Monday, November 06, 2006

Eco New Zealand

Yes, yes, more New Zealand...

Anyway, one of the side trips that we embarked upon while experiencing destination Auckland was the Northland Region, which encompasses the northernmost geography of North Island, yes, you guessed it, north of Auckland. Northland is home to some of the most amazing vistas I've ever experienced.



This piece of the planet is riddled with breathtaking beaches (overlooking the Tasman Sea shown above) and bays as well as some of the oldest forests I've ever had the privilege to step foot in. Dubbed the Kauri Coast, no traveler should miss an opportunity to explore this region and stand at the base of a 2000 year old tree.

Yes, a 2000 year old tree! Its Maori name is Tane Mahuta, which translates to God of the Forest, for those you who didn't click the link above. It is the ultimate example of a Kauri tree. What the heck is a Kauri tree you ask? Well, just click here for a much more cogent explanation than I could ever give.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but for a change of pace on this here bloggidy, blog, blog I shall let my pictures do most of the talking...

First stop on the Northland tree tour, Parry Kauri Park!

Take a look at that sky...



Basically we took a stroll through the dense brush of Parry. Lovely brush, but yeah, pretty darn impermeable. Despite the density, I took some excellent shots and I, my friends, am NOT a photographer. Be that as it may, I still was able to pull this shot off...



Okay, how awesome is that shot??? Ethereal mist gently rising off of the dampened bark, bathed by the morning sun...oh yeah, definitely having Shutterfly shoot me a print of this one...

After finishing up at Parry Kauri Park we traveled deeper Northland to meet up with a man who makes wonderful turned wood pieces from fallen Kauri trees extracted from swamps. He showed us his lathe and quickly turned a lovely box in a matter of minutes, including finishing! I was impressed for I know my way around a woodshop my friends. Yep, there's more than just yarn lurking about my torrid crafty past...

I did say that I was going to let my photos do the talking. Oh well, I just can't help myself!

Anyway, after bidding fond farewell to the woodturning guru we headed even further north to Trounson Kauri Park for another stroll through more dense and beautiful flora. In fact, so solid is the forest canopy that even though it was raining pretty hard at the time of our visit we were spared a shower. Maybe just one or two droplets of water, but that was it. How cool is that?

It felt otherworldly surrounded by such amazing plant life...



Finally, our tree tour hit its apex with our introduction to none other than THE God of the Forest...



Here's big P, the hubs, for size comparison...



It's pretty darn awesome to stand next to a living being that's been on the planet for 2000 years. Um the tree, not the hubby. Anyhow for me, this immersion into the heart of ecological New Zealand was really the highlight of the trip. Yes, even above and beyond Hobbiton. Although I'd wager that Tane Mahuta is probably an Ent...

13 comments:

Crafty Andy said...

Thanks for sharing your trip I have enjoyed the pictures a lot and you telling of the story is a bonus.

Yeah So said...

Oh yes, most certainly an Ent.

Susan Schwake said...

beautiful photos and posts on NZ. i can't get enough! my two LOTR daughters love it too! thanks LL for all the great stories and photos.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pics! Your trip must've been amazing.

Jessica said...

Wow. Beautiful! Gues where just got added to my list of places to visit? :)

LinknKnits said...

Simply breath-taking. Once again, thank you for sharing!

Carol said...

How very cool! Thanks for the tour and for sharing. I think you can qualify yourself as a photographer ;)

dizzy von damn! said...

that is quite a tree.

i think if i were to hug a tree, that would have to be it.

Unknown said...

Those are stunning!!! Love the pictures you took!!

LG said...

Thank you for the fresh air these pictures gave me! They feel good!

Pam said...

I need to go there.

Anonymous said...

hi! I found your blog just by random 'net searches -- (am taking a crochet class for the first time this week, woo) and I just returned from New Zealand myself (about a week and 2 days ago).. and your post was awesome. We too went to Parry Kauri Park (did you hug the Kauri??).. anyway, your photos are gorgeous! I have about 900 myself, in need of re-naming ;)

take care!
amber

http://blog.makeshiftdaisy.com

Anonymous said...

*coughcough* The south island is better.

In particular, the west coast of the above.

(...Our rainforests ROCK.)