Kia Ora

Kia Ora

Interesting facts.

NZ. or Aotearoa In Maori, means 'The Land of the long white cloud'. It is quite a young country, geologically active, with tectonic faults and volcanoes, glaciers and rivers constantly building and eroding land. It consists of many islands, the main ones being the North and South island. It used to be part of one land mass, Gondwana, and split off 80 million years ago, taking with it its unique plants and bird life. The first Eastern Polynesian settlers arrived 750 years ago, and the first Europeans to settle arrived in 1769 after discovery by James Cook.

As it is a long thin country, there are several climates and micro climates within, from sub tropical in the North and temperate (similar to UK) in the South. The total population is around 4.2 million ( UK has nearly 63 million) of which 1 million are based in Auckland. Auckalnd also known as the 'The city of sails' (due to a high proportion of boat ownership) is the biggest city, though not the capital, which is Wellinton. Auckland’s weather is warm/hot long summers with mild and wet winters. (average annual sunshine hours= 2050. Manchester=1200 hrs) and (annual average rain=1240mm. Manchester=810mm!) most rain falling as heavy tropical showers in the winter months of June-July

Friday 20 August 2010

Raglan

Aranui Caves
Last stop before home - Raglan the home of NZ surfing on the wild West coast. On the way we stopped off at the Wiatomo Glow Worm caves - here (we went on a little boat which floated into a cave filled with millions of Glow Worms which was amazing) and the Aranui caves (full of stalactites and stalagmites).

In Raglan we stayed at a lovely backpackers which was right on the waterfront. It would be lovely in summer as you could go swim, kayak and surf - definitely worth a trip back.

Raglan Beach
We did go and check out the surf beach but it was so choppy the sea was like a washing machine and no-one was out. More photos here
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