Ahhh....Summer is Great

[niftinfiftin]

Summer is here, well and truly, and I'm loving it! Although not extremely hot, like you poor, poor Australians, it is comfortable, around 25-32oC. I'm going to give you a few pictures of my recent trip over to the Golden Bay (see map) area of NZ.

This is a truly beautiful area, full of History, fascinating landscapes, and friendly people.

First, a basic history lesson for you. Golden Bay was the sight of the first European visit to New Zealand, when Dutchman Abel Tasman came in 1642. Around four of his men were killed by the understandably hostile native Maori tribes, so this area was originally named Murders Bay by him.

It then progresses a few years to the mid 1800's when the gold rush took hold, hence the current name. Gold was discovered all over this area and the population swelled overwhelmingly. This gold rush carried on until about 1890, when other industries took over. The most prolific was Coal, where large seams were found in the upper Takaka region. As with most things, this too finished around 1974.

Tourism has now taken over, and as well as farming, are the major industries. Holiday makers are abundant in the summer months, and the beautiful beaches attract thousands of people.

So to warm you Northern Hemispherians up, enjoy these pics. And any other willing holiday makers, feel free to add your own pictures of your summer.

[niftinfiftin]

Right to start off, here is camp ground where we stayed, at Puponga Beach, the northern-most settlement in the South Island.

Edited January 28, 2009 by niftinfiftin

[niftinfiftin]

Right, now onto a beach, this is Wharariki Beach, an incredibly rugged, beautiful and remote beach, only reached by a 20 minute walk over farmland.

[niftinfiftin]

Looking over Beach. Just to let you know, there was a gale force wind blowing, and there was sand everywhere!

[niftinfiftin]

Wind Blown Trees

The Beach, sand dunes and all!

[niftinfiftin]

Edited January 28, 2009 by niftinfiftin

[niftinfiftin]

Sea Cave

And for an extra treat, look what was hiding in the bush! Nikaus! These must be extremely hardy to be able to withstand the constant battering of the sand, wind, and sea.

[niftinfiftin]

More Nikau

[niftinfiftin]

Moving on now to the Kaihoka lakes, in inland Northern Golden Bay.

[niftinfiftin]

Into the lake area, abundant nikaus

Sorry for the bad light

[niftinfiftin]

More

[niftinfiftin]

Again, these palms were beautiful, very thick and robust, with large leaflets.

[niftinfiftin]

Look at this mumma crown shaft!

That's it I'm afraid, I hope you enjoyed it, and again, feel free to post your own pictures!

Regards,

Nathan

[freakypalmguy]

Wow! All of your pics look like paintings. Awesome stuff, thank you.

Matt

[Jeff in St Pete]

Nathan, thanks for the photos. Those Rhopalostylis are beautiful palms, and that huge crownshaft....WOW!

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Great photos Nathan! It is a very foreign terrain to me. The windblown rock formations were spectacular and I particularly enjoyed seeing the palms in habitat.

Uhm... I can't not ask, do you know how Tata Beach got it's name?

[niftinfiftin]

Great photos Nathan! It is a very foreign terrain to me. The windblown rock formations were spectacular and I particularly enjoyed seeing the palms in habitat.

Uhm... I can't not ask, do you know how Tata Beach got it's name?

William, I am not exactly sure of the origin of the name, but it is a Maori name. Most of these beaches/headlands have had extensive Maori Pa sites (fortresses). The closest english translation to Tata is 'about'. It may have something to do with the Ngati Toa tribes attack, led by Te Rauparaha, off the southern settlements in the 1820's. When the Europeans began to settle, they brought muskets, which they traded with Maori for land. One North Island tribe took advantage of this trading and decimated tribes around the upper south island, who could not defend themselves against the superior weapons.

The Maori passage "I tata ki waenganui pō ka tae mai rātau" translates to "They arrived at about midnight"

So this could very well have some connection.

I'll have a detailed look for you once I pull out some old books

[_Keith]

What a georgeous place. Took a few minutes to pick myself up off of the floor to reply.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Fascinating, history is so underrated. Thank you.

[paulgila]

amazing shots,simply amazing.

[Gbarce]

You have a beautiful country. Nice to see that even after the "waves of development" and different industries taking hold in the area the natural beauty of your countryside is still intact.

[palmislandRandy]

Beautiful photos of a beautiful country! Thanks for posting them

[BS Man about Palms]

Great stuff. Looks like a commercial for something....

[PalmGuyWC]

Nathan,

Thanks for showing us a beautiful part of the Earth that most of us will never see. Beautiful photographs.

Dick

[amazondk]

Nathan,

Thanks for the pictures. New Zealand will always have a special place in my life. The first time I left the USA in 1971 I went to New Zealand. I lived in the North Island, Whangarei, but did get to the South Island. I was a young guy out to see the world and it was a great place to start. I had a great time there, but never made it back.

dk

[DoomsDave]

Nathan:

Wonderful pictures.

Please post as many more pics of the NZ as you like.

For what it's worth, I'd like to see towns, houses, etc., to see what it's like to live there.

LOVE those Nikau photos . . . .

[_Keith]

The first time I replied to this thread I was taken by the beauty of the place. I also forgot to mention that you are a very talented photographer as well. You really took me there. Thanks again.

[Daryl]

Nathan,

you have a great eye for photography...your photos are very well composed. That looks like very windy, rugged countryside. Are the grassy hills natural, or a result of European settlement?

regards,

Daryl