Queen Charlotte Track Part II

A picturesque view of the sound with its bays, inlets, and fingers of land jutting into the Queen Charlotte Sound. This was taken from one of the high points along a ridge.


Silhouette capturing more of the spectacular scenery along the way.


Rina contemplating all that is New Zealand in the still blue waters of the sound.


With 70 Km behind us, this was a joyous sight. Rina finds it hard to contain herself.


Even though we only carried day packs, the long last couple of days took it out of us. We watched the shags diving for fish while we waited for the water taxi to collect us. The taxi was delayed, as they helped rescue a guy who fell off his boat into the frigid water.

Queen Charlotte Track

We set off from Picton by water taxi, heading for Ship Cove, the start of the 5 day, 71 km Queen Charlotte track. This is a site that Captain Cook used to spend a lot of time, and it was easy to see why. Protected waters, killer scenery, easy access for round the world adventure.

71 km didn't sound too bad when we were reading about it, but coming up on this signpost was a bit daunting. At least the water taxi was ferrying our packs each day to the next backpackers along the way.


A Weka. Another of New Zealand's flightless birds, often mistaken for kiwis. There were a couple who obviously live at this popular lunch spot and scavenge tidbits from unsuspecting touristas.

Although it was mid winter, we lucked out with 4 of 5 days being crystal clear. As the track meandered along the edge of the Sound we would get view after view like this. I'm sure it would have been very different in the rain.

The "fishing dog" is a resident of the Furneaux Lodge. He loves trotting in the shallow clear water scanning for fish and rushing at them in attempt to catch a bite. Rumour has it that he does this for hours day after day and nobody has seen him catch anything. His other hobby is tagging along with hikers as they leave the Furneaux Lodge heading for the next place of rest. He followed us for 4 hours to Punga Cove through fields with signs such as 'No Dogs - Violators will be shot!'. Obviously this dog couldn't read. When we arrived at Punga Cove we found out that he does this regularly and waits there until his owner collects him by boat.

A sampling of NZ bush. It is really striking when you enter an area of natural bush, with the ferns, cabbage trees, vines, massive kauri and totara and rimu trees, moss, etc. Especially when the NZ birds are around. Their songs are very impressive and distinct. Really makes you feel like you are in a different wilderness than what we are used to. Bellbirds, tuis, wood pigeons, fantail, morepork, tomtit, robins, thrushes, blackbirds all quickly become recognizeable. The other thing that quickly becomes evident is lack of other creatures. There are no snakes, chipmunks, squirrels, and other forest creature we are used to seeing.

Dark maroon bark on massive kauri tree covered with moss. My large nose present for sense of scale.

Whangarei Falls. Photogenic waterfall in the Northland, set next to nice bushwalk with many large native NZ trees.


Kiwis LOVE their meat! They even flavor their potato chips with such things as chicken, beef, and of course roast lamb and mint. Even with that yummy depiction and bragging that these kettle chips are 'imbued with the succulent taste of roast lamb & mint', Rina was having none of it.

Waitangi

Hedgehog on the Treaty of Waitangi grounds. Looks innocent enough, but apparently these, too, are an introduced species and considered a threat to many of the native bird species.


The Treaty of Waitangi marae and meeting house. This is a Maori meeting house that has some contributions from each of the Maori tribes in New Zealand. The carvings and weavings along the interior walls each represent a different tribe. This differs from the typical marae and meeting house, which usually represent a single tribes' ancestry and characteristics in the carvings and weavings.


Rina delivering a young Maori ancestor by C-section. The incision is a bit high, but it was her first one.

Bay of Islands

Bracing myself for a brief snorkeling adventure into the ocean. Despite the sun and clear skies, water temps were less than inviting. After gaining control of my breathing again, I was able to look around for the underwater sealife. Mostly saw anenomes and 1 ray.


View of the vessel from a high point on the island we visited. Spectacular vistas of the whole of the bay of islands from here.


Maxing and relaxing and enjoying some blue skies - a rarity in New Zealand.


Could be the Carribean, eh?


"I'm the king of the wooorld!" A close approximation anyway.