NZ/AUS EPIC HOLIDAY - Farewell New Zealand!

Farewell New Zealand

Well now the time has come to leave the wonderful country of New Zealand and begin the next phase of my holiday in Australia. It's actually not the last time I'll be seeing New Zealand during this trip. Since my return flight to the UK is from Auckland I'll have to come back from Australia to connect with my flight. This means I'll be spending a couple of nights in Auckland before returning home, hopefully just enough time to take a few walks around the area. But apart from that I'm outta here!

The Highlights

The Scenery

Rather obvious really. I'll let all the photographs I've taken on this blog speak for themselves.

Kea

These alpine clowns really are the most entertaining birds on the face of the earth. They're also smart, too smart, freakishly smart. Some of the stories I've heard really are quite fascinating. I heard one about a kea trying to open a box with some food inside but it couldn't hold the box open and grab the food at the same time so it flew off. Two minutes later it came back with another kea which proceeded to hold open the box while the first one grabbed the food! I mean what the hell did they say to each other. I think these birds are even smarter than they let on. They're plotting against us humans. Before long they'll have taken over the whole of the south island and then they'll form their own sovereign country and kick all the humans out.

There was another story about researchers who were conducting intelligence tests on various animals. They had devised a test that involved mazes and manipulating levers and buttons in order to release food. They had expected the kea to take an hour or two to figure it out but instead they did it in two minutes. Apparently they were watching the test being set up and they figured it out just from watching. I mean isn't that bloody terrifying, there are humans not smart enough to outwit these birds. Take it from me, go to New Zealand before they take over because we don't know whether or not they're going to be benevolent rulers or not.

Hiking

I suppose I mentioned this before with the scenery. But you can't truly appreciate New Zealand's natural beauty until you earned the views through sweat and toil. Also nothing can compare to the simple pleasure of a warm fire in a cozy little back-country hut.

Adventure Sports

I'll admit, compared to my last trip to New Zealand I didn't do quite as much in the way of extreme thrill rides, though I did do some. But there really isn't a better country for cheating gravity and death in the world. Bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, skydiving and so much more, they've got it all and it's the best.

The People

They're a bloody friendly lot New Zealanders. Outgoing and jovial they seem to enjoy life without spending any time worrying about the negative aspects of it. Seems like a good way to be if you ask me.


What did I miss?

I didn't have time to see everything here. I like to think I've covered most of the country but there are a few areas that I had to leave out because I didn't have time.

Egmont National Park & Mount Taranaki

This is the one national park I was really sorry to miss. Located on the west coast near the south end of the north island, the park is dominated by a lone volcano that towers over the landscape. I would have loved to have climbed this spectacular peak, after all I was here to hike, but sadly it was not to be. Still it's just something I'll be able to do when I come back to live in New Zealand! Did I mention I want to live in New Zealand? Oh right yes, I can't shut up about it, that's right.

White Island

This active volcanic island is apparently meant to provide some great scenic views either from the air or from guided walks on the island. It's also accessible from the north island just off the coast of the Bay of Plenty region.

Winter

OK so obviously I came at the wrong time of year to see winter but I knew that already! The scenery is transformed to a snow covered wonderland and most of the mountain ranges become even more spectacular. Conditions are usually much more treacherous for trampers but that just adds to the excitement! The above photo is from the Tongariro Crossing and as you can see it's certainly a stark contrast to it's appearance in summer. Winter also has it's advantages, in some areas where the rainfall is high, such as the rain sodden West Coast, it is actually the dry season for the area. Then of course there are all sorts of winter activities to try out, including skiing, snowboarding and much more. Perhaps next time.

Even more hiking!

Yes that's right, even though I've been hiking until my legs feel like they're going to fall off I've only scratched the surface of the endless tracks that wind their way around this wonderful country.