Today's theme was "everything kauri," as we visited the world's only location for ancient kauri trees--the North Island of NZ, and specifically, we visited the Waipoua Kauri Forest Preserve. These trees, in their most ancient form, were almost extinct when the NZ government declared them to be protected, and prohibited any more logging of the species.
Due to the lack of photographic skill, as well as the absence of a truly wide-angle lens, we couldn't really show the true majesty of these giants. What follows, however, is a poor-man's pictorial of these awe inspiring monuments to nature.
I may have shown this first frame on yesterday's blog entry, but just in case I didn't, I wanted to share with you an idea of the scale of some of these monsters.
Ancient subterranean kauri trunk, drying in the Kauri Kingdom yard, Awanui, NZ.
Inside they had an amazing array of products, ranging from organic honey, to clothes, and hats, all the way up to this sculpture/furniture selling for a cool $9500.00 NZD, or roughly $7600.00 CAD!
Cailin and a kiwi, sittin' in a tree, d-r-e-m-i-n-g!
This kauri table was equally dear, at $18,560.00 NZD, or $15,000.00 CAD.
A master carver's work of art, Kauri Kingdom, Awanui, NZ
On the road to the ancient kauri reserve, the jungle steadily closed in on us, as we wound our way up the mountainside to the kauri habitat. This preserve is located north of Auckland, on the west coast of the North Island. As this is the side of the island that bears the brunt of New Zealand's prevailing winds blowing westward across the Tasman Sea, and because the forest is located on a mountainside, you can imagine the lush growing opportunities these trees and the surrounding forest enjoy!
Winding our way up the mountainside, Waipoua Kauri Forest, Waipoua District, NZ
You can find info on this area at the following link; http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/northland/kauri-coast/waipoua-forest/
Lunch under a tree, before we began our ascent to the forest.
Lunch under an unidentified tree, Opononi, NZ
At the entrance to the forest, there is a washing station, so that foreign organisms don't enter the preserve.
Yogi 'da bear slips "quietly" out of the underbrush to spritz the wee beggar's sole!
No--REALLY!!
Into the heart of Darkness...Kurtz awaited them...
An ominous beginning to the trek.
Opening stage of the path to the Four Sisters kauri trees, et al.
Below is probably the best perspective shot we were able to get. All the other trees we couldn't get close enough to, but this one had a platform snugged up right close to it.
Kauri Giant, Waipoua Kauri Forest, Waipoua District, NZ
Cal, walking amongst the giants, along the government-provided, wooden platform path.
An idea of the awesome scale we were dealing with, Kauri Forest, Waipoua, NZ
Another indication of the drastic scale of this natural wonder!
(I didn't have enough lens to shoot the top half of the tree!)
On the way down, on the leeward side of the mountain, we ran across this road obstacle. It wasn't a bridge this time, but they had nowhere else to run their road, except between these two hulking twins.
Waipoua District, Waipoua, NZ
All things must come to an end, and today's final frame is provide by the budding nature photographer, Cal.
"Bah-Ram-Ewe, Bah-Ram-Ewe..."
Farewell from Sleepy New Zealand!
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