Welcome to Our New Zealand/Aotearoa blog… A brief chronicle of some of our adventures in New Zealand over the next 8 months. Unlike WarPoTay Adventures, it will not be daily, but hopefully it will still share some of the places we visit and the people we meet in a fun and informal way.
This weekend has been lots of “tramping” in the “bush.” Today we headed off to the launch of NZ Conservation Week festivities at a campsite, which was a 3km walk from the road. The weather report was for a major rainstorm and sure enough it started raining as we headed out to the car. We figured we would be the only ones there, how many Canadians would walk 6 km round trip in the rain on a Sunday morning, for a welcome speech, a bit of music and a hot dog. In fact there were about 50 folks, this is NZ and they take their tramping seriously. We stayed through for a guided walk in the rainforest and a trip through a neat limestone cave. Along the way we had the undivided attention of the 2nd interpreter who told us lots about the forest and some of the environmental issues here (Conservation officials seem freer to speak their minds here without Stephen Harper gagging them). New Zealand is spectacularly beautiful and it is very “green” as in the actual colour, but when one starts talking to folks one realizes that it is not the green philosophical place that the world perceives of it and it likes to portray. Of course it is better than Canada, but that is not saying much of anything. It is amazing how much of the forest is gone around here, even if what is left is spectacular.
So, we’ve been here nearly two weeks and we have a new home in the middle of Hamilton with most things we need, a car to get outside of the city with, and two bicycles! I have an office at the University of Wakaito (a short walk from the house) and we have started to explore this world and adjust to our new kiwi lifestyle, like driving on the other side and remembering that the warm afternoon sun comes from the North, and that it is Spring!
Our house...
Sunset from the living room window...
Much seems familiar but then we constantly make cultural mistakes or identify ourselves as North Americans in gauche ways. You do not take a university course, rather it is a “paper.” And there is always the question… “Why do North Americans always carry around travel mugs, why don’t they just use the real cups that are already waiting for them at the cafes? And then there are the expressions… “togs”, to go “flatting,” “he’s just a box of fluffyducks,” “we’re cooking with gas” and “Bob’s your uncle.” Oh my. How many of those can you non-Kiwis understand?
Our house...
Much seems familiar but then we constantly make cultural mistakes or identify ourselves as North Americans in gauche ways. You do not take a university course, rather it is a “paper.” And there is always the question… “Why do North Americans always carry around travel mugs, why don’t they just use the real cups that are already waiting for them at the cafes? And then there are the expressions… “togs”, to go “flatting,” “he’s just a box of fluffyducks,” “we’re cooking with gas” and “Bob’s your uncle.” Oh my. How many of those can you non-Kiwis understand?
A few pictures from last weekends adventures…
Raglan, an amazing nearby beach
Surf's up...
This weekend has been lots of “tramping” in the “bush.” Today we headed off to the launch of NZ Conservation Week festivities at a campsite, which was a 3km walk from the road. The weather report was for a major rainstorm and sure enough it started raining as we headed out to the car. We figured we would be the only ones there, how many Canadians would walk 6 km round trip in the rain on a Sunday morning, for a welcome speech, a bit of music and a hot dog. In fact there were about 50 folks, this is NZ and they take their tramping seriously. We stayed through for a guided walk in the rainforest and a trip through a neat limestone cave. Along the way we had the undivided attention of the 2nd interpreter who told us lots about the forest and some of the environmental issues here (Conservation officials seem freer to speak their minds here without Stephen Harper gagging them). New Zealand is spectacularly beautiful and it is very “green” as in the actual colour, but when one starts talking to folks one realizes that it is not the green philosophical place that the world perceives of it and it likes to portray. Of course it is better than Canada, but that is not saying much of anything. It is amazing how much of the forest is gone around here, even if what is left is spectacular.
The problems with invasive species are absolutely enormous. Specifically the rats, stouts and possums (brought here by the Polynesian ancestors of the Maori and the Europeans), can quickly eradicate most of the native birds in an area as the birds have not evolved defenses to ward them off. What is to be done? Lose all the bird species or try to control the rats and the possums. So they are putting out toxic poison pellets for the mammals in large areas to control them. But though they can kill them relatively quickly, the rats in particular rapidly reproduce and return within a year. Do you do this forever? Many conservationists seem to support the programs but we have not heard the alternative views as yet. HMMM, quite a mess (that’s our happy environmental thought for today).
After our guided walk, we did a beautiful hike in the rain up a stream to the tallest Kahikatea tree in New Zealand (66 metres). We are sure that Golum was running along beside us, hidden from view and occasionally peering out— that was the feel of the place. Every time we turn a corner or see a new landscape, we recognize it from Lord of the Rings (so I guess Hollywood does define our reality). The bush (forest in Kiwi) is stunning with all sorts of fern trees and exotic leafy tree species, many of which do not exist anywhere else in the world. The forest is dark, I felt like we needed flashlights to navigate at mid-day given the gray today. Even yesterday, which was sunny, only the occasional shaft of light lit up the forest floor. We saw a good number of birds but it was hard to make out their colours in the dim light. Unfortunately rainforest pictures must wait as I forgot my camera yesterday and it was too wet for a camera today.
A view of the "Shire", the real Shire set is only 30 minutes away.
A view of the "Shire", the real Shire set is only 30 minutes away.
Alan
Wow! So great to hear your everyday thoughts about your stay and the differences. And, keep the pictures coming! I'm amazed that they can have the free range cattle and still not have to buy abroad. What population are we talking?
ReplyDeleteIt has turned chilly here at night. Reuben and I worked on the boat today, getting ready to varnish and to take down to NY. (Not until Oct 22, though).
Keep on blogging!
Cheers
Sarah-Marie