M&J Down Under: February 2011

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

Saturday 12 February 2011

summer down under....

misty crater crossing

jax at Emerald Lakes

.. ia amazing! it lasts forever with a promise of a few more months. gorgeous climate. shorts and tee's are the mandatory wardrobe. the small holiday wardrobe I've had for then last 15 years (which only got an airing about 2 weeks per year in the UK), are wearing out fast!..
so in hot hot January, we've had cyclone threats that only amounted to a few days of heavy tropical rain and winds. in the middle of Cyclone Vanja, Mat'ts parents arrived. luckily the weather vastly improved when the jet lag wore off! they planned their 7 week vacation on a spread sheet, and we planned to chip in and meet up with them en route.
the highlight of January has to be walking the 'Tongaririo crossing with them;. ( Of Mount Doom fame- from the Lord of the rings film) (Rated as the best one day trek in New Zealand and listed by many in the top 10 day treks in the world) Many who complete the 18.5 kilometre journey will tell you the climbs can be steep and the weather can be unpredictable.
the weather turned out beaut, with the odd application of jackets, as we were so high up- it was quite cold and windy in places.

Mount Doom

Emerald lakes from top

scary ridge walk to Summit

descending scree to lakes

the walk took around 7 hours, with a severe climb up, amazing views of the Emerald lakes, and a dodgy slide down the sheer shale drop down!

we were quite stiff for the next couple of days- but was one of the best walks we have done.
see here for more pics ..
Tongaririo photos

January also brought Will, Matts cousin, from Canada. who had a great 2 weeks Tiki-tour around the north island and needs to spend longer on his next vacation!
the summer rolls on and on, and we love going going to deserted beaches at the weekend, chilling and walking etc... we have never been so brown without trying :)