Lake Te Anau, on the boat ride to the start of the Milford Track.Meadow near the start of the Milford Track, by the Glade House.Suspension bridge over the Clinton River.View of the Clinton River.Boardwalk over protected wetlands, next to Clinton Hut.View from the wetland area next to Clinton Hut.Freshwater eels (called “tuna” in Māori) in the Clinton River.The mountains at sunset, seen from Clinton Hut.Hiking along the Clinton River in the morning.View of the river through the trees.Some rapids on the river.A calm part of the West Branch of the Clinton River.Hiking through the Clinton Valley.Hidden Lake.The trail winding through the forest.The trail nearing Mintaro Hut.The rainforest in the morning.A kea on Mackinnon Pass.Fellow hikers descending Mackinnon Pass.Continuing the descent from Mackinnon Pass.Roaring Burn Falls on the Milford Track.The Roaring Burn plunge pool and cascades.A weka on the trail.Suspension bridge over a creek in the rainforest.The trail through moss-covered trees.Rough tree ferns along the trail.The trail along the edge of Arthur River.Arthur River.Arthur River in the morning with a suspension bridge in the distance.Mackay Creek.Mackay Falls.Mountains and ferns on the Milford Track.Mountains on the south-side of Arthur River, looking toward Joes River Valley.The trail climbing alongside Arthur River.Giant Gate Falls.The Sheerdown Hills, on the south-side of Lake Ada.A creek in the rainforest.A waterfall plummeting from the Sheerdown Hills.Deepwater Basin, near Sandfly Point.Another view of Deepwater Basin.Sandfly Point, the terminus of the Milford Track.Deepwater Basin seen from Sandfly Point.Milford Sound, seen from the boat transporting hikers from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound Village.
Routeburn Track:
Mirror Lake, seen during a bus stop while traveling from Te Anau to the start of the Routeburn Track at the Divide Shelter.The Darran Mountains seen near the beginning of the Routeburn Track.Approaching Key Summit with the Darran Mountains in view.Darran Mountains seen from Key Summit.Another view of the mountains near Key Summit.The Ailsa Mountains seen near Key Summit.Closeup of Mount Christina (left), the Marian Valley, and Mount Lyttle (right) in the Darran Mountain Range.The mountain ranges south-southwest of Key Summit.Branches covered in thick moss.Another view of the mountains south-southwest of the Routeburn trail, near Key Summit.Lake Howden.Meadow near Lake Howden.Lake Howden near sunset.Earland Falls, seen in the early morning.Darran Mountains seen from the trail.More of the mountains along the Routeburn Track.Looking back at Earland Falls in the distance.Looking toward Ocean Peak on the trail.The Hollyford River Valley.Rocks on the edge of Lake Mackenzie.The trail ascending next to Lake Mackenzie, with Emily Pass in the distance.The trail on the edge of a mountain.Looking back toward the Divide and the Darran Mountains.Another view of the Hollyford River Valley.The trail continuing along the eastern side of the Hollyford River Valley.Mount Gifford on the other side of the valley.Mounts Lyttle, Gunn, and Gifford (left-to-right) in the Darran Mountain Range.Small ponds of water in the alpine vegetation along the trail, near Conical Hill.Looking back toward the divide.Lake Harris.The Darran Mountains seen from Conical Hill.The Divide seen from Conical Hill.Lake Harris seen from Conical Hill.Raoulia, seen amongst the alpine vegetation found along the track.A small pond along the track on Conical Hill..The trail with Mount Xenicus in view (on the right).The trail traversing the steep, mountainous edge of Lake Harris.Lake Harris and Mount Xenicus (right).Closeup of a hebe – an alpine plant.The terrain between Lake Harris and Routeburn Falls Hut.Continuing along the alpine terrain toward Routeburn Falls Hut.Hiking alongside a creek with Mount Momus in view.Routeburn Flats, seen from Routeburn Falls Hut.Mount Momus and Routeburn Flats seen from the trail in the early morning.Looking up at the sky from the trail.Hiking in Routeburn Flats.A suspension bridge over the Route Burn (the river that the track is obviously named after).The trail passing through the woods.Looking down at a cascade.Bridge at the end of the Routeburn Track.View of the Route Burn.View of the mountains and a waterfall from the meadow at the Routeburn Shelter (located at the terminus of the track).
