tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35262305416612587742024-03-19T03:22:31.507-07:00Meghan Maloney PhotographyMeghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-68997870977720880032019-02-09T15:44:00.002-08:002019-11-26T01:22:08.097-08:00So you want to hike NZ's Routeburn Track? Ten tips for an amazing 3-day hikeThinking of walking NZ's Routeburn Track? Here's everything you might need to know and more based on our experience walking from the Divide near Milford Sound (Fiordland) to the Routeburn Shelter (Queenstown) in late January 2019.<br />
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<b>Five Tips to prepare you for hiking the Routeburn Track:</b></h2>
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Tip 1: Book early!</h3>
Book early! <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks" target="_blank">The Great Walk booking system</a> usually comes online in June for the following November-April season. Hut tickets book out VERY quickly so you'll probably need to book THE DAY it opens if you want to walk during the summer months like we did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Rc_I7_LkYBX7p-gd0vbaWFQzPPaIfEtbmYrbrVb9ZrQu8IT2RvZvRSvWme4N_Axp3AYyvCHtgBS-31q86gWc7UFi0mYz4xgoYmdYEh039rgzJB3VoY4pJYobiG3XChWGFntyZG5XOkB/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Rc_I7_LkYBX7p-gd0vbaWFQzPPaIfEtbmYrbrVb9ZrQu8IT2RvZvRSvWme4N_Axp3AYyvCHtgBS-31q86gWc7UFi0mYz4xgoYmdYEh039rgzJB3VoY4pJYobiG3XChWGFntyZG5XOkB/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07765.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>Tip 2: Consider walking the track from The Divide to the Routeburn Shelter</b></h3>
Most people start the Routeburn Track at the Routeburn Shelter end because it's closer to Queenstown. However before we walked we'd heard and read that the views are MUCH better if you walk the other way - and you'll also be walking against the crowds this way too. Plus it means when you finish at the other end it's not far too civilisation and a decent feed back in Queenstown.<br />
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<i>Views on the last morning walking towards the Routeburn Shelter</i></div>
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Tip 3: use transport that suits your trip itinerary</h3>
You can catch buses that stop a few times of the day at either end of the track but because we wanted to spend a night in Milford the night before AND have some flexibility for when we started and finished we used a car relocation service called <a href="https://trackhopper.co.nz/" target="_blank">Trackhopper</a>. They will relocate your car from where you start to where you finish and they were SO easy to deal with - I'd highly recommend this! You need to pick up a lockbox in either Te Anau or Glenorchy and then you leave your keys inside the lockbox padlocked to your car somewhere and it's as easy as that. Otherwise you can use the <a href="http://tracknet.net/routeburn-track/" target="_blank">bus transport</a> if the timetables work for your journey.<br />
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Tip 4: train for walking on steep and uneven terrain and use walking poles</h3>
The <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/southland/routeburn-track-brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Great Walks brochure for the Routeburn Track</a> describes it as an Intermediate/Easier walking track. There are definitely parts of the walk where the path is reasonably wide and easy to walk on. HOWEVER, there are also a lot of areas where you are clambering over loose and slippery rock and the track is pretty narrow so I highly recommend using two walking poles for stability and to reduce the strain on your knees on the downhill.<br />
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I'll admit I didn't do the right kind of training for the walk - I focused on whether I could carry my 10kg pack the distance but didn't do enough training to prepare for the steep sections of downhill. If I did my training all over again I'd do a lot more stair work, squats and steep descents to try and strengthen my upper legs and butt. This meant I found the downhill on Days 2 and 3 incredibly painful as the ITB muscle in behind my knees became excruciating with every downhill step. It would also be worth strapping your knees or wearing a knee brace if you know your knees are likely to cause issues so I'll know that for next time!</div>
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Tip 5: be smart with packing your gear</h3>
Don't pack too much gear! We learnt this the hard way after we ended up with a lot more food than we needed and had to ditch some along the way at one of the huts (shhh don't tell anyone, I'm sure the warden has been having midnight feasts with all our expensive and yummy snacks - doh!). We also took 2 head torches and 2 microfibre towels when we could have gotten away with one. We took a cooker and gas bottle thinking we might need to use it if the huts were busy, and they were full both nights. However, we never ended up having to wait for a space so that was a weight we could have done without. I also took 2 camera lenses but really only used my 16-35mm lens for 90% of the time - so if you can get away with one camera and one lens I highly recommend it!<br />
So what did we pack smartly?<br />
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<li><b>dehydrated meals</b> - these were invaluable for breakfast and dinner, Mark took <a href="https://backcountrycuisine.co.nz/" target="_blank">Back Country Cuisine</a> meals and I used <a href="https://radixnutrition.com/" target="_blank">Radix Nutrition</a> (as I have food intolerances and these are gluten-free and dairy-free). They were super filling and just what we need to fuel us for the long hours of walking ahead and to refuel properly at the other end.</li>
