The Varied Landscapes of the Northland, New Zealand

The landscape of northern New Zealand is as varied as it is beautiful. Its’ beaches and coastline are peaceful and raging at the same time and hold a soft spot in my heart, but inland sights are just as spectacular.

The Northland is mainly pastoral farmland (cows, sheep, and domesticated deer) but before it was extensively logged for its’ beautiful Kauri trees, it was dense bush, resembling tropical forest. Today, these few remaining pristine areas remain as National Reserves.

It has been said, by more than one fellow traveler, that there is not a straight road in all of New Zealand, and I personally believe that is true! But each of these winding roads leaves you in anticipation of what you will find next.

A rainstorm can create a completely different way to see the land, where hill and dale are accentuated by shadow and mystery.

Small lakes like this dot the landscape and the reed beds along the shore provide shelter to many species of birds and fish alike.

 

Muriwai Beach and Gannet Colony

After leaving Auckland late at night, we drove a short distance to the Tasman Sea in search of a place to park our Campa-Van and sleep for the night. What we found was the parking lot of Muriwai Beach. Arriving late at night, we had no clue what we would wake up to find. I think we picked a pretty good sight to wake up to — what do you think?

Muriwai Beach is popular with the surfers and the wildlife.

Australasian Gannets live out at sea most of their lives, except to mate and raise their young. An island further out to sea is where the colony originally made their home away from sea. Recently, the island became overcrowded and they decided to move closer to shore, where a stone column in the sea still provided enough protection from humans and predators. That soon overflowed and now in addition they use the cliffs on shore.

While on land, unless they are hanging out with their mates, they will keep at least a full wing length distance between them.

They use the strong wind currents that come ashore to take off and venture far out to sea for feeding. The young will use these winds to take them to the distant shores of Australia for an extended holiday of 4-5 years before coming back and settling down to have a family. I think everyone should do this, don’t you? He He…

 

Auckland, New Zealand

March 13th was our flight out of Honolulu Hawaii; we arrived in Auckland, New Zealand only nine hours later and yet, it was now the morning of the 15th. Somehow, we lost a day... Oh, ya, we crossed the international dateline, so now we are almost a full day ahead of you on the west coast!

New Zealand, from the air is as beautiful as it is from the ground. Island after island in the middle of a huge, blue expanse.

Auckland is not the capital of New Zealand, but it is the financial hub. It is situated on a thin stretch of land between two harbors: one off the Tasman sea to the west, and the other off the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is called the City of Sails because there are more boats per person here than anywhere else in the world. The city is a huge mix of cultures, not unlike San Francisco. They also have their own version of the Seattle space needle, called the Skytower, but here, in true Kiwi fashion, you can pay money to jump from it!

Like any good city there are huge parks with beautiful walks and many chances to escape from the hustle.

In the middle of one of the largest parks sits the Auckland Cultural Museum, where you can learn about New Zealands history, from ancient to modern day wars, from natural history to cultural history. Most interesting to us were the Mauri cultural exhibits. Below is a replica of an ancestoral home, where all the ancestors are represented as ribs supporting the roof of the home. While we were there, there was an art class taking advantage of the interesting subject.

 

Kauai: Kilauea Lighthouse and Nature Refuge

So.... After two days plus of rain (no kidding, it rained continuously!), a closed bridge on one side of us, and a torrential river over the road on the other side of us (and thus, we were pretty much boxed in), we were finally allowed out of our cages and we ventured down to Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai's North Shore. This time of year, there are Nene (Hawaiian Geese, the state bird), Laysan Albatross, and Red-Footed Boobies nesting at the site. Frigate birds and Red-Tailed Tropic birds fly overhead, while Humpback whales breach down below the cliffs. Spending a few hours here was quite a treat!

The lighthouse was put into commission in the early 1900's with a distincitive double flash to signal ships coming from the Orient. It sits atop a penninsula of land that recently became a National Refuge.

The Nene is the Hawaiian State bird, and along with other Hawaiian species, is endangered. By 1950, there were only 50 birds in the state; today, thanks to recovery efforts around the islands, they number around a thousand.

We had the most fun watching the Red-Footed Boobies. They are currently in the nest-building phase, so they are frantically flying around, collecting nesting materials. The windward side of the island is not the calmest place to do this, so they fight the wind constantly. Before landing, they lower their landing gear and pull in their wings - it was fairly comical to watch.

The sides of the cliffs are the perfect places to collect twigs and greenery for the nests.

 

Rhea's Great RoadTrip to Seattle

Rhea spent over two weeks on the road with us, with the back of the jeep as her home away from home, but she did have many adventures on her way to her new home in Seattle.

She got to meet horses for the first time at Laurel Springs Ranch in Carmel Valley

She got to see her first dormant volcano (Mount Hood) in Oregon

She got to walk on snow for the first time in Washington

.....and what could be more fun than making snow angels?

 

Oahu, On the Road to Recovery, Part III

The Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor extends over the battleship that serves as a grave to over one thousand men


Waikiki Beach at sunset, with Diamond Head in the Background

 

Oahu, The Road to Recovery, Part II

The Byodo - In Buddhist Temple, dedicated to the first Japanese immigrants


It is a place of peace and meditation


Before entering the temple, the bell is rung to create a sense of calm and to spread the teachings of Buddha


This statue of Buddha, at 18 feet high, is the largest created since antiquity

 

Oahu, On the Road to Recovery

Our first stop: Backpackers Hostle on North Shore


Our shared cottage was at Plantation Village


Right down the street is Pipeline, a wave where many have lost their lives


A view of Oahu's East Shore

 

The Girls

The Girls We Miss So Much...