Started the tour today. After picking up everyone, we went to Kahurangi National park, outside Woodstock. It is home to Mt. Arthur, one of the sites from Lord of the Rings. After a picnic lunch, we hiked 3-4 hours to the first tramping huts. Tramping is what they call multi-day hiking trips. Little huts are set up along trails in New Zealand for trampers to use to rest, sleep, etc. We hiked mostly through woods, although every once in a while we had breaks in the trees with fantastic views. I took pictures, but you really can't capture the beauty on a one dimensional picture. We also saw several small birds - I was amazed how unafraid they were of us. Several times we went to get closer, making noises that would typically scare off a birds anywhere else, but these just ignored us.
We got into a conversation about how some things that attach themselves to the trees are symbiotic and do not damage, but may help the ecosystem. On the other hand, when people bring in new flora/fauna from other countries they can damage the relationship. The have an insect that bores into one of there trees and creates a honey that is eaten by butterflies and the like. But when wasps were brought into this country (I have no idea why somebody would want to do that), they started eating the honey and stinging those who originally ate it.
I also learned a bit about the Moari, or indigenous people. Surprising to me was that they only arrived in New Zealand a little over 1000 years ago. But they are considered indigenous because the Moari beat the Europeans who did not settle here until 1840's.
What we call Moari, are actually more than 160 tribes. The name Moari started when the Europeans arrived. The tribes looked at them and called themselves "Moari", or "normal" , and the Europeans "pakeha", or "different".
Interesting fact day 3: kiwi fruit was "stolen" from China in the 1940's, and originally had a different name. In the early 80's to increase sales and market it better, they came up with the name kiwi (which is also a bird and slang for the people of NZ).
Pictures: view from hike (top), Mt. Arthur, and unique tree
One side of the mountain looks so lush and green, and the other is so badly balded and desert-like. Was there a forest fire or something.
ReplyDeleteHow did you do with your asthma during the hike?
The dry side is grass introduced here because it is hardy in dry climates (there is very little rain in this part of the island). With just a little rain, the grass will quickly turn green.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with my asthma on my climb to the "center of NZ", but have not had any problems since then. I am not really coughing either over here. Let me know if you decide to retire here and I will join you. It appears our money is strong here and we can get good house for American dollars.