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<li><b>scroggin</b> - although we REALLY over-catered in the snack department - the one snack that proved a winner was good old scroggin. We made up snap-lock bags filled with roasted cashews, roasted almonds, sultanas and M&Ms. The M&Ms were a great treat and the perfect chocolate fix without having to worry about it melting in your pocket during the day</li>
<li><b>a compact cooking set </b>- depending on the size of your group you might be able to get away with a set like the <a href="https://seatosummit.com/product/x-set-11/" target="_blank">X-Set 11 from Sea to Summit</a> - a very smart cooking set which was light as a feather and packed down so small you barely noticed it in the pack - this was enough for 2 of us to heat up our dehydrated meals in minutes, and then make a hot drink with a second boil up. </li>
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<li><b>dry sacks and pack liners </b>- we were pretty lucky it only ever drizzled on the hike but even so it was great to know that none of our gear was going to get wet even if it was torrential - which it was overnight! These <a href="http://atosummit.com/product/ultra-sil-nano-dry-sack/" target="_blank">Sea to Summit dry sacks</a> were great for keeping all our electronics in including my camera and the <a href="https://shop.mountainsafety.org.nz/shop/equipment/pack-liner-2-2" target="_blank">Mountain Safety Council pack liners</a> were added peace of mind that nothing would get wet - my advice is don't rely on a pack cover to keep your gear dry!</li>
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<li><b>a power bank</b> - there's nowhere to charge electronics along the way so if you can charge your phone or camera using a USB connection then these are invaluable</li>
<li><b>a water bladder </b>- keeping hydrated while walking is super important and it is a pain having to stop and take your pack off to drink. Having a 2 litre bladder which you can integrate into your hiking pack is such a great way to keep up your water intake - you can drink without even having to stop while you're walking. I used this <a href="https://www.evolutioncycles.co.nz/Product/240361/camelbak-crux-2l-reservoir" target="_blank">Camelbak bladder</a> - it was really easy to turn the valve on/off with one hand too.</li>
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<li><b>a silk sleeping bag liner</b> - this is versatile, tiny and weighs nothing and is useful whether it's hot or cold. It was pretty warm the nights we were on the track and we found we only needed to drape our sleeping bags over us and just sleep inside the liner. In colder conditions, having a liner inside your sleeping bag provides a huge amount of extra warmth.</li>
<li><b>Merino, merino, merino </b>- it doesn't matter whether it's hot or cold merino clothing is so versatile. I walked in a merino sports bra, merino racerback tank top and had 2-3 long sleeve merino layers to add if I got cold (which usually only happened at the end of the day when I stopped and cooled down). Merino socks are also great to hike in too - comfortable and won't make your feet overheat like cotton socks would.</li>
<li><b>earplugs</b> - when you're sleeping with up to 30 people in a bunk-room you can guarantee there's going to be at least one snorer. We used these l<a href="http://www.pharmacydirect.co.nz/MACK-S-Sound-Asleep-Soft-Ear-Plug-12-pairs.html" target="_blank">ittle foam ear plugs</a> and they were amazing - pretty much blocked out any outside noise and made for a good night's sleep</li>
<li><b>insect repellant </b>- unless you're walking in very cold conditions, you'll probably be plagued by NZ's notorious sandflies on parts of the track. My best advice is to invest in <a href="http://www.pharmacydirect.co.nz/Bushman/?gclid=CjwKCAiA7vTiBRAqEiwA4NTO60bqllzr9lueQkgF-ZYtac-VcgRBH7114vi8V6ARqEX_kSNKDA7EahoCsCwQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Bushman Repellant </a>insect repellant. It has a higher DEET content than most and I came away from the hike without a single bite!</li>
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You can also find a helpful Gear List for walking the Routeburn Track <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/routeburn-track/what-to-take" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Five more tips to enjoy hiking the Routeburn Track</b></h2>
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Tip 6 - take the additional side trips to Key Summit & Conical Hill</h3>
There are two well-known side routes on the Routeburn Track. Key Summit is about an hour into the hike from The Divide and makes a good day walk in its own right from The Divide carpark. It's worth the extra slog up the hill if you can guarantee the view - we got lucky the day we walked as the clouds broke enough to see the amazing mountains reflected in the tarn at the top and 360 degree views of the whole area. At an hour return it was worth the extra effort!<br />
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<i> View from Key Summit towards the Darran Mountains</i></div>
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On the second day when you reach Harris Saddle (no matter which direction you walk), there's a side trip up to Conical Hill which will take you another 250 metres higher than Harris Saddle up to 1515m. We saw a few people heading up here but the day we walked there wasn't great visibility when we reached the saddle plus my knees were already pretty shot and I couldn't imagine getting back down again without a good deal of extra pain!<br />
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<i>Walkers at Harris Saddle looking up the Conical Hill track</i></div>
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<b>Tip 7 - enjoy the amazing variety of scenery</b></h3>
