Aoteroa - Land (and Trip) of Contrasts

Day Four in New Zealand is drawing to a close and finds me in Wellington. It's been a busy few days, and I'm definitely sleeping soundly at night!

Today I spent my time before the flight from Whangarei taking in some of the nice walks around the area. Started out at Whangarei Falls (considered one of the most photogenic waterfalls in NZ), and hiked from there to a grove of kauri trees. Kauris can be huge and ancient; some of those I saw today were several thousand years old. Like the towering sequoias in California, these trees really move me for some reason. I'm compelled to touch their trunks and wonder what little blink of human history has gone by why they stood, swaying in the wind. I guess that's also why it's so hard to accept when people callously cut beings like them down for some short term purpose. They deserve better, I think.

I had the path to myself during my hike, which was amazing. The canopy of tree ferns, kauris, and other tall trees was serene, with just some chirping birds and the rustle of plants disturbing the quiet. Can't help but feel soothed by that kind of scene.

Anyway, I could go on and on about the spectacular bits of nature I've already seen, and will do so in later posts (probably). I have an early wakeup call so B. and I can catch a ferry to Picton tomorrow, beginning the South Island part of this odyssey. I made sure to buy some wool base layers today, because I've been cold since I arrived, and the North Island is supposed to be the balmy part of the country! Word is they're still skiing in the South. I'm sure it will be brisk but jaw droppingly stunning. Oh, woe is I.