Tongariro Northern Circuit:
Mount Ngauruhoe seen from the start of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, near Whakapapa Village.Crossing a creek with Mount Ruapehu in the background.Looking at the trail from the top of Taranaki Falls.Looking down at Taranaki Falls.Taranaki Falls seen from the trail.A closer view of Mount Ruapehu.Another view of Mount Ngauruhoe.A cloud sweeping past the trail with Mount Ngauruhoe behind it.Mount Ruapehu with Lower Tama Lake in view.Upper Tama Lake with Mount Ngauruhoe in view.View of Mount Ruapehu and Lower Tama Lake, seen from Upper Tama Lake.Crossing a stream on the trail.The trail following alongside the stream.A bush with small pink flowers.Another view of Mount Ruapehu from the track.Creek near Waihohonu Hut.Mount Ngauruhoe seen near sunset.Mount Ngauruhoe in the morning.The martian-like landscape on the eastern side of Mount Ngauruhoe.Rugged bluffs to the east of the trail.Looking back at the desolate landscape during the ascent toward Emerald Lakes.Sign warning hikers not to stop due to danger of “volcanic flying rock.”Looking back, toward the southeast, from Emerald Lakes.One of the Emerald Lakes.The trail to Ketetahi Hut (not part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit) closed off due to increased volcanic activity and two volcanic eruptions that occurred in August and November of 2012.Looking back at one of the Emerald Lakes.On the shore of another Emerald Lake.View of the Emerald Lakes.Mount Ngauruhoe and South Crater in view.The trail on the outer rim of South Crater.Standing on the western edge of South Crater with Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu in view.Another view of Mount Ngauruhoe, seen from the northern end of South Crater.Looking at Mount Ngauruhoe and thinking, “Who needs Rekall? This is what blue skies on Mars would look like.”Looking north from Mount Tongariro.Mount Ngauruhoe seen from the bottom of South Crater.Water falling from Soda Springs.Yet another view of Mount Ngauruhoe.The sun setting on the trail (near Mangatepopo Hut).Hiking back toward Mount Ngauruhoe (I left my backpack at Mangatepopo Hut so that I could hike to the top of Mount Ngauruhoe before then returning and finishing the trail).Approaching Mount Ngauruhoe.Looking at South Crater from Mount Ngauruhoe.At the top of Mount Ngauruhoe with the crater and Mount Ruapehu visible.Looking down at South Crater from the top of Mount Ngauruhoe (notice the trail cutting right through the crater), with Blue Lake visible in the distance.Hiking back to Mangatepopo Hut.Mount Pukekalklore with the edge of Mount Ngauruhoe barely visible on the left (nearing Mangatepopo Hut).Back on the trail proper (reunited with my backpack), looking at Mount Ruapehu whilst hiking toward Whakapapa Village (the end of the track).One last view of Mount Ngauruhoe, seen near the end of the Tongariro Northern Circuit (near Whakapapa Village).
Rakiura Track:
The beach at Oban, Stewart Island (in Māori, the island is called “Rakiura”).Lee Bay, at the northern end of the Rakiura Track.Te Puka – the anchorstone; a sculpture based on a Māori creation story where Stewart Island acts as an anchor for the South Island (there is a similar sculpture in Bluff at the end of the South Island).The northern coast of Stewart Island.Set of steps on the trail.A piece of the trail on the Rakiura Track.Ferns alongside the trail.Overlooking a beach on the northern coast of the island.A small island and Port William Bay in the distance.More of the track.A creek streaming out to Māori Beach.Māori Beach.The trail continuing through the island’s rainforest.Morning view of the pier at Port William Hut.A kiwi (the national bird of New Zealand) on the trail in the early morning.An abandoned log hauler (also known as a “steam winch”) along the trail; these stationary machines would pull logs attached to ropes or cables for timber milling.A footbridge on the trail.A creek rushing under the Rakiura Track.The dense, moss-covered verdure of the rainforest.Trees towering over the trail.More lush green – and wet – vegetation.The trail passing by a small stream.A small stream passing underneath the fronds of rough tree ferns.Descending steps and a bridge on the trail.Hiking through rough tree ferns.A view of North Arm and the center (roughly) of Stewart Island.North Arm, seen from North Arm Hut.A small bridge with Stewart Island’s inlet in the background.Reflection of the morning sky in an all but still creek.looking out at Kidney Fern Arm.More rough tree ferns along the trail.The sun peering through tree branches hanging over a creek (north of Kaipipi Bay).Mill Creek along the Fern Gully Track (a short track at the southern end of the Rakiura Track).Stream with rough tree ferns overhead.The Fern Gully Track cutting through a mound of earth.