The Routeburn Track traverses two national parks, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring. Fiordland is by far the wettest place in New Zealand, so you'd be doing well to walk all 3 days without seeing rain of some description. During the 3 days on the hike we encountered fog and mist, bright sunshine, hazy clouds, drizzle, torrential rain, low visibility and bright sunshine again.<br />
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If it rains before or during the walk, you're bound to see an incredible number of waterfalls crossing on the track. It's fun rock hopping across these mini waterfalls and I lost count of how many bridges we crossed with stunning waterfalls along the way.<br />
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The most impressive waterfall of all is Earland Falls at 174 metres tall. You'll walk directly past it on the track and get a nice soaking for your efforts - which was rather nice when you're feeling hot and sweaty!<br />
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<b>Tip 8: keep an eye out for NZ's native birds</b></h3>
There has been a big effort by <a href="https://blog.doc.govt.nz/2016/05/12/routeburn-trapping-project/" target="_blank">DOC along with public donations in recent years</a> to bring back birdlife on the track as it had diminished significantly due to pests like stoats. There's a pest trap about every 100 metres along the track marked by markers in the trees and it has made a huge difference to the levels of birdlife along the track. We saw lots of cute riflemen, a few robins but the highlight was seeing two kea (NZ's native alpine parrot) up close as we walked up to the Saddle.<br />
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<b>Tip 9: get up early and watch the sunrise</b></h3>
If you're anything like me, you'll be pretty tired from up to 6 hours of walking each day and the thought of staying in bed for an extra hour will be pretty appealing. However, it's worth taking a peek out the window just as the sky begins to lighten to see if it's worth finding a spot to watch the sunrise. The sunrise we experienced at Routeburn Falls Hut on our 3rd morning was nothing short of miraculous and I couldn't believe most of my fellow hikers were missing out on such a glorious sight.<br />
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<b>Tip 10: Pinch yourself!</b></h3>
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When it's all over, you'll be wishing you could turn around and walk it all over again (sore knees aside!). I loved every minute of the hike, including listening to the ranger talks in the hut each evening, meeting other hikers and hearing their stories, being out of cellphone coverage for three whole days, and just generally falling in love with NZ's scenery all over again. The excruciating knee pain I experienced for all of Day 2 and 3 has not put me off AT ALL, it just makes me more determined to get myself better prepared physically so I'll be more than ready to tackle the next Great Walk we're planning to do - we haven't decided which one or exactly when it will be but I do know that we want to head back into NZ's wilderness again sometime soon!<br />
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A summary of each day to give you a taste of what to expect:</h2>
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Day 1 - The Divide - Key Summit - Lake Howden - Earland Falls - Lake Mackenzie</h3>
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The walk starts at The Divide carpark about 15 minutes before the Homer Tunnel on the road to Milford Sound. We walked through the foggy forest for a good half an hour gaining altitude steadily. When we reached the turnoff for Key Summit, we decided it would be worth the effort and it was!</div>
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<i>The sun trying to break through the mist</i></div>
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<i> Climbing through the fog and beech forest</i></div>
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<i>Smiles for a side trip that was very worthwhile at Key Summit</i></div>
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From Key Summit, the track descends quickly towards Lake Howden - this descent was where my knee troubles began! After a quick stop at Lake Howden for scroggin and the toilet, we headed off up the next ridge towards Earland Falls.</div>
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<i>Short pitstop and admiring the views at Lake Howden</i></div>
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It was really warm here and it was a relief to head back into the cool of the bush for a while. </div>
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<i>Enjoying the cool of the bush after Lake Howden</i></div>
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We climbed steadily again for a good hour or so before coming upon the mighty Earland Falls. They're quite hard to capture as they are SO tall and the spray is pretty crazy. You can see them from a long way off when you're walking from the other direction.</div>
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<i>Spectacular spray and view to Earland Falls </i></div>
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From there the weather started to close in, and it was a gradual descent through some fairly rocky uneven ground (again the knees were hurting!) and by the time we made it to Lake Mackenzie at around 4pm we were MORE than ready to see the hut!<br />
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<i>This was a very welcome sight!</i></div>
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<i>It was a damp end to Day 1 - glad to be warm and dry at the hut!</i></div>
