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

Monday 7 March 2011

west coast

next stop Punakaiku- famous for its pancacke rocks and blow holes. we stayed in a great lodge in the middle of the jungle, with a little track just 8 mins down to the beach. we stayed for 2 nights and went to watch a lovely sunset on a clear clear sky...and hopefully spot some fairy penguins...well  we managed the sun set..:(
Thar she blows!
  next day we went to see the pancake rocks and blow hole and timed it for high tide. quite impressive! that western sea is wild and mighty!

we didnt see any penguins (except dead ones washed up by the sea- yuk!), but saw lots of seals. there are many colonies dotted around the shore- some with good view points. we didnt realise we would get much closer to them during the rest of the holiday
seal colony

              
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