Kepler Track:
Rough tree ferns on the Kepler Track.A toadstool along the trail.The trail gently ascending through ferns and trees.A log covered with fungi.Moss covering the ground on both sides of the trail.View of Te Anau and the surrounding countryside, seen through an opening in the trees.Limestone bluffs along the trail.View of Lake Te Anau above the treeline.The trail passing through alpine tussock grasslands, above the treeline.The Murchison Mountains on the north side of the South Fiord of Lake Te Anau.Inside Luxmore Cave, looking back at the entrance.Walking through Luxmore Cave.View of Luxmore Hut, the South Fiord of Lake Te Anau, and the Murchison Mountains on the other side.The trail leading up toward Mount Luxmore.The South Fiord of Lake Te Anau and a cloudy sky.Forward Peak (on the left) and the South Fiord.A slug on Mount Luxmore.On top of Mount Luxmore, looking west at the trail.The Jackson Peaks, seen from the top of Mount Luxmore.Back on the Kepler Track, looking back at Mount Luxmore.Hiking through a cloud.Some of the fragile plant life found in the Fiordland’s alpine environment.Forward Peak (on the right) and the South Fiord.A stream flowing down from the Jackson Peaks.The Kepler Mountains seen from the trail on the ridgeline.The Kepler Track following the ridgeline.Looking back (toward the east) on the Kepler Track.Mount Tinsley (the peak on the right).The trail with the Kepler Mountains in the background.The trail just before descending below the treeline.Back in the woods.The trail continuing through the woods.A stream with ferns and moss covered rocks and trees.The trail on the edge of the Hanging Valley Stream (a tributary of the Iris Burn River).Iris Burn Waterfall.Morning view with mist, seen from Iris Burn Hut.The trail in the Iris Burn Valley.Looking at a narrow waterfall in the Iris Burn Valley.A stream covered with some unidentified substance.Looking back (northwesterly) in the Iris Burn Valley.Fungi found on the forest floor.The Iris Burn River.A South Island robin.The sun shining through the forest.Lake Manapouri with the Hunter Mountains on the far side.Lake Manapouri seen from the beach at Moturau Hut.Lake Manapouri at night with the constellation Orion (seen upturned in the Southern Hemisphere).Lake Manapouri in the morning.Mossy forest in the morning light.A short side-trail boardwalk in to the Kepler marshes.A small lake in the Kepler marshland.The Waiau River.A short boardwalk section of the Kepler Track passing through a fern forest.A small stream in the woods.The trail on the edge of a short spur.Lake Te Anau, seen from the Lakeside Track (the trail that connects the Kepler Track to the town of Te Anau).
Lake Waikaremoana Track:
Lake Kiriopukae, a small lake located just south of Lake Waikaremoana, near the Onepoto Bay start of the Lake Waikaremoana track.Lake Waikaremoana track, climbing up the ridge of Panekire Range.Overlook of Lake Waikaremoana and the Panekire Range.Climbing up another portion of the trail, through ferns and trees.Hiking through mossy trees on the trail.Another view of Lake Waikaremoana from the trail.Looking east from the track, at Lake Waikaremoana and the cliffs on the Panekire Range.Dead trees along a side trail on the Panekire Range.View of the Panekire Range.Another view of Lake Waikaremoana.Looking east, toward the Pacific Ocean (not really visible in this photograph).View of Lake Waikaremoana from the track.View of Lake Waikaremoana at sunset, from Panekire Hut.The trail along Panekire Range in the early morning.Moss covered trees in the early morning light.A smiley face carved into a sawn log, found along the trail.Looking back at Lake Waikaremoana from the western end of Panekire Range.Foxglove flowers found along the trail.Two black swans near the shore of Lake Waikaremoana.Hikers’ footprints, dried in the mud, along the track by the lake.Steel cable used to help hikers cross Korokoro Stream, on their way to Korokoro Falls.Korokoro Falls.Another view of Korokoro Falls.Panekire Range seen in the distance, from an inlet along the trail.Swing bridge on the trail.Tree fern covered with numerous dead fronds.Looking back at Panekire Range on the opposite end of Lake Waikaremoana.Small plants found on the forest floor.Tree ferns and a small stream.Marauiti Hut, seen at the other end of the meadow.Lake Waikaremoana during the misty morn.Looking back at Marauiti Hut from the trail during the early morning.Closeup of the needles on a New Zealand podocarp tree.A family of black swans.Swing bridge over an inlet.Mānuka flowers (Leptospermum scoparium), which bees use to make mānuka honey – an expensive honey sold in New Zealand and Australia which supposely has antibacterial properties if consumed.Hiking under the tree ferns on the trail.Part of the trail shortly after passing by Whanganui Hut.A waterfall on Lake Waikaremoana – seeen during my water taxi ride across the lake.Panekire Range, seen from the water taxi on Lake Waikaremoana.One of the massive boulders along the Onepoto Caves hike (a separate trail from the track (i.e. not part of the “Great Walk”), but still on Lake Waikaremoana.Looking at the Panekire Range from the Onepoto Caves trail.Large boulder on the Onepoto Caves trail.Looking out from one of the Onepoto “caves” – not really caves, just spaces between boulders and earth (the boulders came crashing down 2,200 years ago during a massive landslide which created Lake Waikaremoana).