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<i>Claiming a spot in the bunkroom and doing some running repairs on the blister protection!</i> </div>
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<i> Bunk room at the Lake Mackenzie Hut</i></div>
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<i>What a setting for the Lake Mackenzie Hut!</i></div>
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The rain really set in overnight and everyone was early to bed after the ranger talk finished as dark set in quickly - no chance of sunset for me.<br />
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<h3>
Day 2: Lake Mackenzie - Harris Saddle - Routeburn Falls Hut</h3>
The forecast was a bit wrong as the rain was meant to clear by 6am - but it was almost heavier then than it had been overnight which put paid to any chance of sunrise down at the lake - I was a bit disappointed!! It's still a stunning spot though even in the rain.<br />
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<i>I'll just have to come back for my magical sunset / sunrise one day!</i></div>
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<i>Even in the mist Lake Mackenzie is stunning - AND COLD! Tried an ice bath the previous afternoon and could only last a minute up to my knees!</i></div>
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We set off around 8.30am in drizzle and low visibility and steadily climbed up above the lake getting the occasional glimpse through the passing cloud of the mountains and lake down below.<br />
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<i>The odd break in the cloud allowed us views back down to Lake Mackenzie</i></div>
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<i>Climbing steadily away from Lake Mackenzie</i></div>
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After some steep switchbacks we then headed up into some very thick cloud and rounded the corner to more level ground as we headed along the side of the hill for a good hour or two towards the saddle. The clouds broke occasionally to reveal a wee snippet of the valley below but we never got a fully clear view across the Hollyford Valley - kinda frustrating!<br />
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<i>The track hugs these hillsides for a good two hours towards the Harris Saddle</i></div>
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<i>About the best opportunity to look down into the Hollyford Valley</i></div>
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<i>The scenery on Day 2 was so different - all alpine views above the tree line</i> </div>
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<i>Pausing for a camera break</i> </div>
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<i>Tantalising when the cloud broke to show glimpses of the valley below</i></div>
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We made good time to the Harris Saddle reaching it after about 3 hours 30 minutes and spent about half an hour enjoying a sit down and a toilet stop.<br />
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<i>Emergency shelters at Harris Saddle - one for the independent walkers and one for the guided tours.</i> </div>
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<i>This view across Lake Harris to the waterfall was one of my favourites of the whole trip!</i> </div>
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<i>This photo shows just how uneven some of the the ground was even on the flat sections of the track</i></div>
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After setting off you reach Lake Harris just around the corner with plenty more opportunities for stunning photos - this area of the walk reminded me so much of the terrain I'd expect in Iceland.<br />
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<i>At the highest point of the walk - 1300 metres overlooking Lake Harris</i> </div>
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<i>Amazing views - but at this point I was wondering how on earth I'd get down this next section!</i></div>
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The last section of the day is a steep descent through the valley towards the Routeburn Falls Hut - I found this REALLY hard going on my knees - it took us almost as long to do the short descent as it had taken us to do all the uphill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH7ytsbOfs7AyDbr1AaNeQ0vGw8jld8SNNjBpJ1Ul0nL4gNaIIv3nQcC6hMjDLA2quk3h1mPtdgBELKhLCO_Io4pIKwQW-vQQUcZ6kSgQkWNePB7oIn9xotfWou5i1EjM48MjIl29iW9s/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH7ytsbOfs7AyDbr1AaNeQ0vGw8jld8SNNjBpJ1Ul0nL4gNaIIv3nQcC6hMjDLA2quk3h1mPtdgBELKhLCO_Io4pIKwQW-vQQUcZ6kSgQkWNePB7oIn9xotfWou5i1EjM48MjIl29iW9s/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07785.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>A steady descent through alpine meadows from Lake Harris</i> </div>
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<i>The waterfalls follow you all the way down this valley</i></div>
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It was quite a relief to finally see the hut appear over the hill with the falls - though the last fifteen minutes were a VERY STEEP descent which took me way longer than it should have.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewpv-7MnYqn8ULbjhe6kpAL_TxG_UlhZjZ_4W-N8cTdPaDeLQTgbYEE-ykCe2uUlZGwMP0VQwoh_dXVpfDy59-vowHshHgyVGHqMTyi1hbisD5kvpLSpAGygWWTLONPQEYzEux2PurxJ-/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewpv-7MnYqn8ULbjhe6kpAL_TxG_UlhZjZ_4W-N8cTdPaDeLQTgbYEE-ykCe2uUlZGwMP0VQwoh_dXVpfDy59-vowHshHgyVGHqMTyi1hbisD5kvpLSpAGygWWTLONPQEYzEux2PurxJ-/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07797.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Relief to see the hut appear at last!</i></div>
