I know many of you are on FB and have seen some of these, but some aren’t and I know one or the other have shown interest. More pictures (including the ones below in a decent resolution) can be seen here.
In short, New Zealand is awesome. If anyone cares for a more elaborate version of that statement, let me know.
I assume you all know these ones, at least the RAF
Matai Bay in the Far North. Far North has one of the lowest population densities and highest percentage of Maori population. Also, some decent nature.
The entrance to the Ruakuri Cave
Totally staged. I spent like five minutes fixing the gorilla pod on a tree and getting decent light reading. Taken along Milford Track, which is extraordinary70 km in three days
Thermal springs in Rotorua
Close to Huka Falls
View out of my friend’s kitchen, featuring Ruapehu volcano. I am officially envious.
OK, you want to know how ridiculously loaded New Zealand is? So, go to Nin’s Bin and have this huge fresh crayfish, right on the coast in an old camper overlooking the Ocean. And then basically just cross the road, walk five minutes into the forest and land at these waterfalls. And, oh yeah by the way, this is the place where seals leave their pups to play while they are doing more important stuff, a seal day care center, if you will. I mean, come on…
And in case you are wondering what Nin’s Bin is, it is a family run business in the third generation offering fresh crayfish with a view
This is Koru, a beginning of a new fern and also a Maori symbol for new beginnings in life.
Calla lillies. They grow everywhere and are just ridiculously big.
That’s New Zealand highway. Driving there is an absolute pleasure.
Milford Sound
Sutherland Falls, 580 meters high. See Virginia and a friend in the bottom?
This is Kea, a New Zealand bird that can actually fly.
Shades of green
Southern Alps
Emerald Lakes at Tongariro
Those photos are incredible. Thanks for posting!
I will point out that calla lilies grow like crazy in the bay area too.
Just beautiful.
Looks like an amazingly beautiful trip. Thanks for sharing these!
The one with a jumping seal is ridiculous. Great photos
Gorgeous. And…hot springs! Wow, that is a LOT of hot water. There must be a soak to be had somewhere there.
decent nature FTW.
Yeah, but do they have sushi burritos?
Man, we still talk about those
Wow. All of them. Wow.
New Zealand looks beautiful…as far as the photography goes I really liked the picture of the entrance to Ruakuri Cave.
Spectacular. I want to be at that thermal springs right now, it looks other-worldly.
Did you ever end up going cave tubing? What did you think? The photos are, of course, beautiful.
Thanks. No, we didn’t. My shoulder is still pretty bad, so I avoided most unnecessary strains on it.
So, so, so, SOOOOOO gorgeous! And I’m so envious. And so glad you two got to take such a fantastic trip together… thanks for sharing this fraction of the beauty with us :)
Yeah, this was a big part of what made this great, sharing it with Virginia. She was not there on most of my trips, so a trip like this makes it special and makes up for not being adventurous at all.
These are incredible, EC. Looks like an amazing time!
Holy hell, how have I not seen these until now? Two things:
1. New Zealand is flat-out gorgeous.
2. You take beautiful pictures.
As if we didn’t already know he’s the most interesting man in the world…
I am nowhere cool enough to be elcroata.
Wrong thread you half wit
Oh Ed…you’re cracking me up tonight.
Hey, nice – thanks for posting. You can even see Joe (Optimist Prime) in the background. growing out of my healthy shoulder
hey we got a cool card from you guys.
the record has not been off my turntable in about a week. Kudos on your gifting prowess
Smiling face. Colin and Jennifer were great help
they also too get kudos
I FKing love that album.
So awesome.
You should think about submitting something to the Springbok puzzle image contest. And then if you won, I would have a cool puzzle to do!
:( Drat.
Do so on his behalf?