New
Zealand Epilogue
New Zealand Photo Pages: 1
2
3
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.
Next
stop: Thailand!
New Zealand Photo Pages: 1
2
3