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The setting of the Routeburn Falls Hut is incredible - with the falls flowing down right past it. Even though I could barely walk, I still managed to drag myself up to the lookout to enjoy a lovely pastel sunset that evening.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxXvvH0H2YHa0T8Fm8ZqgpY0nXNzUxxjlVOuqzp5X-zY3deuK2qKKM6P0VOmK0OghBg8CjhAcMX-0R7HLwR0AUzzyI7vo2m3Y0vSPacRsMPISxtZ_FtBcfeb98Q1GcUtnA96xtyL2BJwu/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxXvvH0H2YHa0T8Fm8ZqgpY0nXNzUxxjlVOuqzp5X-zY3deuK2qKKM6P0VOmK0OghBg8CjhAcMX-0R7HLwR0AUzzyI7vo2m3Y0vSPacRsMPISxtZ_FtBcfeb98Q1GcUtnA96xtyL2BJwu/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07840.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>The view down the Routeburn valley at dusk</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GyNJvYNcpE7cNkDShB9HKkt5T3hBxRyB3nuSeicZyLnY6MeukT787T5H3KHo4ufVGQeCdTzTVi1GI7-EmbbM9c8p0HDXPdA1GxCyMjz5M8OKiRsRVU2GhPFidCwk-w9ggdPhg3aG6NZq/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GyNJvYNcpE7cNkDShB9HKkt5T3hBxRyB3nuSeicZyLnY6MeukT787T5H3KHo4ufVGQeCdTzTVi1GI7-EmbbM9c8p0HDXPdA1GxCyMjz5M8OKiRsRVU2GhPFidCwk-w9ggdPhg3aG6NZq/s640/Routeburn-Track-07846.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>The Routeburn Falls lit up by the pastel sky overhead</i></div>
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<h3>
<b>Day 3: Routeburn Falls Hut - Routeburn Flats - Routeburn Shelter</b></h3>
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The last day dawned with an incredible sunrise - I snuck out of the bunkroom quietly at 5.45am when I saw the colour developing in the sky - it turned into an absolute beauty.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHpJe4VGKkT0GZEMMs7a7D5b_t7MPAn3K8mma9i56AQc4HNAsFuvbY-_b42Bx0ELZo0BHNWkAxzNEZvPXN2tuy0s_CFc2i4K0W1JFho_qHTptvrJRph2_N2b2lGkzHoJ_loGwcX1OLBtP/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHpJe4VGKkT0GZEMMs7a7D5b_t7MPAn3K8mma9i56AQc4HNAsFuvbY-_b42Bx0ELZo0BHNWkAxzNEZvPXN2tuy0s_CFc2i4K0W1JFho_qHTptvrJRph2_N2b2lGkzHoJ_loGwcX1OLBtP/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07850.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96sftb_B5080f3dz_Povpa_v85bD8Dc9Rb4zRSL1AJstMJyGgDEygmT8uDp4jsceZZhaa0Anwerj3z2RAlL-9JRnC9O3EAMzXI25UoqJOXR6PJZtCzEjfjnBUmL5HOxBF6nezk_riyXzt/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96sftb_B5080f3dz_Povpa_v85bD8Dc9Rb4zRSL1AJstMJyGgDEygmT8uDp4jsceZZhaa0Anwerj3z2RAlL-9JRnC9O3EAMzXI25UoqJOXR6PJZtCzEjfjnBUmL5HOxBF6nezk_riyXzt/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07864.jpg" /></a><i>The Routeburn Falls hut positive glows under the light of the incredible sunrise</i></div>
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On one hand I was sad realising that this was the last morning to enjoy this amazing experience but my knees were more than ready to stop walking and we had a big descent of 500 metres ahead of us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYv1SPC1Jf6vcYfFh31r4nI64WxnHGIbfRjL3_T8G1qzBnKsh9-6Ei4sLIFMEADZGz66qfwXzgfMXDBqlvZAROVl0-hgxUMOGWTiFFfCqcvFJJEUtDOP8MdVEYxJ8RfVyqzxjBl6zeF9P/s1600/ROUTEBURN+TRACK+DAY+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYv1SPC1Jf6vcYfFh31r4nI64WxnHGIbfRjL3_T8G1qzBnKsh9-6Ei4sLIFMEADZGz66qfwXzgfMXDBqlvZAROVl0-hgxUMOGWTiFFfCqcvFJJEUtDOP8MdVEYxJ8RfVyqzxjBl6zeF9P/s1600/ROUTEBURN+TRACK+DAY+3.png" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR3dlAJilcMnl6FWHK19_0RW0qVn21qAV1W8IssCioUe65oM0Rnuyd7d0enobFvW0he5SHnna9kfhT5JOLySYaHWx8qOI7z0OzxDjkx9AmQtCEBhpz5-2GgvU0XlgRRKNCokd1aDZqI7p/s1600/ROUTEBURN+TRACK+ELEVATION+DAY+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR3dlAJilcMnl6FWHK19_0RW0qVn21qAV1W8IssCioUe65oM0Rnuyd7d0enobFvW0he5SHnna9kfhT5JOLySYaHWx8qOI7z0OzxDjkx9AmQtCEBhpz5-2GgvU0XlgRRKNCokd1aDZqI7p/s1600/ROUTEBURN+TRACK+ELEVATION+DAY+3.png" /></a><br />
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The first hour or so was a bit of a killer in terms of our downwards elevation but luckily there were some lovely views to make up for it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxncSKU-9eLFLo-J3vZwO6oDjtw2wr2i5tuzMjFn401jkrGVuV2ULJ4YsdzlYLgSiYm6rqsKQjLvQEHDukfFnfZIzEzAhggOmvbexkldT0Ks3U1L-AeraK-msATdiER4c43sZQZ558S-3A/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxncSKU-9eLFLo-J3vZwO6oDjtw2wr2i5tuzMjFn401jkrGVuV2ULJ4YsdzlYLgSiYm6rqsKQjLvQEHDukfFnfZIzEzAhggOmvbexkldT0Ks3U1L-AeraK-msATdiER4c43sZQZ558S-3A/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07874.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>The incredible Routeburn valley spread out before us</i></div>
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Before long we reached the flats (yay!) and the ground evened out for a while which was a relief. From here we followed the river through some beautiful beech forest for a couple of hours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fv926KIkdpSfkl6vj7X1WHM4we99tj44qaGClzSslRr8dPSfllu7Rd9-nK8iZDg7-I6UyM45Qkxy1ObjlnCqMoP2Bo3Ll94v6AI72bHZmoTzQK9nIX0dSYDsMb0BbnZe3YMu5Le2yIZp/s1600/LRG_DSC07882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fv926KIkdpSfkl6vj7X1WHM4we99tj44qaGClzSslRr8dPSfllu7Rd9-nK8iZDg7-I6UyM45Qkxy1ObjlnCqMoP2Bo3Ll94v6AI72bHZmoTzQK9nIX0dSYDsMb0BbnZe3YMu5Le2yIZp/s640/LRG_DSC07882.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>Five minutes with my feet up - bliss!</i></div>