Heaphy Track:
Bridge over the Kohaihai River, near the south/west end of the Heaphy Track.Kohaihai River flowing into the Tasman Sea.Scotts Beach, seen from Kohaihai Bluff.Hiking the Heaphy Track through a nikau palm forest.Scotts Beach with Kohaihai Bluff at the end.Another view of Kohaihai Bluff, seen from Scotts Beach.Nikau palms along the trail.Looking south from the northern end of Scotts Beach.Heaphy Track along the coast with Big Rock Beach in view.Horokaka (or “Maori ice plant”) flowers.Another view of Big Rock Beach.More nikau palms along the trail.Passing by Swan Burn at the northern end of Big Rock Beach.Trail just south of Twin Beach.Nettle Beach.Heaphy Beach.Wildflowers along the trail near Heaphy Beach and Heaphy Hut and Campsite.Early morning at the Heaphy River.Hiking eastward, alongside the Heaphy River.Passing under palm trees.Weka on the trail.Forest of tree ferns.Trail passing through more tree ferns.Gunner River passing between two bluffs.Looking up at a big rata tree.Dawsonia superba, the tallest self-supporting moss in the world.Hiking through more forest.Sphagnum moss.Trail ascending through a forest.Trees on the ridge near James Mackay Hut and Campsite.Carved stump on the trail, near James Mackay Hut.View from Otepo – the high point next to James Mackay Hut.Watching the sunset from James Mackay Campsite.Trail cutting through red tussocks.Mountain daisy.Boardwalk on the Heaphy Track.Trail ascending through more mossy trees.Blue Duck Creek.Purple flowers along the trail.View of Gouland Downs.Close-up of lichen found along the Heaphy Track.Trail passing through Gouland Downs.Crossing the Big River in Gouland Downs.Moss-covered rocks in the forest.Bridge over Cave Brook.Cave Brook, viewed from the bridge.Bird’s Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).Trail toward the eastern end of Gouland Downs.“Boot Pole Corner,” which has a pole for hikers to hang their worn-out boots (as well as some others that have no business being on the trail).Looking northward from the eastern edge of Gouland Downs.Looking east from Perry Saddle at the mountains on the far side of the Aorere River Valley.Densely wooded portion of the trail.View of the Aorere River Valley.South Island robin.Tree ferns and regular ferns flanking both sides of the trail.Looking up at some tall tree ferns.Brown River.Manuka flowers.Heaphy Track near Brown Hut.Brown River, seen from Brown Hut, which is at the east/north end of the Heaphy Track.
Abel Tasman Coast Track:
Takapou Bay, which is at the west end of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.Dried-up tree branches propped up on Whariwharangi Bay Beach.Kayak on Whariwharangi Bay Beach.Viewing Whariwharangi Bay from the trail.Anatakapau Bay seen from the Separation Point Track (a short side-trail off the Abel Tasman Coast Track).Separation Point.Looking west from Separation Point.Beach at Mutton Cove with Anatakapau Bay to the left.Pied shag perched on a tree branch.Variable oystercatchers on the beach.Looking north on Mutton Cove.Viewing Anatakapau Bay and Separation Point from the trail.Beach at Anapai Bay with Separation Point in the distance.Pink flower near the beach.Stream near Anapai Bay Campsite.Rocks at the north end of Anapai Bay Beach.View from the trail, near the northern end of Tōtaranui.Pukeko.Tōtaranui Beach.Tōtaranui Beach seen from the lookout at the south end.Tree ferns along the trail near Skinner Point.Variable oystercatcher wading in Goat Bay.Beach at Goat Bay.Stream near Waiharakeke Bay.Trail through the woods, somewhere between Waiharakeke Bay and Awaroa Inlet.Low tide crossing through Awaroa Inlet.Awaroa Bay.Boardwalk near Venture Creek.View of Awaroa Inlet and Bay, as well as the airstrip near the small village there.Trail in the woods, near Tonga Saddle.Richardson Stream, viewed near Onetahuti Beach.Boardwalk through the scrub near Onetahuti Beach.Close-up of some type of fruit found along he trail.Onetahuti Beach.Trail near Tonga Quarry.Seal resting in the water at Tonga Quarry.Tonga Quarry in the morning.Trail to the south of Tonga Quarry.Bark Bay.Bridge over Waterfall Creek.Waterfall Creek flowing toward Bark Bay Beach.Huffam Stream flowing toward Bark Bay Beach.Kayaks on Bark Bay Beach.Medlands Beach.Maori sculpture near Medlands Beach.Trail ascending near South Head.View of Sandfly Bay.California quail near Torrent Bay; as the name suggests, this quail was introduced to New Zealand, originally as a game bird.Looking at the estuary at Torrent Bay in the morning.Grey duck.Sun rising over the estuary at Torrent Bay.Trail passing through some tree ferns.Natural water slide at Cleopatra’s Pool.Sun shining through the tree fern canopy.Weka on the trail looking for handouts.Boats anchored in “The Anchorage,” which is in the south of Torrent Bay.Trail along the coast of Stilwell Bay.Looking out at Sandy Bay, from the beach that lies west of Tinline Bay.Beach along Sandy Bay at low tide.Another view of exposed beach during low tide at Sandy Bay.Boardwalk near the east end of the Abel Tasman Coast Track at Marahau.Man walking across the low tide area of Sandy Bay near the east end of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Additional Travels in New Zealand:
