South Island Beginnings

I'm writing this on the fly, as I have exited the mountains temporarily for a Christmas buffet and a little vacation before entering the scenic Nelson Lakes.  Thus, this update will be a little bit short, but hopefully, interesting.  Also, it may be the last update I write for some time, as the following sections …

Coast to Capital

This section took me from the delta of the Whanganui River through the Tararua range to the capital, Wellington, where I touched the south coast of the North Island, thereby finishing the first part of my trek.  The mountains were cold yet beautiful, an apt introduction to the South Island, while the capital city is …

Whanganui River Walk

The Whanganui River is often compared to a giant rope, being woven together of many streams twisting their way through the chasms and gorges of Whanganui until they join the center plait of the river.  Along this river follows a river road, which passes through many of the historic places that give the area its …

Mountains to the Sea

Maori legend tells of the great wizard, Ngatoro-i-rangi, who discovered the now famous mountains in the Central Plateau.  He climbed what was then the highest peak, and was about to die of cold.  So, he called on the powers of Hawaiki in the north, and the south wind (Tonga) carried away (riro) his words.  The gods …

New Zealand Clouds

There was once a Maori navigator named Kupe who sailed the oceans.  One day, he saw a long cloud in the distance and his wife called out, "He ao!  Aotearoa!"  which means, "Behold, a cloud!  A long, white cloud!"  Thus, the Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa or, roughly, "The land of the long …