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Travelogue
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New Zealand
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New Zealand Photo Pages: 1
2 3
New Zealand
- Epilogue
Having spent most of my last month in New Zealand cruising around
the Northland region, which is the upper half of the North Island, I'm
inclined to augment my original description of New Zealand. There really is a great deal
of geographical beauty here, much of it unique in my experience and worth
seeing. In particular, the cathedral-like Kauri forests possess a
spiritual aura apparent to all but the most unconscious. The sparsely
populated Cape Reinga peninsula, New Zealand's northernmost bit of land,
made me think of Cape Cod the way it must've been 80 years ago. And the
northeast coast boasts innumerable scenic harbors and hikes. Here, too, is
the Bay of Islands, where I crewed aboard what turned out to be the
winning schooner in the 2005
Tall Ships & Classic Sailboats Race.
I happened visit New Zealand during the wettest, coldest
spring and early summer seasons in a hundred years, and I think the lousy weather was effecting my enthusiasm for where I was and what I was
doing. In a broader sense, the weather may have been a reflection of my
own state of mind. Whatever the reality of that is, both have improved
immeasurably during this past month. In addition to that, Northland really
surprised me. I wasn't expecting much from it; all you hear about when you
arrive in New Zealand is South Island, South Island. The South Island is
spectacular in places, but I found the Northland equally so in other ways.
A great deal has happened, but I don't think I'll write more about it. Don't much feel like it right
now, and I'm scheduled to fly to Thailand in a few days where I'll begin a
whole new adventure. If you're interested, browse through the many
photographs I've posted on subsequent pages and you'll get a feeling for
where I've been and what I've seen during my 3 months here. When/if I get around to
it I've
got a hundred more photos to post, mostly from the Northland leg of
my journey, on New
Zealand Photo Page 2, so be sure and check back again..
I will boast that after nearly three months of cruising
all over New Zealand, I sold my wonderful campervan the other day for a little more
than I had into it, to the first couple that looked at it! Buying a
temporary van was a great deal for me, ideal transportation and
accommodation. It was unquestionably the best way
to see this country.
Click
here for links to all Travelogue pages
New Zealand Photo Pages: 1
2 3
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