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The colour of the water was pretty incredible here - that beautiful pure quality that New Zealand is so well known for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvwjx0ZOI_nTzen4ZayhwrvQ9ai07E2ROtzBiw3w8eZuICcWYWg9OaX0JHclfEDmm-WIgBYse6gp7QGvvZ66kxJtOmeqfMWr9xvP-LoTgeeQMXL62Sb62Ed0xVoBHLXJLD8PYv80BXRWI/s1600/LRG_DSC07886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvwjx0ZOI_nTzen4ZayhwrvQ9ai07E2ROtzBiw3w8eZuICcWYWg9OaX0JHclfEDmm-WIgBYse6gp7QGvvZ66kxJtOmeqfMWr9xvP-LoTgeeQMXL62Sb62Ed0xVoBHLXJLD8PYv80BXRWI/s1600/LRG_DSC07886.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>I could have stayed here all day taking photos of this view!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_759mX1fBvuS3CLSmylUHRL7XZS3tqHHuSoBQ5iuClDGB1Gb9foO5CcRCnFrM7leBUyuy3ILMmj1P6V3SeMi8Il1eNYftENr3ktemY6NSLbPmzcP_Oyaj4WrCRF6A_6uctryl8wssCpju/s1600/Routeburn-Track-07896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_759mX1fBvuS3CLSmylUHRL7XZS3tqHHuSoBQ5iuClDGB1Gb9foO5CcRCnFrM7leBUyuy3ILMmj1P6V3SeMi8Il1eNYftENr3ktemY6NSLbPmzcP_Oyaj4WrCRF6A_6uctryl8wssCpju/s640/Routeburn-Track-07896.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i>River crossing - that water colour is incredible</i></div>
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<i>Enjoying the beautiful beech forest not far from the end of the hike</i></div>
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At about 12pm, we reached the end of the track - it looks a bit like the sign is the only thing holding me up at this point which wasn't far from the truth!<br />
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I hope that our story and images give you a sense of just how incredible the Routeburn Track is as a multi-day hike and Great Walk of NZ, it's certainly a journey I would highly recommend if you ever get the chance!<br />
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney </a><a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-6821693455128154652018-09-02T23:10:00.000-07:002019-06-25T00:49:53.692-07:00A beginners guide to shooting the stars (astrophotography)My awesome guide with loads of tips and tricks can now be found here:<br />
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Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-80136529720298922672018-07-24T17:00:00.000-07:002018-07-24T22:25:49.229-07:00Get your midwinter on at HobbitonThere’s a valley deep in the heart of the Waikato where a special kind of magic exists. You could be driving right past and never know it was there, and even when you meet at the Hobbiton tour departure point there’s no evidence of the Shire where you’ll be heading.<br />
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Travelling by vehicle through a quiet farm track with sheep scattering left and right, the sense of anticipation builds, until suddenly through a clearing you get a glimpse of the Green Dragon Inn and lake and your heart leaps with excitement. Round another corner more pockets of the Shire with little hobbit holes become visible and suddenly the journey to Middle-earth begins for real.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAKy8LnNAJvb9vdt02fngSzIe3hRPM48Lvvk4mWT3Wf57wKS9iA6JM81dm7mhwOL2fFw6BKBn_DXr3zPSv6dnDmn8KIXKenugjU5zv1RzzsK4_KKwny5Gq5wqMHmA1V0QYVhx23eLkHYX/s1600/Hobbit-holes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAKy8LnNAJvb9vdt02fngSzIe3hRPM48Lvvk4mWT3Wf57wKS9iA6JM81dm7mhwOL2fFw6BKBn_DXr3zPSv6dnDmn8KIXKenugjU5zv1RzzsK4_KKwny5Gq5wqMHmA1V0QYVhx23eLkHYX/s1600/Hobbit-holes.jpg" /></a><br />
Aside from the daily tours on offer, <a href="https://www.hobbitontours.com/en/events/upcoming-special-events/" target="_blank">Hobbiton Tours</a> hosts a number of special events throughout the year such as International Hobbit Day, Summer Solstice and a Beer Festival to name a few, but this was the first ever Mid Winter Feast to be held and I for one was thrilled to be attending. Arriving mid-afternoon on a crisp and clear mid winter day, we wandered at leisure through the set, exclaiming over the intricacies of the detail at each hobbit hole, clearly showing the owner for his interest or occupation. It was a real treat to pop inside the ‘red-door’ hobbit hole just as the pink and purple hues of dusk settled about the hills.<br />
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And then it was time to feast! The Green Dragon Inn served up a delicious concoction of freshly brewed beers and ciders but my drink of choice was the homemade mulled wine which warmed the insides nicely (I may have had more than one!) before settling down to a hearty buffet dinner in the Great Tent.<br />
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The dinner itself passed in a blur of good company, a hearty meal and conversation with very appropriate tunes provided in rousing fashion for by Marian Burns. After feeling full as the proverbial goose (or is that meant to be abull?), the individual tours met up with their respective guides for another journey around the set by lantern light - a whole other level of magical.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWdWZu0HT_PPbsyO7xhbXtgJcIOYVlNX_81Rwt4af4mzD1NbPTDvms1UR6PUQDGsOuyg6ndWiCCq4IlWPTqej9aAc_nSiVvT86H2KidA4WuPz1tAeJkuAMlchaWXk_TxxKQqpq9dBJsvu/s1600/hobbiton-midwinter-feast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWdWZu0HT_PPbsyO7xhbXtgJcIOYVlNX_81Rwt4af4mzD1NbPTDvms1UR6PUQDGsOuyg6ndWiCCq4IlWPTqej9aAc_nSiVvT86H2KidA4WuPz1tAeJkuAMlchaWXk_TxxKQqpq9dBJsvu/s1600/hobbiton-midwinter-feast.jpg" /></a></div>
As guests of <a href="https://www.hamiltonwaikato.com/" target="_blank">Hamilton & Waikato Tourism</a> and <a href="https://www.hobbitontours.com/en/" target="_blank">Hobbiton Tours</a>, a few fellow photographers and I were able to stay on to capture the starry night sky over Hobbiton, and what a privilege it was to see this fantastical place come alive under the cloak of the Milky Way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAahwlPITkvHOWBZ6EiRxwkHluznvuR_wZLY-syR6STwqdIitp_lN7XwFryqN70RGxAvuRESqGtNwwabvC6p6R854AoJk4VfTc0HBjMxo1b6MOcTh_MwYn54cCBXkiJd1Sh6mmt1dKip7/s1600/DSC07347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAahwlPITkvHOWBZ6EiRxwkHluznvuR_wZLY-syR6STwqdIitp_lN7XwFryqN70RGxAvuRESqGtNwwabvC6p6R854AoJk4VfTc0HBjMxo1b6MOcTh_MwYn54cCBXkiJd1Sh6mmt1dKip7/s1600/DSC07347.jpg" /></a></div>