Giant Takahe statue in Te Anau.Riding in a Skyline Queenstown gondola, up to Bob’s Peak.Luge on Bob’s Peak.View of Queenstown from Bob’s Peak.Man sleeping in on Queenstown Beach.Pond in Queenstown Gardens.Willow tree next to the pond in Queenstown Gardens.Vineyard in Otago.Groups of people gathering in the park for some late evening drinking in Queenstown.Queenstown Beach at night.Southern Cross.Re:START Mall – outdoor shopping mall made with shipping containers as a response to the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, which destroyed most buildings in City Mall.Bridge of Remembrance – a memorial to those that died in World War I.Grey duck.Avon River in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.Scarecrow in the botanic gardens.New Zealand World Peace Bell, a replica of the one given to Japan by the United Nations.Pond in Christchurch Botanic Gardens.Looking up at the giant sequoia tree in the botanic gardens.Roses.Rose garden in Christchurch Botanic Gardens.Another view of the rose garden.Greyhound race at Addington Raceway in Christchurch.Greyhounds taking off at the start of another race.St. James Church in Riccarton.‘185 empty chairs’ – an unofficial memorial for the 185 individuals who died in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.Inside the Cardboard Cathedral (also known as “the Transitional Cathedral”); made of cardboard, wood, and glass, this cathedral was built as a temporary house of worship after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.Exterior of the Cardboard Cathedral.Large mural on the side of a building in Christchurch.Old Central Post Office building in Christchurch.ChristChurch Cathedral, which was severely damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.‘Chapman’s Homer’ by Michael Parekowhai (2011 AD) – inside the Christchurch Art Gallery.Double-decker bus in Christchurch.Room inside ‘Fred and Myrtle’s Paua Shell House’ – a residence that was originally in Bluff, but now is inside the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch.Boat sheds on the Avon River in Christchurch.Akaroa Harbor in the Banks Peninsula.Looking back at Akaroa on a trail.View of Akaroa Harbor and surrounding mountains on the Banks Peninsula.View of the Pacific Ocean, from Banks Peninsula.Following a grassy trail on the peninsula.Another view of Akaroa Harbor.One last view of Akaroa Harbor, which is one of the major inlets in the Banks Peninsula.The Great Kiwi Beer Festival in Hagley Park, Christchurch.Cup of craft beer, ready to be downed.Train station in Dunedin.First Presbyterian Church of Invercargill.Roundabout with memorial and clock in Invercargill.Grand Hotel and some other early 20th-century AD buildings on Dee Street in Invercargill.Burt Munro’s “other bike” (i.e. not the “World’s Fastest Indian”) – a 1936 MSS 500 cc Velocette modified to 650 cc and fueled by methanol; the bike has been timed at 138 mph and has done a standing quarter mile in 12.3 seconds.Close-up of the design on Burt Munro’s motorcycle.Invercargill Cenotaph – a memorial to those that died in World War I and other overseas conflicts.Stream in Queens Park, Invercargill.Japanese garden in Queens Park.Invercargill Water Tower.Town Hall and Theater of Invercargill, which was built in 1906 AD – most appropriate to mix politics and theater in the same building, don’t you think?Boat journey on Lake Te Anau, heading to the glow worm caves.Impressionist photo of the shoreline on Lake Te Anau.Sailboat anchored in Lake Te Anau.Snow-capped Mount Taranaki, as well as snow-capped Mounts Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu in the distance (on the North Island, but seen on a flight to Christchurch).Southern Alps with Kaikōura Peninsula visible on the coast.Christchurch and the surrounding farmland.Picton Harbor.View of the harbor on the Picton Harbor View Track.Looking back on the trail, toward Picton.Picton Marina.Looking back toward Picton Harbor in Queen Charlotte Sound, whilst traveling to Wellington on the Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry.Sun shining down on Queen Charlotte Sound.Couple of islands in the sound.Coast in Queen Charlotte Sound.Rocky islands that separate Cook Strait (on the left) and Queen Charlotte Sound (on the right).Approaching Wellington on the Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry.Wellington seen from Lambton Harbor.Seal at Cape Palliser.Some more seals at Cape Palliser.Steps leading up to Cape Palliser Lighthouse.Lighthouse at Cape Palliser.Wildflowers at Cape Palliser.Trail at Putangirua Pinnacles.View of Putangirua Pinnacles.Some more pinnacles seen from the trail.Approaching some of the pinnacles.Hiking through Putangirua Pinnacles.Another view of the pinnacles.Some more towering pinnacles.One more view of Putangirua Pinnacles.Sheep grazing in a field near Castlepoint.Castlepoint Beach.On the trail to the lighthouse at Castlepoint.Castlepoint Lighthouse.Castle Rock.Looking at the coast south of Castle