It's the first honeymoon I've ever been on. Kat had packed, foraged for and organised for me a tent, sleeping bag, rain jacket and climbing shoes (she even remembered my shoe size).
Our road trip by van, departing from Wellington, would encompass, I only just discovered, Lake Taupo, Rotorua and on to Coromandel.
Kat was keen for me to have some Kiwi experiences, including trying national food such as pies and under Llyal's insistence, goodie goodie gum drop ice cream.
The drive to Taupo, where lies the largest lake in New Zealand, passed over some pretty diverse terrain, including a dessert and the dramatic Taupo Volcanic Zone where Llyal did his military training. Three mountains were barely visible through the foggy sky.
The lake itself is 8 cubic kilometres and sits in the caldera of a volcano that began erupting about 300,000 years ago. A lady with a speed boat was waiting to take us across to the other side. The waves caused motion as if on the sea but there was no salty taste to the air. At the other side we pulled into a little known free campsite carved into the bushes. Ducks paddled in the wake of the boat and Kat and Llyal's climbing buddies met us. We finished the day with a barbecue on the beach.
This trip has brought several firsts for me as I'd never been climbing in the great outdoors. The next morning, we fumbled along a barely trodden path over boulders and tree roots to get to the base of a cliff by the sea. It's exhilarating climbing - harness attached - above the thick forest of trees to sense the exposure of the world around, clinging (barely) to the face of rock 50 meters above sea level. Despite being quite safe (keen climbers fix bolts- small, permanent anchors fixed in the rock at regular intervals - at potential climb spots. They offer dependable protection and reduce the chance of a very long, potentially severe fall), climbs with high exposure are not for the faint hearted. For most of the climb, however, a climber is immersed in concentration. The thought process of where to grab handholds, trusting minute footholds and developing techniques that enables you to reserve energy, provides as much of the thrill.
Kiwis know how to enjoy life, choosing easily between the things that matter and the superfluous. Many are generous with what they have and prefer the simple option. Experienced campers on the whole- clean, prepared and respectful to the environment- they are treated in return with free camping opportunities throughout the north and south islands.
After leaving the lake the following evening, we spent the night in a free campsite by the river in Taupo. The next morning, after sighting the Aratiatia falls, we headed for Rotorua where a line of geothermal activity stretches as far as Whakaari. The Maori revered this place, and today 35% of the Rotorua population is Maori, with their cultural performances and traditional hangi as a big attraction. Despite the pervasive eggy odour, we enjoyed a lazy morning at Te Whakarewarewa, a thermal reserve, where we could also see traditional Maori weaving, wood carving and dance.
Maori is the "white" term for a people who prefer to be known by their specific Polynesian descent or 'Iwi'. Polynesians arrived in New Zealand from about 1200CE, wiping out the first native people of New Zealand. Today the Maori make up roughly 15% of the country's population.
We arrived at our batch in Coromandel by evening where we met up with Kat's Canadian friends. The "batch", or holiday home, was in the stunning setting of a harbour, lit brightly by the moonlight.
The holiday was starting to wind down and we finished with a day at the beach, walking through a cliffside national reserve to get to Cathedral cove.
Our road trip by van, departing from Wellington, would encompass, I only just discovered, Lake Taupo, Rotorua and on to Coromandel.
Kat was keen for me to have some Kiwi experiences, including trying national food such as pies and under Llyal's insistence, goodie goodie gum drop ice cream.
The drive to Taupo, where lies the largest lake in New Zealand, passed over some pretty diverse terrain, including a dessert and the dramatic Taupo Volcanic Zone where Llyal did his military training. Three mountains were barely visible through the foggy sky.
The lake itself is 8 cubic kilometres and sits in the caldera of a volcano that began erupting about 300,000 years ago. A lady with a speed boat was waiting to take us across to the other side. The waves caused motion as if on the sea but there was no salty taste to the air. At the other side we pulled into a little known free campsite carved into the bushes. Ducks paddled in the wake of the boat and Kat and Llyal's climbing buddies met us. We finished the day with a barbecue on the beach.
This trip has brought several firsts for me as I'd never been climbing in the great outdoors. The next morning, we fumbled along a barely trodden path over boulders and tree roots to get to the base of a cliff by the sea. It's exhilarating climbing - harness attached - above the thick forest of trees to sense the exposure of the world around, clinging (barely) to the face of rock 50 meters above sea level. Despite being quite safe (keen climbers fix bolts- small, permanent anchors fixed in the rock at regular intervals - at potential climb spots. They offer dependable protection and reduce the chance of a very long, potentially severe fall), climbs with high exposure are not for the faint hearted. For most of the climb, however, a climber is immersed in concentration. The thought process of where to grab handholds, trusting minute footholds and developing techniques that enables you to reserve energy, provides as much of the thrill.
Kiwis know how to enjoy life, choosing easily between the things that matter and the superfluous. Many are generous with what they have and prefer the simple option. Experienced campers on the whole- clean, prepared and respectful to the environment- they are treated in return with free camping opportunities throughout the north and south islands.
After leaving the lake the following evening, we spent the night in a free campsite by the river in Taupo. The next morning, after sighting the Aratiatia falls, we headed for Rotorua where a line of geothermal activity stretches as far as Whakaari. The Maori revered this place, and today 35% of the Rotorua population is Maori, with their cultural performances and traditional hangi as a big attraction. Despite the pervasive eggy odour, we enjoyed a lazy morning at Te Whakarewarewa, a thermal reserve, where we could also see traditional Maori weaving, wood carving and dance.
Maori is the "white" term for a people who prefer to be known by their specific Polynesian descent or 'Iwi'. Polynesians arrived in New Zealand from about 1200CE, wiping out the first native people of New Zealand. Today the Maori make up roughly 15% of the country's population.
We arrived at our batch in Coromandel by evening where we met up with Kat's Canadian friends. The "batch", or holiday home, was in the stunning setting of a harbour, lit brightly by the moonlight.
The holiday was starting to wind down and we finished with a day at the beach, walking through a cliffside national reserve to get to Cathedral cove.
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