Just got back yesterday from four days of backpacking (or as the kiwis say tramping) through the Waikaremoana Great Walk. The first day was straight up the tall bluff over-looking Waikaremoana Lake which was a tough climb, but well worth the view. The next day was a long walk but one of the nice things about the Great Walks in NZ is that the have pretty well stocked huts that you can stay at each night. Pretty plush to get a mattress to sleep on! The next day the rain set in which was not so much fun, but authentically kiwi.
Can't write too much now because I'm in Naiper and going to try to catch an Art Deco architectural walk in a few minutes. More later.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Steam and Vents
This mouring I'm in Rotorua, in the geologically active part of the North Island. Right next to the city center is a park filled with all sorts of hot water springs, steam vents and bubbling mud pits. The town is filled with the smell of sulfer, but not so over-powering that you couldn't learn to ignore it. So of course, it's a bit of a resort town, but more or less closed up for the season. It reminds me a bit of Ashland, OR in the winter when the town in still sort of open but really you can see that it's nothing like the summer rush. There are tons of empty cafe and restuarants and bars, but where are all the people? It strikes me that NZ doesn't seem as much of a "going out" sort of country as others. Maybe people just eat and entertain mostly at home?
I've found myself taking lots of architectual photos as usual, of 19th century building and turn of the last century. It's funny to see slightly different styles of Victorians, with tin roofs. Maybe that the was the more common style cause I saw the same in S. Africa. Could it be that being blessed with abundant redwood made SF's Victorians slightly odd?
I stopped at a colonial farm house on my way down with a great 19th century style garden. There's lots more tree ferns here and it slight odd to see them inter-mixed with elms and such. All sots of people have been complaingin about how cold it's been in the last few days as if the winter is really settling in. But actaully it's been a bit warmer the SF, so it's felt quite pleasant to me. But the trees are turning and it does feel like a real Fall.
Next I'm off to the coast and Waerenga-o-kuri where my friend Andy and her partner Tony live. She's teaching in tiny school in very rural NZ, so I'm curious to see what that's like and it'll be great to see Andy. I haven't seen her in like 8 years when we were both in Deli at the same time.
I've found myself taking lots of architectual photos as usual, of 19th century building and turn of the last century. It's funny to see slightly different styles of Victorians, with tin roofs. Maybe that the was the more common style cause I saw the same in S. Africa. Could it be that being blessed with abundant redwood made SF's Victorians slightly odd?
I stopped at a colonial farm house on my way down with a great 19th century style garden. There's lots more tree ferns here and it slight odd to see them inter-mixed with elms and such. All sots of people have been complaingin about how cold it's been in the last few days as if the winter is really settling in. But actaully it's been a bit warmer the SF, so it's felt quite pleasant to me. But the trees are turning and it does feel like a real Fall.
Next I'm off to the coast and Waerenga-o-kuri where my friend Andy and her partner Tony live. She's teaching in tiny school in very rural NZ, so I'm curious to see what that's like and it'll be great to see Andy. I haven't seen her in like 8 years when we were both in Deli at the same time.
Monday, May 09, 2005
Now in Auckland
Yesterday was my first full day in New Zealand. Sunday was a bit of a haze, sorting out rental cars, getting settled in with my couching surfing friend, seeing a bit of West Auckland and going out to the beach. Where I'm staying is in the foothills of excellent hills. We drove up there and even the nearby park land is gorgeous. Saw my first weta in a little science museum they had there. Weta's are an insect species native to NZ. Their quite unique looking, with large legs, long antennae and a long stinger looking thing in the rear.
But back to yesterday, I made my down to the city center and wandered down to the wharf. There out in front of the maritime Museum they had KZ-1, the boat that challenged in the America's Cup back in 1988. Quite a site to see up on blocks where you could really see it's groundbreaking keel design. Then I went looking for a book store to get some Kiwi history to read. It looked like that was a common interest at least in the tourist zone cause they had plenty to choose from. I found the backpacker area but it was bit strange to see it have such a prominent place downtown, but it must be big business.
Next I went over to the Auckland Museum which was huge and quite good. It reminded me a bit of the Hong Kong museum, but with lots of war memorial stuff. I had no idea the kiwis fought in the Malaysia "emergency" and they had a special Gilipoli exhibit with lots of school children going through.
The plan now is to head out of Auckland and make down to where my friend Andy lives out side of Gisborne.
But back to yesterday, I made my down to the city center and wandered down to the wharf. There out in front of the maritime Museum they had KZ-1, the boat that challenged in the America's Cup back in 1988. Quite a site to see up on blocks where you could really see it's groundbreaking keel design. Then I went looking for a book store to get some Kiwi history to read. It looked like that was a common interest at least in the tourist zone cause they had plenty to choose from. I found the backpacker area but it was bit strange to see it have such a prominent place downtown, but it must be big business.
Next I went over to the Auckland Museum which was huge and quite good. It reminded me a bit of the Hong Kong museum, but with lots of war memorial stuff. I had no idea the kiwis fought in the Malaysia "emergency" and they had a special Gilipoli exhibit with lots of school children going through.
The plan now is to head out of Auckland and make down to where my friend Andy lives out side of Gisborne.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Millennium Falcon PC
Okay, I know this is super geeky, but I like it. It's not a computer. It can make the Kessell run in less than twelve parsecs! She's fast enough for you old man! Millenium Falcon PC
Monday, May 02, 2005
Backpacking in Henry Coe
I went backpacking at Herny Coe this weekend as a sort of warm-up to my trip to New Zealand next week. It was a good way to test out my legs and realize what sort of shape I really am in! So I'm pretty sore today, but a good sore and ready to lay down some Km's Kiwi style. It was also great to be out in the green Spring California hills and appriciate how beautiful it is here.
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