Rock.Napier Beach.Marine Parade viewing platform in Napier.Looking out from the Art Deco Masonic Hotel in Napier.More Art Deco buildings in Napier – after the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, most of the city was leveled, so it was rebuilt in Art Deco style, which was popular at the time.Even more Art Deco buildings found on Hastings Street.Colorful wooden buildings on Marine Parade in Napier.Hiking on the trail to Mount Holdsworth.View from Mount Holdsworth.View from the Mt. Holdsworth – Jumbo Circuit trail.Wildflowers on the trail.Back below the tree line on the Mt. Holdsworth – Jumbo Circuit.Tributary to the Waingawa River, seen on the Mt. Holdsworth – Jumbo Circuit.Dominion Observatory in Wellington.Artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus) in Wellington Botanic Garden.“The Beehive” – the Executive Wing of New Zealand Parliament Buildings, which was opened in 1977 AD, although completed four years later.National War Memorial in Wellington.Closer view of the National War Memorial.Dominion Museum, which houses “The Great War Exhibition.”British Webley revolver with bayonet and stock – on display inside “The Great War Exhibition.”Replica of the U.S. Model 8 experimental helmet; although produced in 1918 AD, none of these helmets saw combat.Model depicting trench warfare.Diorama featuring a World War I biplane; Peter Jackson created this exhibition in the Dominion Museum and the biplane is from his personal collection.Diorama depicting trench warfare with a man using a periscope to sight the enemy.Diorama with a wounded soldier.Colored photographs of the ANZACS at Gallipoli – part of “The Great War Exhibition.”One of the giant figures created by Weta Workshop for the “Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War” exhibition at the Museum of New Zealand (also known as “Te Papa”).Another giant diorama created for the “Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War” exhibition.View of Wellington, from Te Papa.Wellington Sevens (or “New Zealand Sevens”) – the annual rugby sevens tournament in Westpac Stadium in Wellington.Another game at the Wellington Sevens.Colorful “Year of the Rooster” decorations on display for the Lunar New Year Festival in Wellington.Dreamcatcher at Breaker Bay.Natural arch at Breaker Bay Beach in Wellington.Frost on a leaf – seen on the Peak Hill Track next to Lake Coleridge.Southeastern end of Lake Coleridge – under the clouds.Hiking through the clouds to Peak Hill.Above the clouds and looking at the rainbow around the shadow of my head on the cloud.Clouds covering Lake Coleridge.More of the clouds blanketing the area around Lake Coleridge.View from Peak Hill; just imagine the clouds are dense ice and this is similar to what the view would have looked like during the Last Glacial Maximum.Sun shining down on the clouds.Looking back at the trail that leads up to Peak Hill.Sheep grazing near Castle Hill.Limestone boulders on Castle Hill.Natural arch in the limestone.Another view of the massive boulders at Castle Hill.More boulders.One last view of Castle Hill.Broken River, near where Cave Stream joins the river.South entrance to the cave, where Cave Stream flows out.Cave Stream at the north entrance to the cave.North entrance, where Cave Stream enters the cave.Forest in Craigieburn Valley dusted with snow.Hiking through the woods in Craigieburn Valley.Trail covered with snow.View of Craigieburn Valley from the trail.Rocks on the mountainside partially covered with snow.Looking down the valley.Snow and green moss.Looking up the valley.Another part of the trail in Craigieburn Valley.Continuing on the trail with a light-covering of snow all around.Another view of Craigieburn Valley in the winter.Sumner Beach, near Christchurch.Southern end of Taylors Mistake Beach.Cliffs at Taylors Mistake.Looking back at Taylors Mistake on the trail to Godley Head.Cross with Tibetan prayer flags.Remains of a coastal defense position on Godley Head – part of a military base built in 1939 AD.Buildings leftover from the military base that was once on Godley Head.Sun setting on Sumner Beach.Looking out the window in the Beach Bar at Sumner Beach.If you gaze long enough into the wine, the wine will gaze back into you.Hurunui River near Lake Sumner, seen while hiking on the Jollie Brook Circuit.Gabriel Stream.Jollie Brook with yellow broom bushes in bloom.Another view of Jollie Brook with yellow broom bushes.Overlook of Jollie Brook.Another view of Jollie Brook from the trail.Nearing the end of the Jollie Brook Circuit trail, with Hurunui River in view.Viaduct Basin in Auckland.Silos next to Silo Marina.Looking up at Sky Tower, which stands 328 meters tall and was built in 1997 AD.‘Saint Andrea Corsini’ by Giovan Francesco Barbieri (1630 AD); the painting was shot by a soldier during World War II while it was in Italy, but now it is displayed in the Auckland Art Gallery.‘The Execution of Savonarola and Two Companions at Piazza della Signoria’ by a Florentine painter after Francesco Rosselli (16th- to 17th-century AD).‘For of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven’ by Frank Bramley (1891 AD).