Travel
Sydney Taronga Zoo
0Today I decided to take the ferry to taronga zoo, which is Sydney’s city zoo opened in 1916. Divided into eight zoogeographic regions, Taronga Zoo is home to over 2,600 animals on 21 hectares, making it one of the largest of its kind.
I felt right at home – they nearly didn’t let me leave and attempted to rush me back into the monkey cage!
Snowboarding or is that snowballing?
0I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at the National Park that I met, such a great group of people, in no particular order, Anthony & Charlie (for being my crash test dummy partners on the slopes), Katie (for throwing snowballs), Gavin (for jumping out at me!!), Doug & Jen (for being such a great couple and making everyone feel welcome, plus the delights Doug could cook up), Sammy & Olly (for always keeping my belly full of beer), Nathan (for pointing someone special my way), Laura, Chantal, Liam and anyone else I might of missed – a grand time was had!
North Island Adventures
0Or should that read misadventures? I thought it was high time I did an update and give you some crack of what I’ve been getting up to, tis been a hard life for sure!
On my travels I’ve been slowly updating and tweaking my blog, unfortunately it only shows a small proportion of what I’ve actually been up to, due to a combination of Internet access, bringing my blog up to date and laziness – I mean being so busy of course!
Cape Reinga
0Cape Reinga (Te Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua in Maori) is the tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand. Cape Reinga is located over 100 km north of the nearest small town of Kaitaia where I was staying.
Visiting Cape Reinga with Harrisons Cape Runner, the trip consisting of a visit to the Ancient Kauri Kingdom, Wagener Park, Rarawa beach, Cape Reinga, Tapotupotu Bay, Te Paki Sand Dunes (got to toboggan down the massive dunes) and drove down 90 Mile Beach (actually only 63 miles long) where I saw some wild horses hiding out in the dunes.
New Zealand Jade or Greenstone
0There are two kinds of Jade, their geological names are Jadeite and Nephrite. Nephrite is found in New Zealand, the common names for Nephrite are Greenstone or in Maori – Pounamu.
Jade carvings have many different meanings in Maori for the wearer, here is a list of the most common found.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
0Or should that read tongariro alpine uncrossing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular tramping tracks, and is considered the most popular one-day tramp in New Zealand. The crossing passes over the volcanic terrain of the multi-cratered active volcano Mt Tongariro, passing the eastern base of Mt Ngauruhoe.
Winter and snow is fast approaching and the track has been washed out and closed for several days. However, I wake up to find it a glorious day, surely the gods are smiling on me?
Mitai, Maori Village
0An evening at Mitai gave me an introduction to Maori culture leaving me amazed and in awe, they’ve really long tongues!
It opens out with warriors in traditional dress paddling an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream with flaming torches, we learn about the Maori past, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art).
New Zealand Adventures in March
0Some very brief updates of what I’ve been up to since arriving in New Zealand on the 4th March.
All my pictures can be found on my Photo Bucket Album (lots of them), quick way to view is to hit ‘Slideshow’.
My favourite thing to do is sit on the beach and watch the stars at night, you can clearly see the Milkyway, saw a shooting star, made a wish & watch the satellites zip by.. all with a cool beer.
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