not cooperating, being to strong and cross. The view from the launch shows just how beautiful this place is and we hope to stop back on here on our way back north in January.
We stopped at Huka falls in the afternoon to wash away our disappointment and cheer us up and watched the 200,000 liters a second of water pass through a narrow canyon. There is no way in a photo to capture the amazing colors, feeling and sound of this much water passing by. Truly astounding!
It has been raining and very windy today and after spending some time in the lovely town of Taupo watching a bit of bike racing and doing some shopping we are headed for the west coast to meet up with some hang glider folks to hopefully get Roger airborne at a coastal site above New Plymouth. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, we miss all of you! One last photo for now, the cool art that the forest makes for us on our walks.
It looks amazing over there, glad you guys are having such a awesome trip. Happy Birthday!
Dear Mom and Dad:
We are enjoying ourselves immensely on the farm, chasing geese and running around barking. We got our special heartworm treats a couple of days ago, and mean Laurie refused to give us another until next month. Please come home soon! We know you will understand that we need more heartworm treats than THAT!
We do not understand why Dad is wearing shorts. It is pretty cold here and when we take our morning walkies it is still dark, though it is not really early. We are sure that you must be cold too even though it looks like the sun is shining. Anika has decided that she likes going to the local hot springs here when there’s nothing much going on, so we understand why you like them too!
We are taking very good care of Laurie and barking at all the scary things so they go away and eating all our food like the good doggies you told us to be. We can not wait to see you and show you the new tricks we are learning. You will be very proud of us!
Love,
Chien and Anika
PS we know we don’t have to tell you, but Chien actually wrote this note. Anika wagged her tail in approval – not every dog can be born with a PhD, so it’s good that she is a good sport.
Hello Girls,
Great to hear from you and great to hear you are being good girls for Aunt Laurie. Much as you like those tasty heart worm pills it is very good that Laurie is only giving you one a month, sorry. We miss you girls very much and we are not seeing many dogs in New Zealand so don’t get a chance to scratch many ears. You two don’t have to worry we will replace you or stay here and forget you. Anika, Roger says you should not be going down to the hot springs by your self, young lady, it is not a good idea and not lady like at all.
We will try and update the blog tomorrow with all your latest adventures. Roger did get a hang gliding flight at a very pretty place which you would have liked very much because it was a beautiful black sand beach that he landed on.
Keep taking care of Laurie and keep her warm and snug on those cold nights. It is raining today and gray and cold so seems a little bit more like December. Be good girls and keep those tails wagging to say Thank You to Laurie for taking such good care of you.
Bye for now,
Debbie
Hey! (the Canadian way, eh!). Nice to read your last post. Who ever said there was flying to be had in NZ?
Debbie, happy belated birthday! I hope you had a great day! Did the BigCheese serve you breakfast in bed?
All is well here in BC. It’s cold these days with highs in the low twenties and lows in the teens. Probably warmer where you are.
How is the van going? Good bed in there? Are you cooking most of the time?
Keep posting updates, it’s good reading with breakfast.
BC
Hi happy travelers,
Looks as though you’re having a super trip, love the photos and they bring back memories of the beautiful landscape and road trips. You’re not missing much back here, very cold to say the least, I think I saw where Alturas hit a lovely temp. of -27F, yes that is a minus sign!
The two Phil’s have had one good day on Tam last week so they were happy campers. We’ll be missing you both at the Christmas party but am sure you’ll find something to do over the holidays.
Hope all is going along perfectly,
hugs
Judi