Dirk & Dixie's New Zealand Adventure 2025

Started out early from Paihia town to Cape Brett's trek via water taxi.  We did a moving landing onto a rock shelf and then ascended a steep trail to a retired lighthouse. From the top of the cape we had an amazing view of the headlands. It  was a hot and exposed hike of 3.5 miles that felt like more---trail often both very steep and very rough, with roots and big steps of mud or rock. The forested part was filled with tree ferns and other unknown plants. Of interest were these possum traps as part of the program to eliminate all invasive animals by 2050.  The possums are marsupials from Australia. The trap is a white plastic killer trap at the bottom of the tree and the red markers indicate the location of all the traps set in this area. Day 4 we headed out late on a commercial trip to Poor Knights Island Marine Preserve--a collection of small islands about 45 minutes boat ride from Tutukaka marina.  Got outfitted with snorkel/mask and full wetsuit---which we defini...

Our Active Adventures Rig for 12 clients and two guides. Here is our group in awe at the second biggest kauri tree. A very large wood pigeon in the Kauri forest. Bird poop helped to  acidify the soil and control the fungus that its now contributing to Kauri die off. Kauri die-off victim. One of the fern trees in the Kauri forest. Disinfecting boots before and after entering the forest. This tree is named. It has been around for thousands of years and is immense.  More than 100 plants live in its canopy.  Some are over 100 years old! Day 2: On the second day of our trip we entered the Wairere Boulder area and saw this  amazing spider with its very attractive beetle dinner. A trek through basalt boulders grooved by acidic water produced by the Kauri forest. The Lookout---end destination of our hike. Looking down at river bed and valley. Waterfalls along Waitangi River--start of hike. Unusual mangrove forest near mouth of river---these mangroves are very different and l...

Our New Zealand Adventure began with an 11 day guided trip on the North Island followed by self-exploration of the South Island in a rented caravan. Although we left Saturday evening and the travel time, including layover, was 19 hours, we arrived in Auckland on Monday at 10 am, due to crossing International Date Line. Sunset in Seattle at 6:00pm departure En route to Auckland from L.A., following  the course of the sun....a slow sunset. A moon over the wing.,.. Daylight finally. Auckland airport tarmac.. New Zealand Air has a cool logo. The entry portal....a tribute to the Maori culture... Biosecurity is a big issue here. Our boots were inspected at customs and we were lauded for having cleaned them. The waterfront is a fusion of the industrial past and new pedestrian, people friendly walkways, bridges, and parks. This is Silo Park. Our dinner featured delicious fresh caught snapper  and a classic lamb cut with modern accompaniments. The iconic Sky Tower of Auckland. Not as c...