‘The Obliteration Room’ by Yayoi Kusama – an interactive art installation in Auckland Art Gallery where visitors are given colorful dots to stick anywhere they please.Auckland Town Hall, which was built in 1911 AD.Sir Paul McCartney performing in Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland.Another blurry photo of Paul McCartney performing in Auckland.View of Auckland from Mount Eden, which is a dormant cone volcano.Mount Eden’s crater.Palm trees near Pancake Rocks.Some of the rock formations at Pancake Rocks.Another view of Pancake Rocks with the Tasman Sea behind them.Looking south at New Zealand’s west coast from Pancake Rocks.Watching the waves crash against Pancake Rocks.Looking northward from Pancake Rocks.Franz Josef Glacier.Franz Josef Glacier with the Waiho River.Closer view of Franz Josef Glacier.Looking back at Franz Josef Glacier.Hiking on the River Walk Lookout Track to see Fox Glacier.View of Fox Glacier.Boardwalk next to the dunes on Ship Creek Beach.Dead wood on Ship Creek Beach.Lake Wānaka, seen from the trail to Roys Peak.View of Bishops Bay from Roys Peak.Looking back at Wanaka from Roys Peak.Sheep checking me out on the descent from Roys Peak.Lake Hawea, seen on the trail to Isthmus Peak.Another view of Lake Hawea from the trail to Isthmus Peak.Trail to Isthmus Peak.Looking at the northern end of Lake Wānaka from Isthmus Peak.Looking at the southern end of Lake Wānaka from Isthmus Peak.Another view of the southern end of Lake Wānaka.Returning to Lake Hawea.Sheep grazing near the trail.Sun shining down on the Isthmus Peak trail.Trail on Quail Island – an island in Lyttelton Harbor (the other major inlet in the Banks Peninsula).Cliffs on Quail Island.Skeleton of a ship off of Quail Island.Looking down at a slender strip of beach on Quail Island.Dock in disrepair on Quail Island.Waterfall on Avalanche Peak Track in Arthur’s Pass National Park.View of Arthur’s Pass from the trail.Approaching the summit of Avalanche Peak.View of Crow River Valley from Avalanche Peak.Glacier on Mount Rolleston.Looking southeast at the Bealey River Valley.Looking across the valley at Devils Punchbowl Waterfall, seen during the descent from Avalanche Peak on Scotts Track.Kea stealing someone’s unfinished meal in Arthur’s Pass Village.Looking eastward at the Waimakariri River from the Bealey Spur Track.Another view from the Bealey Spur Track.Looking westward at the Waimakariri River.View of the mountains to the south of the Bealey Spur Track.Returning east on the Bealey Spur Track.Returning to Cave Stream in the summer (when the water is not as cold) to enter through the southern opening and wade through the cave.Only a short distance inside the cave – my shoes are still dry.In the cave, wading through mostly knee-deep water (there was only one waist-deep pool, which was the deepest section in the cave); also, the water isn’t too cold and I’m comfortably wearing swim trunks on this journey.Further into the cave, relying on my headlamp for light and my GoPro camera to document this trek.Another part of the cave as I make my way to the northern opening.Short waterfall to climb up on Cave Stream.Climbing up out of the stream near the end of this trek; it took me approximately 30 minutes to wade through Cave Stream from the southern opening to the northern opening.The northern opening to this 594-meter long cave that has been carved out by Cave Stream over the years.Roger Waters on stage in Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.Roger Waters singing a classic Pink Floyd tune.Pig balloon floating over the crowd at Forsyth Barr Stadium.74-year old man rocking like he’s a 19-year old punk (black t-shirt, jeans, and all).Lake Rotoiti, seen from the Mt. Roberts Circuit trail in Nelson Lakes National Park.Looking westward at the Buller River Valley.Hiking on the Mt. Roberts Circuit.View of Lake Rotoiti from a high point on the trail.Another view of Lake Rotoiti from the Mt. Roberts Circuit.Gibraltar Rock in the Omahu Bush Reserve on the Banks Peninsula.View from Gibraltar Rock, looking toward Lincoln and the Canterbury Plains.Stream on the trail to Gibraltar Rock.View of Lyttelton Harbor with the town of Lyttelton and Quail Island visible.Skiing on Coronet Peak and looking toward Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.Another view of the valley and Lake Wakatipu from Coronet Peak.Looking up at Coronet Peak and being blinded by the sun.The Remarkables Ski Area.Ski lift in the Remarkables.Piste in the Remarkables.Riding the Shadow Basin ski lift.Skiing back down to the base in the Remarkables Ski Area.Skiing on Mount Hutt.View of the Canterbury Plains from Mount Hutt.Looking west at the Southern Alps, from Mount Hutt.Dull rainbow in the encroaching cloud.Clouds covering the Mount Hutt Ski Area.Hiking on Mount Somers Track – the beginning of a beautiful day.Canterbury Plains, seen from the trail.Looking up at Mount Somers.Mountain range to the west of Mount Somers.Watching the moonrise on Mount Somers Track.Part of the Rangitata River near Mount Sunday.View of the river, a