On the west coast or Northland (north of Auckland and up to Cape Reinga) is a long beach firm enough for vehicles to drive on. In some areas there are huge sand dunes.
Be fore-warned...
One small section of the dunes....
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The largest Kauri Tree 19 April 2009
Kauri trees covered large parts of Northland (north of Auckland) in New Zealand. Only a few remain,
The Largest One is called Tane Mahuta.Here is the story.
After reading the story, Pat looked up for the first time to see the tree - it took her breath away! So big, it is not possible to get a single photo showing the entire tree.
Whanganui River Journey "Great Walk" 14 April 2009
This "Great Walk" is not a walk, but a river journey. We rented canoes (same as LL Bean has been selling for so many years) and took a 3 day 88 kilometer trip down the river.
Here is Mark and our transport for the trip...
This elderly man has a nice raft for the trip...
Reflections during a quiet stretch...
It wasn't all this quiet, we had a number of Class I and Class II rapids. Only came close to turning over once... after finishing a rapid with a lot of water inside the canoe.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/wanganui/whanganui-area/whanganui-journey/
Rainbow in a Cloud 08 April 2009
And here is another more dramatic picture... http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=a17a7e10f6c63ad0&sid=0CbtWzVs5YsWn0
Huka Falls 08 April 2009
Art Deco Napier 06 April 2009
From Wellington we drove northeast to Napier. This city was destroyed by a large earthquake and was rebuilt in the architecture of the day... Art Deco. Since the depression was on, it was easy to find the required workers. The form is actually described as "Mission Style Art Deco" and was influenced from Southern California. Every year there is a large celebration of the city heritage. People dress in period style, and bring out antique cars. Where we were staying a number of framed pictures can gives a picture of what happens. Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment...
You can see more pictures at http://markandpatsadventures.shutterfly.com/
FW: Wellington, 05 April 2009
Wellington is the Capitol of New Zealand. We spent time on "Cuba Street". Highlights included dinner at a deli with chairs and tables set up in the evening and live classical music at Cafe Italiano - simple and good http://www.italiano.co.nz, live music at one of the "Hotels", and coffee on Cuba Street at "Midnight Espresso". We bicycled north along beaches on an unusually windless day. The National Museum "Te Papa" is a must visit... we even got to view a Monet exhibit from Boston (USA) that is on loan as the Boston museum undergoes renovation.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Abel Tasman "Great Walk"
16-20 March 2009
This Great Walk is very different from the alpine trails found further south. It winds along a spectacular coastline from beach to beach. We hiked the entire trail. Many use the Water Taxi service and sea kayaks as alternative transport and mix-n-match according to their schedule and interests.
Please view Pat's Shutterfly Album for more... http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/album.sfly?startIndex=16&sid=0CbtWzVs5YsWnH&fid=140d61806355741a
Tongariro Crossing - One of the best one day walks in the world
10 April 2009 
Climbing slowly upward, the first sight to visit is Soda Springs, a small waterfall. The track continues up the Mangatepopo Valley. We cross a large flat area surrounded by mountains, and everything is covered with snow.
At 1,886 meters, it is the highest point on the crossing. Our reward is a spectacular view including the Emerald Lakes. Volcanic hillsides vent sulphur smelling fumes. Far below, a volcanic “moonscape”. It is still cold and people move on quickly, descending a narrow ridge made of course sand and loose rocks. 
At the lakes, many stop for lunch, including ourselves. From here The Crossing continues left and we turn right onto the Northern Circuit around the volcano Mt. Ngauruhoe. That night, the sky is clear and temperature cool. A full moon rises, and the stars are bright. Walking outside at night does not require additional light, the moon and stars are enough. It is peaceful at the Oturere Hut, the masses of people who achieved the Tongariro Crossing are elsewhere. Tomorrow we continue walking around this huge volcano.
The alarm was set for 5 am. Today we start the Tongariro Crossing and the Northern Circuit. Unlike the weather forecast, it is cold and rainy (as it was yesterday, causing us to postpone our trip to today). It is the Easter Holiday Weekend, so the place is packed with people wanting to do the famous Tongariro Crossing. At 7:15 am the shuttle bus, an old school bus, is ready to go. Quite a collection of people board, including an Asian girl who brings: a day pack, a computer bag, and a huge silver pocketbook/bag containing her kitchen sink. And, we’re off! About 30 minutes later we arrive at the end of Mangatepopo Road and the start of the “Crossing”. Many other shuttles are there also, dropping off hundreds of people. The track is starts at alpine elevations (no trees).
