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Kia Ora from New Zealand! In lazy, British fashion, it's the only Mauri word I've learnt so far, so don't be too impressed. I've only been here a few days and I'm already realising the majesty of this country's natural environment. Auckland city region is covering in 2 things - boats (known as the 'City of Sails', Auckland has more boats per population head than any other city in the world) and volcanoes. Stretching out to sea are little volcanic clumps everywhere. Naturally, I felt I had to climb a couple, both on Devonport, a quaint little island north of Auckland Bay. Up top, I got an awesome view of the harbour, surround islands and the Auckland skyline, which looks similar to Toronto's - being on the coast and having its own version of the CN Tower. On descending back down, I treated myself to some traditional New Zealand cuisine to take away, and ate my fish and chips watching the sunset over the harbour.

Kia Ora from Kiwi-land

Simon Wadsworth
2006-09-04 18:46:06

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although freezing, the water wasn't that deep and I walked over rocks and into more pools, building confidence and ending up in a big pitch-black cavern. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. The entire place was sparkling like a night's sky - all around me, and rising 10-15metres above me everywhere. Little speckles of light calmly emitting from every wall. It was beautiful.

And then in the evening, the owner of a hostel took about 6 of us on a night walk, through a gulley-styled path, rising up with waterfalls and pools on the left, damp, green
walls on the right, and trees all around. Glowworms were everywhere - on the trees, by the water, around our feet, lighting up holes in the walls, everywhere. It was amazingly beautiful - straight out of a disney movie or like walking through Lothlörien (which doubtless will not be my only Lord of The Rings reference these next 2 months). I've never seen anything like it, and the pictures I have are a grain of sand in comparison. He also showed us freshwater crayfish, and many weta living on the walls of an abandoned gold mineshaft (do they know something we don't?). Meant to be the largest insect in the world, they have very long spiny legs, are deaf and completely harmless. They were so ugly, they verged on being cute.

Finally, we learnt more about the native Kauri tree, which can live to over 2000years. It's a unique tree in that it has a self-cleansing process. It's constantly stripping off its bark, to get rid of all the moss, creating a scaley appearence. According to the Mauri, legend has it that the Kauri trees and whales were friends. One day the whales said to the trees "we're going to the other side of the world. Would you like to join us?" But the trees declined their kind offer as their roots were now firmly held in the ground. Thus, as a parting gift, so the trees would not forget the whales, they swapped skins. That is why today, the whale has skin as smooth as a tree, and the Kauri tree has fish-like scales of bark all along it.

If that bored the crap out of you, sorry - I thought it was a cute little tale. Overall, stopping off in Whangerei for the day was a great decision. Passing through Hamilton, I now head to egg-smelling Rotorua and Lake Taupo, stopping off at Matamata (Hobbiton) on the way. Tune in next week to see Simon test his manhood a second time, by jumping out a plane at 12,000ft. Photos will be coming in about 12/24hours hopefully. Tara and much love, Simon x