New Zealand is famous for its dark skies which are perfect for star gazing and this spot is no exception facing away from any visible city lights deep in a Waikato valley. The opportunities for shots were endless, but my favourites would was capturing the tail of the Milky Way above Bilbo’s Bag End, getting a glimpse of the Galactic Core above a tree and a hobbit hole, and the view over the lake towards the Green Dragon Inn with countless stars to light the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaJCrvpqcaHvlm6AKDF_rhQaIqJtV2CoBms0AwOH3QjnkKJZtgUjAYiwHafDUUfIkWJlezAWsoNGDfmx845fglZ3_uzPB3duUT_SvxfPXK9FxBDj5egNmKqqqlGxorMOnFbTGkqzbcUUC/s1600/hobbiton-milky-way-stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaJCrvpqcaHvlm6AKDF_rhQaIqJtV2CoBms0AwOH3QjnkKJZtgUjAYiwHafDUUfIkWJlezAWsoNGDfmx845fglZ3_uzPB3duUT_SvxfPXK9FxBDj5egNmKqqqlGxorMOnFbTGkqzbcUUC/s1600/hobbiton-milky-way-stars.jpg" /></a></div>
I was immediately transported back to scenes in the Lord of the Rings film where the Shire hosts a party in celebration of of Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday and fireworks are set off, and Bilbo remarks '<i>Gandalf, my old friend, this will be a night to remember'. </i>And it certainly was a night for me to remember too!<br />
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<i>The Midwinter Feast was hosted by <a href="https://www.hobbitontours.com/" target="_blank">Hobbiton Tours</a> and <a href="https://www.hamiltonwaikato.com/" target="_blank">Hamilton & Waikato Tourism</a> but all thoughts and experiences are my own.</i><br />
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-20239581113927792532018-07-09T00:03:00.000-07:002018-07-09T15:53:49.083-07:00Whale Watching in Kaikoura: An NZ Must Do experienceKaikoura is one of those places that brims with the promise of abundant nature and incredible scenery. Where else in New Zealand can you be right by the sea yet have snow capped mountains towering directly above? The Kaikoura area is also very unique in the world because of the deep underwater canyon found literally 800 metres offshore which brings marine life much closer to shore to search for nutrients in the dark depths that are up to 1km deep - which is why it's such an ideal spot for whale watching.<br />
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I recently spent the weekend in Kaikoura hosted by <a href="https://www.whalewatch.co.nz/" target="_blank">Whale Watch Kaikoura</a> along with my good friend and fellow photographer Laurie Winter. We were so fortunate to be blessed with incredible weather the whole weekend which made conditions favourable for two trips out to see the resident sperm whales found off the Kaikoura coast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdncC0h_Owb4I3NA_3rxPupWlskp1I8Rn3DT7mzCAzVRE4Ngcfe7AFMXsYYuPd52hA55YjtlmIELnR0cdHiWg99yG1bx6UL8VewAGDMif_1WZvA2M2TU_3Sz83ay6cDmdZ5Pw0zc8HkT2/s1600/dawn-kaikoura-snow-mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dawn Kaikoura beach" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdncC0h_Owb4I3NA_3rxPupWlskp1I8Rn3DT7mzCAzVRE4Ngcfe7AFMXsYYuPd52hA55YjtlmIELnR0cdHiWg99yG1bx6UL8VewAGDMif_1WZvA2M2TU_3Sz83ay6cDmdZ5Pw0zc8HkT2/s1600/dawn-kaikoura-snow-mountains.jpg" title="Sunrise Kaikoura" /></a></div>
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Having arrived in the dark after driving up from Christchurch, we awoke to frosty and clear conditions the first morning and set a course for Mangamaunu Bay to capture the sunrise. This is a popular surf beach in the area, and sure enough by the time we were packing up to leave and head back to town, there were several cars parked up with keen surfers getting ready to head out despite the fact it was mid winter - so much braver than me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk102GOqQQSPbDbY6lrRijSGu3QO15aXLQ6uGaLxVsPDSB1C2mUzIGvOibrZV2AO_kMWIubpex4_98OfZ8p6uG0tCIVJW-gd3EHlROp5K7HfTVquBB4VSVKUeOg82QZx58fgFkDqyrXNx/s1600/golden-sunrise-kaikoura-nz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kaikoura rocky beach sunrise" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk102GOqQQSPbDbY6lrRijSGu3QO15aXLQ6uGaLxVsPDSB1C2mUzIGvOibrZV2AO_kMWIubpex4_98OfZ8p6uG0tCIVJW-gd3EHlROp5K7HfTVquBB4VSVKUeOg82QZx58fgFkDqyrXNx/s1600/golden-sunrise-kaikoura-nz.jpg" title="Golden sunrise Kaikoura" /></a></div>
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Our experiences out to sea with <a href="https://www.whalewatch.co.nz/" target="_blank">Whale Watch Kaikoura</a> were amazing, not only because we saw two different sperm whales each day (four in total), but because of the huge knowledge you come away with after experiencing the tour. The crew are so passionate about what they do and impart a wealth of information that stuck with me long after we docked back in the harbour. Some of the amazing facts I came away with about the sperm whales were:</div>
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<li>Individual whales are recognisable by the unique kinks and nicks in their tails</li>
<li>Only male whales are found in Kaikoura - the females stay up in the warmer tropic regions</li>
<li>They are the largest toothed predator and like to eat giant squid</li>
<li>They weigh up to 60 tonnes and are as long as 20 metres (the same length as our whale watching boat)</li>
<li>Whales dive down for approximately 45 minutes at a time to a depth of up to 1,000 metres to feed before resurfacing to breath for 10-15 minutes (which is when we get the opportunity to see them)</li>
<li>The sonar they emit is louder than a jumbo jet engine loud enough to burst your eardrums if you were listening under water</li>
<li>They have the largest brain of any animal, all 9 kg of it!</li>