Climbing slowly upward, the first sight to visit is Soda Springs, a small waterfall. The track continues up the Mangatepopo Valley. We cross a large flat area surrounded by mountains, and everything is covered with snow.The weather seems to be clearing up. At the far end, the trail climbs up the side of the mountain. Suddenly, the weather turns worse, with dark clouds moving in behind us. The wind strengthens considerably and the temperature drops, getting cold. Frostbite is a possibility. We are well prepared, and our hiking sticks help us balance against the wind. Others are in shorts, sandals, open running shoes, and other less than ideal gear. For them, the situation is getting tougher. The trail climbs a ridgeline and people are lined up, moving slowly. Eventually, we reach the top, Red Crater.
At 1,886 meters, it is the highest point on the crossing. Our reward is a spectacular view including the Emerald Lakes. Volcanic hillsides vent sulphur smelling fumes. Far below, a volcanic “moonscape”. It is still cold and people move on quickly, descending a narrow ridge made of course sand and loose rocks. At the lakes, many stop for lunch, including ourselves. From here The Crossing continues left and we turn right onto the Northern Circuit around the volcano Mt. Ngauruhoe. That night, the sky is clear and temperature cool. A full moon rises, and the stars are bright. Walking outside at night does not require additional light, the moon and stars are enough. It is peaceful at the Oturere Hut, the masses of people who achieved the Tongariro Crossing are elsewhere. Tomorrow we continue walking around this huge volcano.Hokitika and the 20th Annual "Wild Foods Festival"
14 March 2009
Wild is the word of the day. We camped in the city park, which was turned into an official campground (read PACKED). It seems that everyone in New Zealand knows about this festival and a big part of the south island's population is here.
http://www.wildfoods.co.nz/index.cfm/1,51,0,0,html/Wildfoods-Home
Wild is the word of the day. We camped in the city park, which was turned into an official campground (read PACKED). It seems that everyone in New Zealand knows about this festival and a big part of the south island's population is here.Can you dream up some strange things to eat? It's all available here along with some you haven't thought of yet.
Many people come in "fancy dress" - sort of like Halloween for adults.
Here we are socializing with some folks by the Whitestone Cheese tent...
Here we are socializing with some folks by the Whitestone Cheese tent...Pelorus Sound near Havelock, NZ is a photographers dream.
Hope you enjoy these photos from Pat's 31 March Photo Album on Shutterfly...
Pelorus Sound near Havelock, NZ is a photographers dream. The sounds are drowned river valleys formed millions of years ago and some of the hills still covered in virgin bush. Many people live in the sound; some to farm ? previously timber, then sheep and cattle and more recently, mussels are much more lucrative as is the ugly, scaring timbering. Some of the homes on the sound are only accessible by water and even get their mail by boat. The mail boat does this route once a week and makes 11 stops along the way, including one in a marine conservancy where we spotted dozens of penguins playing in the water. The skipper and the ?postie? (as the mail lady calls herself) take time to chat with each and every customer who comes out on a boat or jetty to exchange mail bags, and accept any deliveries for the ?community?. The postie also has a doggie biscuit for all the dogs who seem to greatly anticipate her visit. It was a lovely day in the bay ? here are some pics to share with you http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=9cbc64b7228e7c9d&sid=0CbtWzVs5YsWmD
Pelorus Sound near Havelock, NZ is a photographers dream. The sounds are drowned river valleys formed millions of years ago and some of the hills still covered in virgin bush. Many people live in the sound; some to farm ? previously timber, then sheep and cattle and more recently, mussels are much more lucrative as is the ugly, scaring timbering. Some of the homes on the sound are only accessible by water and even get their mail by boat. The mail boat does this route once a week and makes 11 stops along the way, including one in a marine conservancy where we spotted dozens of penguins playing in the water. The skipper and the ?postie? (as the mail lady calls herself) take time to chat with each and every customer who comes out on a boat or jetty to exchange mail bags, and accept any deliveries for the ?community?. The postie also has a doggie biscuit for all the dogs who seem to greatly anticipate her visit. It was a lovely day in the bay ? here are some pics to share with you http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=9cbc64b7228e7c9d&sid=0CbtWzVs5YsWmD
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The highest mountains in New Zealand
13 March 2009
Here are the tallest mountains in New Zealand (Mt. Cook is the one with snow) as viewed from the west. Reflection is in "Lake Matheson".
Monday, April 6, 2009
Fox and Franz Josef GLACIERS
12 March 2009
Pat is happy with her achievement...
She explored caves, tunnels and crevasses.
A crevasse...
The dots in the middle are people, the glacier is BIG.
