New Zealand is a land of intense and almost untouched beauty. It’s climate ranges from subtropical to subantarctic. It is one of only two places in the world where you can begin your day in a tropical garden filled with exotic flowers and in an hour or two end up on the top of a glacier. The Pacific “ring of fire” begins here and it is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. At Hot Water beach, the boys dug their own thermal spa in the sand. Water fills the hole from the ground as you dig and it is HOT! Everyone has to be very careful about where they stand and dig, as some areas are much hotter than others. In one area, it actually scalded your skin if you stood in it. The funny thing is, we haven’t dealt with crowds the entire trip in NZ, but here, the beach was crowded with people lounging in their own personal spas, laughing and joking around with each other, with only a short wall of sand separating pools. Okay, Nederlanders, crowded is relative... nothing like your beaches, maybe 250 people, but for here, that’s the most we’ve seen in one spot!
The landscape here varies from rolling green pastures, dotted with sheep and cows, to snow capped mountains. Orchids filled with kiwis, apples, oranges, persimmons, avocados, and various other exotic fruits. Vineyards abound, producing some of the finest white wines in the world. Spectacular cliffs and bays along the coast with crystal clear blue water. On the surface, it is a paradise of sorts. The landscapes of Ireland, England, South of France, and the Alps (the list could go on), all rolled into one amazing country. New Zealand is one of the most isolated and least populated countries of the world. It is one of the few places left where you can find your own private beach, or walk for hours and not see anyone else along the way. There are still quite a lot of gravel roads here. They are very narrow- clinging to the side of cliffs and going around hairpin curves, we feel like we have accomplished something when we make it back in one piece at the end of the day!
The towns here are like stepping back in time to small town America in the 1950’s. The main streets are filled with various shops and eateries that serve as the center of shopping, and in most cases, the only shopping available. Various shops line both sides of the street such as the butcher, bakery, pharmacy, clothing stores, and restaurants. It’s like visiting a lost and forgotten time in America that, for me, was only experienced on old TV shows, but always seemed so ideal. Now, I feel like I get to walk around a new Mayberry everyday! (That’s something only those from the south will appreciate.)
Before people came to New Zealand, there were no native mammals (other than nectar drinking bats) . The only land mammals that are here now are those that have been introduced by the native Maori people and European settlers. These animals have posed a great threat to the native bird population. New Zealand is known for it’s unusual birds. In the past, not having any significant predators to eat them, a number of these birds are flightless. With the introduction of various mammals, these birds are now fighting for survival... with the help of most New Zealanders. We have seen numerous signs posted to keep dogs on a leash because they, and cats, kill their much beloved kiwi bird. Possums eat the tender young shoots of two particular native trees. These trees are very important for producing nectar for a great number of the birds. Wild boars root out kiwis and eat them. The government arranges helicopter drops of poison (that is illegal in almost every other country in the world) into dense areas that target possums and any other mammal that may not be able to resist its lure. Hunters, and those concerned with safety, protest these drops because they are also causing the death of the deer, wild boar, dogs, and any other animals that may eat it. Since none of these mammals are native to the land, the government, basically, shrugs its shoulders, putting the welfare of the native birds and plants before these animals that came later to NZ. It’s a tricky situation that doesn’t seem to have any immediate answers on the horizon.
So, still on the subject of birds... of the 17 different species of penguins in the world, six are in New Zealand. These are the erect-crested, Rockhopper, Snares, Blue, Fiordland Crested, and the Yellow-eyed Penguin, the world’s rarest. We haven’t spotted any yet, but hope to have more luck on the south island in a few weeks. We also haven’t had any luck yet with spotting a Kiwi; being nocturnal, they are a little more tricky. But there are plenty of signs that they are in the area. Unless you love birds and sheep, you definitely don’t come to New Zealand for the animals. Wildlife aside, it is a nature lovers paradise. Walking trails abound and the scenery never fails to take your breath away. Thailand gave us plenty of animals encounters to hold us over until we hit Australia. We are anxious to see the cuddly kangaroos, koala bears, and wallabies in a few weeks... oh, I almost forgot, AND some of the most deadly animals in the world! Maybe we do need to enjoy this break from wildlife for the moment!
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