First we visited the Lower Nihotupu reservoir. It's a large, peaceful lake and much of the city's water supply cascades serenely down these slopes of the dam.
Then after a bit of trial and error, we ended up at the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir (the Lower vs. Upper designation being the key to reading the map). The trail took us into the rain-forest bush.
Come on, hurry up! This is going to be great!
Oh my. It was truly gorgeous, even just a few steps in.
I just love those tree ferns.
A majority of nature trails ('tracks') in NZ are steep, long, and require a fair level of adult physical fitness to traverse. We sought out Upper Nihotupu because it's only a little over a kilometer, and essentially flat. I figured this would be within the abilities of our little guys and indeed they scampered along happily, looking for faeries and elves in all the thickets.
Although periodically we did need to stop and rest.
But the fact that there were interesting bits of metal lining the trail did keep us moving.
We arrived at a prelude-waterfall.
And then we pressed onward and discovered our own secret magic lagoon.
We ventured yet deeper into the primordial forest. We were fascinated by playing with a vertical moss-covered wall that dripped cold spring water from the cliff above. We caught the drops on our fingertips, and when we leaned our backs up against the soft spongy wall our shirts were immediately soaked. The sudden chill felt amazingly refreshing in the warm humid air.
We took a few more steps, pushed through the branches, and arrived at the falls. It was silent except for the rush of the water. We felt like the only people in the world.
Then after a bit of trial and error, we ended up at the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir (the Lower vs. Upper designation being the key to reading the map). The trail took us into the rain-forest bush.
Come on, hurry up! This is going to be great!
Oh my. It was truly gorgeous, even just a few steps in.
I just love those tree ferns.
A majority of nature trails ('tracks') in NZ are steep, long, and require a fair level of adult physical fitness to traverse. We sought out Upper Nihotupu because it's only a little over a kilometer, and essentially flat. I figured this would be within the abilities of our little guys and indeed they scampered along happily, looking for faeries and elves in all the thickets.
Although periodically we did need to stop and rest.
But the fact that there were interesting bits of metal lining the trail did keep us moving.
We arrived at a prelude-waterfall.
And then we pressed onward and discovered our own secret magic lagoon.
We ventured yet deeper into the primordial forest. We were fascinated by playing with a vertical moss-covered wall that dripped cold spring water from the cliff above. We caught the drops on our fingertips, and when we leaned our backs up against the soft spongy wall our shirts were immediately soaked. The sudden chill felt amazingly refreshing in the warm humid air.
We took a few more steps, pushed through the branches, and arrived at the falls. It was silent except for the rush of the water. We felt like the only people in the world.
9 comments:
Your new theme photo - the lavender lily -is georgeous! Looks like you found this on your walk, too.
Absolutey gorgeous pictures Allie.
Amazing place.
O my! These pictures are absolutely breathtaking! What a glorious place to have an adventure with your little guys!
Those "interesting bits of metal" look like odd sculptures but are sobering reminders of mankind's violent intrusion into a paradise. I pray that 2012 will be peaceful, prosperous and healthy for all of us.
Love you guys!
It is wonderful that you can share such a beautiful place with your boys and with us. Also, it was great exercise to explore it.
How much of an ADVENTURE this really was!! Just the thing little boys love!!! Jason still explores woodsy trails becuz we did it a lot when he was a boy. We found cool stuff too and have not one pic to prove it!!!
I also loved the trees and plants as botany is a thing I love too! Any fossils over there?
Looks like foxglove on current header pic?
Arram has grown so much since the last time I saw him (exactly one year ago). Beautiful trail. Can't wait to visit NZ some day. Btw did you find any hobbits on your hike?
Saima
Auntie Kathie showed me how to view your gorgeous pictures up close and the details I saw make them so much more stunning!
It was only then that I realized that Amiri was in the old fusalage of the plane wreck! (I took it to be WW 2 vinatage.)
Well anyways, he had some great fun in it!
Post a Comment