On the way up...
Success at the top!
Today we had an excellent workout and exploration of the two large glaciers on the West Coast that come down close to sea level. At the top of both is a single snowfield which is so large that it forces the glaciers to come much further down the mountain than is typical.
Pat decided to go to the quieter town of Fox and take a full day trip walking to Fox Glacier, up the front (dangerous without a guide) and upwards on top of the glacier.
Pat is happy with her achievement...
She explored caves, tunnels and crevasses.
A crevasse...
The dots in the middle are people, the glacier is BIG.__________________________________________________________________
Mark decided to take a full day trip Ice Climbing at Franz Josef Glacier. We had excellent guides and the trip leader Mike who had traveled and worked around the world had many adventure stories to tell. The company provided the equipment - mainly ice axes and ice climbing boots.
Here is Franz Josef Glacier from the approach - 
Climbing the face... can you see the climbers?
The second climbing wall of the day -
On the way up...
Success at the top!Descending at the end of the day. Note the large group of people in the middle of the picture (they are dots).
What a day. Ice Climbing for a beginner is very tiring. A nice warm soak at the Glacier Pools Spa that evening in Franz Josef town provided the perfect recuperation!
More about the company at http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/ice-climbing.html
What a day. Ice Climbing for a beginner is very tiring. A nice warm soak at the Glacier Pools Spa that evening in Franz Josef town provided the perfect recuperation!
The Catlins
09 March 2009
From The Ranch we took a long day trip to the southern coast of the South Island, taking some short walks along the way.
One interesting stop was at the Lost Gypsy Gallery where the resident artist has an old bus with lots of small sculptures that move when you turn a crank. Pure genius with a touch of humour. When you decide you like that, for a small fee a collection of larger and more intricate devices can be viewed in the area behind. For example, a piano keyboard where each key is connected to a electro-mechanical device that makes a sound. Has to be experienced to be understood... highly recommended.
Later we visited Curio Bay which is a rock shelf under water at high tide, and above water at low tide. You can walk out on the shelf and see the remnants of a Petrified Forest.
From The Ranch we took a long day trip to the southern coast of the South Island, taking some short walks along the way.
One interesting stop was at the Lost Gypsy Gallery where the resident artist has an old bus with lots of small sculptures that move when you turn a crank. Pure genius with a touch of humour. When you decide you like that, for a small fee a collection of larger and more intricate devices can be viewed in the area behind. For example, a piano keyboard where each key is connected to a electro-mechanical device that makes a sound. Has to be experienced to be understood... highly recommended.Later we visited Curio Bay which is a rock shelf under water at high tide, and above water at low tide. You can walk out on the shelf and see the remnants of a Petrified Forest.
The Ranch
08 March 2009
David & Wichanee (above), and the Deer (below).
We were privileged to be invited to our friend's large spread called "The Ranch" outside of Balclutha. It is in the top 5% of large agricultural properties in New Zealand by size, and is professionally and scientifically managed. They have about 5,000 acres filled with Sheep, Dairy Cattle being grown to producing size, and Deer. While it is true that the natural environment is highly suitable to agriculture, the scientific management to maximize production is what makes New Zealand competitive in world markets despite it's distance from customers. Four people are all that is needed to run the operation on a full time basis. Many services are outsourced.
It was nice to catch up with Wichanne and David, and to hear of their hiking adventures in Europe. We have run together in many different parts of the world over a number of years.
David & Wichanee (above), and the Deer (below).Bashing with Friends from China Days
05 March 2009, Te Anau, New Zealand
Always good to see old friends and break bread together, but even better to do it while sharing a New Zealand adventure!
After the Kepler Track, we were quite tired and checked onto our room at the YHA. To our pleasant surprise, we were assigned to a small house complete with kitchen, grill, deck, and facilities. Only one other couple was sharing the other bedroom. Much better than the normal "shared facilities" in many places we stay. I awakened to see 2 faces peering in at me. Who is it, our roommates? Why are they so impolite? Their voices sounded familiar, and then I realised it was a relatively unexpected visit from Karin and Katharina, our friends from years ago when we all lived in Shanghai!!
Off we rushed to the food store to get supplies, and then a feast was prepared. Pat grilled veggies and a large salad was prepared. Dinner was accompanied by fine New Zealand Wine and lots of stories.
Here is Pat cooking -
Early the next morning, I drove the the ladies to the start of the Kepler Track. Their experience was to be different from ours... the email later from Karin read "rain, hail, tornado winds. It was crazy wild, but we decided to hoof out and skip the beach day because of the rain. "It's a Rain Forest!!
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