swing-bridge, and Mount Sunday (although, it’s really more of a rocky hill).Looking northwest toward the two valleys.Another part of the Rangitata River, which begins where the two valleys intersect – where Havelock River (left) meets Clyde River (right).Looking toward Havelock River Valley from Mount Sunday.View of the where the valleys meet, seen from Mount Sunday.Looking toward Clyde River Valley from Mount Sunday.Potts River, seen from the trailhead off of Hakatere Potts Road.Lake Clearwater – a town that appears to be abandoned in the winter.View of Lake Clearwater, with the twin peaks of Mount Potts in the center.Lake Heron.View of Hanmer Springs from Mount Isobel Track.Dog Stream Waterfall – seen while hiking Mount Isobel Track.Fox Glacier.Fox River.Franz Josef Glacier (revisited).Trident Creek Falls.Closer view of Franz Josef Glacier.View of Franz Josef Glacier from the observation deck on Sentinel Rock.Peters Pool – near the car park for the Franz Josef Glacier Walk.Coal Creek Falls, near the town of Runanga.Beach to the south of Pancake Rocks.Flora around Pancake Rocks.Looking south from Pancake Rocks.Another view of Pancake Rocks and the west coast of New Zealand.Walking on the beach south of Pancake Rocks in the evening.Mueller Lake, seen from the Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.Swing-bridge on the Hooker Valley Track.Hooker River, seen between Hooker Lake into Mueller Lake.Hooker Lake with Mount Cook in the distance.Another swing-bridge on the Hooker Valley Track.Looking southeast from Mueller Lake on the Hooker Valley Track with the turquoise-colored Lake Pukaki in the far distance.Lavender farm on the west coast of Lake Pukaki (and north of Ben Ohau).View of Lake Wānaka from Rippon Vineyards.Helicopter ride through the Matukituki River Valley, heading north to Mount Aspiring.Further up the Matukituki River.Flying up the Matukituki East Branch Valley.Looking south at the Matukituki River Valley.Creek up in the mountains, near Albert Burn Saddle.Another photo of the Matukituki River Valley.Waiting in a field in the valley for the cloud coverage to clear so the helicopter can land on the mountain for our hike.This is honestly how I’d like to go – to be nourishment for millions of microbes and whatever macro-fauna stops by to join in the feeding frenzy (i.e. give back to the earth with my life; not be embalmed with toxic chemicals or cremated to add to the greenhouse gases).Helicopter dropping off more hikers near Whare Kea Chalet.Ponds on the mountain.Whare Kea Chalet on the mountain.Looking toward Mount Aspiring on the other side of the valley.Descending the mountainside.Looking northward, up the Matukituki East Branch, toward Mount Pollux.Looking southward at the Matukituki East Branch (toward where it meets the West Branch to form the Matukituki River).Looking at Mount Aspiring (the tallest peak) and the Kitchener River Valley.Another view looking southward down the Matukituki East Branch Valley.Closer view of the Kitchener River Valley.My tent with Mount Aspiring in the background.Hiking through the woods, descending toward the Matukituki East Branch.Matukituki East Branch.Another view of the Matukituki East Branch.Cable bridge over the cascades.Walking across the cable bridge.Looking upstream at the cascades.Looking up, toward the mountains I had just hiked down from.Small beach on the Matukituki East Branch.Hiking through the forest.Cows in the southern end of the Matukituki East Branch Valley.Herd of sheep feasting on the Matukituki East Branch Valley.Church of the Good Shepherd at the southern end of Lake Tekapo.Trail through Bannockburn Sluicings Historic Reserve.View of the sluicings from the southwest.Sun setting over the Bannockburn Sluicings.Sunset over Lake Dunstan and Bannockburn.Vineyards at Cornish Point, near Cromwell.Skiing at Cardrona Alpine Resort.Skiing down to the base at Cardrona Alpine Resort.Looking back at a ski lift on Cardrona.View of Arrow River Valley, with Lake Wakatipu in the far distance.Looking northward, up Cardrona Valley, toward Wanaka.Looking across Cardrona Valley, near a ski lift.That tree in Lake Wānaka that everyone takes a photograph of.Wanaka and Lake Wānaka, seen from Wanaka Hill.Return to the Bannockburn Sluicings Historic Reserve.Some dead stalks in the sluicings.Trail through the sluicings, which were carved out by high-pressure water in an effort to find gold.Looking down on the Bannockburn Sluicings from a vantage point.Felton Road Vineyard on the left and Domain Road Vineyard on the right.Abandoned stone hut in what used to be Stewart Town – the mining town next to the Bannockburn Sluicings.View of Lake Wānaka from the Treble Cone Ski Area.Piste and ski lift at Treble Cone.Mountains around Treble Cone.Skiing back down to a lift station at Treble Cone Ski Area.Lake Wakatipu, seen from Queenstown Beach.Auckland Harbour Bridge at night.Beach on Rabbit Island.Inlet near Rough Island.Auckland Airport’s International Terminal – nearly empty during the early period of the COVID-19 hysteria.Another nearly empty part of Auckland Airport’s International Terminal.
