Rented bicycles, then cycled part of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. The 54-mile rail trail connects the east and west coasts of New Zealand’s Northland.
Tag: Hawaii, New Zealand 2020
Confronting Injustice
Walked to the place New Zealand became a nation. The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the British Crown and Maori chiefs. The Maori language version of the treaty was not properly honored by the British. In recent years the government has been confronting these issues
On Golden Bay
We drove almost as far as we could to the northwest of New Zealand’s South Island to Golden Bay, named for the gold mining that took place here in the 19th century. Our VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) cabin stood on its own, above a beach, at the end of an unpaved road. En route,… Continue reading On Golden Bay
Time to Refuel
Refueled after an undulating ridge trail hike above the Bay of Islands.
Kids Blasted with Pigment
At the start of our walk beside the Bay of Islands in New Zealand’s Northland, local kids were having a grand time being blasted with pigment. This is probably a nod to India’s Holi Festival which takes place about now.
Flying North to Bay of Islands
Flew to the far north of New Zealand’s North Island: Nelson NSN to Auckland AKL, AKL to Kerikeri/Bay of Islands KKE.
Heaphy Track
The Heaphy Track in nearby Kahurangi National Park gradually climbed up a mountain, occasionally revealing other mountains through gaps in the trees. We hiked for the day, but found ourselves wishing we could hike the full track, end-to-end, over 4 days.
Farewell Spit
Walked through a monotonous landscape on Farewell Spit, a sandbar near where we’re staying. Unseen by us were big numbers: it’s the longest sandbar on Earth (16 miles); the sea recedes up to 4 miles at low tide; this month, bar-tailed godwits will migrate 7,500 miles to Alaska.
Walking the Beach (Again)
Walked the beach yet again. Each time it’s different.
Abel Tasman National Park
Until now, we’ve avoided Abel Tasman National Park on the north coast of New Zealand’s South Island: it’s just too popular. We prefer to even the tourist load and enjoy a quieter experience by visiting less popular “B-list” places. We would be passing right by Abel Tasman on our way to a remote VRBO (Vacation… Continue reading Abel Tasman National Park