The Road Less Traveled

Caved In

My first stop was the Waitoma Worm Caves.  Waitoma is a region south west of Auckland known for their caves, sheep and cows.  The Maori (native New Zealander)  guide took us into the caves for a tour of some stalactites and stalagmites, that as far as caves go were not that interesting.  After a half hour of that, you are lead down to a underground river and put in a small aluminum boat.

The guide pulls the boat along the way on ropes, throughout the dark, and then you come upon the most magnificent site.  The cave ceiling is covered with glowing blue light.  The light is made by a type of worm.  I would say it was pretty miraculous by in and by itself.  The amazing thing is that this was all natural, not an amusement part ride.  This again was much better than expected and something I will never forget.

Falling In Love

Next stop is around a half hour to another waterfall that again was spectacular and worth the 10 minute or so hike.  Along the way, you meet other travelers.  There are a lot of European kids traveling from Germany, Holland and England.  Many rent or buy Vans and live in them.  At this stop I asked them about heading south, which would be shorter to my next destination.  The problem is that the road is not paved.  I think I asked three different groups during the day, if I should take the unpaved road.  Each had a different answer and had not been on the road in question but different unpaved.  They said if you want to see things in New Zealand chances are you will have to go on an unpaved road.  So I am still thinking about it.

In The Middle of Life

Next stop is a natural land bridge.  Again another 10 minute hike.  OK this I could have missed but unexpectedly, past the land bridge, there was a passage to a meadow and farm land.  Sometimes, when you are traveling to a point of interested, you find something better along the way then the place you are going.
This was the case.  I was immersed in a wonderland of greenery and hills.  This is exactly what I imagined New Zealand would be like and was hoping to be able to hike a bit in this type of environment.   The scenery was spectacular in a very down to earth way.

The Moovies

I decide to take the unpaved road, worst case scenario, I will turn around. 
It will save me quite a bit of time if I take the road.  As I drive west toward the road, the countryside is breathtaking.  It is amazing that you hardly see any other cars.  There are no diners or anything but sheep, hills, cows and farms.  I have never seen such a deserted road but you don't feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere.  The feeling is very safe.

A Sheepish Grin

I finally hit the unpaved road and it is not too bad at all.  In fact the length of it is much shorter than shown on the map and I don't think I was on it more than 20 minutes.  A short while back on pavement, passing more country side and all of a sudden a shock.  Ahead I see a herd of sheep crossing the road.  Barking dogs following.  Not an every day experience in Miami.  I start shooting pictures out the side of my window.  I catch up to them to stop and talk to the herder.  I ask him, if he loves what he is doing.  He said, he wouldn't be doing it if he didn't.  The whole thing was miraculous.  I stopped another time to get out of my car to take more sheep pictures.   I paused and heard the sound of 100s of sheep bleating (official name of baaaing) in unison.  One of the most amazing sounds I have ever heard.

I keep heading south towards New Plymouth.  In life, it is possible to have peak moments and unforgettable days.  This was one of those few days that will you never forget.

When Falling Is Good

Bridal Veil Falls

The river leading to the waterfall is just a little stream.  Something average becomes something miraculous in a moment.  Back on my journey I flow south to the bottom of the Island.  New Zealand is made up of two Islands North and South.  Auckland is on the North Island.

The first day has been very challenging.  I have rented a car that is from another century and the steering wheel is on the wrong side.  Stay left and look right is my mantra.  After having the car ten minutes, I already had gotten a parking ticket.  Things did not start out so well.

Not Baad

I head south to Waingaro Springs and decide to take the scenic route and surprisingly get lost.  I got lost a lot that first day, but the country is so beautiful you almost don't care.   Love the sheep and cows.

Spring Time For Scott In New Zealand

I have made it a point to visit as many hot springs as possible as they are littered throughout the country.   When I finally arrived around 3 hours later than I imagined.  I was greeted by the owner from India who micorwaved a meat pie for me and I had a ginger beer to drink.  Ginger beer tastes something like a combination between ginger ale, root beer and sprite and is my adopted soft drink of New Zealand.  A meat pie is ground beef in dough.  I soaked for around 20 minutes and dried in the sun as I had no towel.  The place is for families and is a bit run down but the water felt great. 

This Cow Knows I Had a Meat Pie

Next stop was Bridal Veil Falls.  It was a round a 10 minute hike or so to the falls and you could see the falls from a perch or trail down to the base.  Often when these things are advertised, they are short of expectations, the falls were beyond expectations.  They were glorious. 

I headed to the Waitomo Caves area as night fell.  I had a Big Mac at Mc Donalds which I don't think I have had in 20 years.  I guess I wanted something familiar.  Auckland to Waitamo Caves, my destination is around a 3 hour drive.  With my stops, photo stops and getting lost my trip took 9 hours.

I arrived at a lodge style motel in the country and very tired went to bed.  A challenging but great first day.

PLEASE NOTE: You can click on any of the above images to enlarge.

Leaving Auckland

A Room With a View

I am leaving Auckland in 2 days to travel around the country.  I hope to resume blogging but felt that living in Auckland was more like real life and not traveling, so I did not have the yen to blog.  Auckland is not an incredibly cosmopolitan city and is a bit generic.  I really like the parks here a lot and the birds have a beautiful song.  There is always a breeze in New Zealand and the clouds are fluffy and the Sky is a beautiful blue.

The picture you see is a view from my apartment.  I have a one bedroom apartment that is clean, simple and modern and a good value.  The view as you can see is amazing.


There are so many Asian people where I live, that you would think that you were in an Asian country.  Mostly Chinese and Koreans.  The signs on so many shops, you find are in Chinese and Korean.  One great thing about Auckland is the abundance of cheap and good Asian food.  For $12 New Zealand, which is less than $10 US, you can get a huge Korean meal and this includes tip and tax.  There is no tipping in New Zealand, and tax is usually included.

The other thing that is a good value is massage.  They have a few places that give incredible foot massages.  Other things can be very expensive, like clothes.  People here can be very friendly and helpful but not everyone.  One crazy thing is that a couple people have told me that they really like my accent and to listen to me talk.  It is a bit like bizarro world.  Another crazy thing is a lot of people say thank you when they get off the bus.  Just like in New York.

I have been working with a trainer-physioligist and we are working on balancing my yin and yang.  For anyone that does not know what that is, it is the basic Chinese philosophy of balancing opposites.  Tomorrow we are going to make a video of all the exercises he has given me.

I did eat at probably the only kosher restaurant here and have bumped into a few Jewish people and Israelis, "wherever you go there is always someone........."

Well back to traveling on Wednesday and taking more pictures.