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

Sunday 1 May 2011

Easter on Great Barrier Island

We were very lucky to be invited to spend Easter on GBI with Jax's lovely friend and and fellow nurse from work, her partner, John, and his niece and husband. They have a second home out there (its very common out here to have a holiday home, or Bach, as they're called), and often escape for weekends there. Its not too far away, just East from the Auckland coast
Their place is set high up, with great views from the deck, overlooking Okupu beach in Blind bay. And there is a great story of how the house came to be there, after uprooting it and transporting the whole thing on a barge from Cockle bay over to GBI!)
We opted to fly over, on the inter island planes. Little 10 seaters with propellers, and a multi functional pilot. He loads your luggage, gets you on the plane, wipes down the windows, and does the same at the other end!
quite scary at first, but fantastic views on the way, as you dont fly too high

GBI from the air

view from deck jax and wendy
pilot of plane

Jax's ambition since emigrating to NZ, was to catch a fish and eat it - Everybody fishes here- it is the done thing! so John took us out in his boat to try and catch some dinner. (we had emergency steaks at the ready- just in case!!)
He showed us how to chop and attach bait, cast the line, and as soon as Jax's line hit the sea bottom, she had a bite!! what luck!, and what a great fish. definitely a keeper for eating!
Matts got a big One!
Jax's 10 second snapper

 After that it became quite a fish fest. We caught loads of fish between us all. They were almoast jumping into our boat! Matts speciality was catching 2 tiddlers at the same time..but he did catch some big uns too!   We also caught Gurnard (very pretty) and Rob caught a big Kawai- which we used for bait the next day. Apparantly fishing is not always this easy.. but i think it would always be enjoyable- bobbing around in the sunshine, telling a yarn, and putting the world to rights...bliss!!                                                                                             
Gurnard- like a butterfly
the days catch
 The second day was fine and sunny again and we heard over the 2 way radio that dolphins were in the bay. Off we went in the boat again, as John also wanted to go diving for crayfish. we were amazed to find the dolphins as they swam under and alongside the boat. they were massive!. John caught 3 crayfish for tea- so the emergency steaks were put on hold again

dolphins- up close and personal


crayfish for dinner






The third day, we decided to climb Mount Hobson, and find the geocache that is there. a very steep and long climb, we were rewarded with great views, the cache, and blue mushrooms...yes they do exist! At the end of the walk, were some amazing natural hot pools which we could have gone for a dip in had we been prepared!
climbing Mt Hobson

Windy Canyon
have you ever seen blue mushrooms??
Kaitoke hot pools
Mt Hobson from airport on way home


More fotos here
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