McCrain's
in Middle Earth
A travel dialogue of our adventures
in New Zealand
In February 2004, Jim and Kathy McCrain began a five month oddessy in New Zealand. Kathy was transferred to Auckland for a temporary work assignment, and Jim followed her for moral support. (Isn't he just the greatest husband?)
What follows is Jim's account of this adventure.
New Zealand Scenery
March 20, 2004
"So what exactly does New Zealand look like?" I had to ask myself this question. All I knew about the countryside before I got here was what I had seen on TV and in the movies. (Hercules, Xena, and The Lord of the Rings were all filmed in New Zealand.) What that really means is that I had no really good ideas. I would just have to find out for myself. So on Saturday, Kathy and I made a trip south of Auckland to the center of the North Island. We were on our way to Lake Taupo.
Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater body in New Zealand. It is also roughly in the center of the North Island. Getting there would take us through a good cross section of the countryside. I have no doubt that what we saw that day is only a small portion of the topography. After all, we didn't get into the mountains, but simply skirted around them. Here are a few pictures that will explain what we saw far better than any words I could come up with.
This
canal comes directly off of the southern shore of Lake Taupo. It was
the final leg of the Tongairiro Mountain Classic adventure race that
we had come down to see. (More on this race later!)
Huka Falls drains out of the northern end of Lake Taupo, and is the only water outlet for the entire lake.
Rolling countryside, complete with sheep! (Near Matamata.)
This sheep was "hamming it up!"
More countryside shots!
This rock stood all by itself, with no other large topographic features anywhere nearby! Oh, the wonders of a volcanic island!
This is a river near Turangi, and was the kayak transition point for the Tongairiro Mountain Classic adventure race.
There is SO MUCH MORE that I could show you, but I don't want to spoil all the surprises! You'll just have to come see this magnificent country for yourself! (Don't worry! I'll post more pictures later!)