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When the boat is out on a tour, the crew will often listen to the whales on their hydraphone to track their exact location so that they can be in the right position for when the whales come back to the surface - I can say it's a highly sophisticated and accurate tool having seen it in action!</div>
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If you sign up to the <a href="https://www.whalewatch.co.nz/your-experience/kiwi-whale-watchers-club/" target="_blank">Kiwi Whale Watchers Club</a> you also get 50% off any subsequent tour in the winter months, and based on my experience I'd say winter is a great time to go because you get the benefit of beautiful snow capped mountains to gaze upon while you're out to sea as well!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vZA01s2lGY62G2u38Z5PLcSESIZfAsmx4TccSyAkoAST5dCgP_yfwQ87agr_jco2nUvSBvUaQY101Q_vEk0raD3xiZwwVV3wdxmx9LaIj0RYSJLA27jXirYOhnu0kS-6UAjt7noC_LaQ/s1600/whale-watch-kaikoura-trip.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vZA01s2lGY62G2u38Z5PLcSESIZfAsmx4TccSyAkoAST5dCgP_yfwQ87agr_jco2nUvSBvUaQY101Q_vEk0raD3xiZwwVV3wdxmx9LaIj0RYSJLA27jXirYOhnu0kS-6UAjt7noC_LaQ/s1600/whale-watch-kaikoura-trip.png" /></a></div>
The crew can also tell when the whales are going to make their dive back down to the deep, so they will let you know in plenty of time to get the camera at the ready for that famous 'tail' shot like you see below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEHDQ0K4RPDnX-4aX8CDJ3EhG3mCPgG4kEbiev3KZrHQXKA7eS73Ktb2-efj-_Inu5_VN9WOhxU1PGtr0NvD9WpVenVITC996U1ZfIepi_aTBo6N953uCZHPayKRHr0lD0vdFyWqPTmQd/s1600/sperm-whales-kaikoura-nz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kaikoura sperm whale encounter" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEHDQ0K4RPDnX-4aX8CDJ3EhG3mCPgG4kEbiev3KZrHQXKA7eS73Ktb2-efj-_Inu5_VN9WOhxU1PGtr0NvD9WpVenVITC996U1ZfIepi_aTBo6N953uCZHPayKRHr0lD0vdFyWqPTmQd/s1600/sperm-whales-kaikoura-nz.png" title="whale watch kaikoura" /></a></div>
You might already be aware that the Kaikoura area was hit hard by the massive 7.8 earthquake in November 2016. A 110km section of coastline was uplifted up to 6 metres, and the quake cut the main highway both north and south of Kaikoura leaving it completely stranded. It was a huge blow to the local economy and whale watching operations had to stop for a while until they could find a way to return to the water with the marina having been left high and dry. But with the resilience Kiwis are famous for, members of <a href="https://www.whalewatch.co.nz/" target="_blank">Whale Watch Kaikoura</a> were tasked with helping out with the local clean up operation until the boats could get back out on the water, and they were back at full capacity within a year once the seabed had been lowered enough to get the boats back into the marina.<br />
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It was also obvious driving to Kaikoura just how big a job it was getting the road re-opened, and even now 18 months on there are still many one-way sections on the road in and out, but with it being such an important section of road connecting Christchurch with the north of the island the crews worked hard to get it up and running as soon as possible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyBDce2FFcUavDvfwcp_bBXUHqptWhubTSZv0FnEZ8tWNmtTEcPnhVn8vGoFIRRtEaf4xfJo3T-CFFeXa6LTwxW54TtihjnQVO2WnCeOf8x7aeO0yIvEjwzdB42C0GenB_FktnxPN44D-/s1600/views-over-kaikoura-nz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="view over kaikoura" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyBDce2FFcUavDvfwcp_bBXUHqptWhubTSZv0FnEZ8tWNmtTEcPnhVn8vGoFIRRtEaf4xfJo3T-CFFeXa6LTwxW54TtihjnQVO2WnCeOf8x7aeO0yIvEjwzdB42C0GenB_FktnxPN44D-/s1600/views-over-kaikoura-nz.jpg" title="kaikoura lookout view" /></a></div>
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After our first tour, we enjoyed exploring the various vantage points over Kaikoura including the lookout over the town and the views from the walkway (although we didn't have enough time to explore the whole thing on this trip).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLQR8gEfoG4_gFtZLke2gjEUYgc-t81e7qZnTAVp91ZxI_UDnTRF0_hyphenhyphenDHbFAkgu_0wmel2yR97cUFlf-IkIFVZFVBlkPECIi8XKGOsrQa-U8bYCFuyCNmA_WAtUYE4SqZkWcbLGBSI-h/s1600/sunset-in-kaikoura-nz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLQR8gEfoG4_gFtZLke2gjEUYgc-t81e7qZnTAVp91ZxI_UDnTRF0_hyphenhyphenDHbFAkgu_0wmel2yR97cUFlf-IkIFVZFVBlkPECIi8XKGOsrQa-U8bYCFuyCNmA_WAtUYE4SqZkWcbLGBSI-h/s1600/sunset-in-kaikoura-nz.png" /></a></div>
Sunset that night was spent down on the main beach soaking up the beautiful sunshine and we even saw a whale shaped cloud turn pink before our eyes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN6FWMv8IexrLTmsQe2FIMB0ZAyOT9w9MkCdcciKIZIjgb21Rg-I1jkLfDI1Ms2eRagyZQZGBPbab8ojpYsk0mIRrHVqICOoCvJaX4ifP7CEVn0-xW9RA0C2bgGogFadO_Ajvfc7b-vHJ/s1600/sunset-rock-pools-kaikoura-nz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="kaikoura rock pool reflections" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN6FWMv8IexrLTmsQe2FIMB0ZAyOT9w9MkCdcciKIZIjgb21Rg-I1jkLfDI1Ms2eRagyZQZGBPbab8ojpYsk0mIRrHVqICOoCvJaX4ifP7CEVn0-xW9RA0C2bgGogFadO_Ajvfc7b-vHJ/s1600/sunset-rock-pools-kaikoura-nz.jpg" title="sunset kaikoura rock pools" /></a></div>
The next morning we were treated with an incredible show of colour at sunrise - seeing the sea turn pink is not something that happens every day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U7b_x5_diKZ-IsC-TF78Q_cRvSXeOXPD9RvHhCvsrnGWOCoobUOdmPPD4DwJUUZ-zmgFyUrGNTLW25m1tebcWF2-I1VPtHQBBQuVXyPvHGryo1ihdKFNecp5SpokWUn_KWf0G8GvMoWF/s1600/sunrise-waves-rocks-kaikoura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rocks long exposure kaikoura dawn" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U7b_x5_diKZ-IsC-TF78Q_cRvSXeOXPD9RvHhCvsrnGWOCoobUOdmPPD4DwJUUZ-zmgFyUrGNTLW25m1tebcWF2-I1VPtHQBBQuVXyPvHGryo1ihdKFNecp5SpokWUn_KWf0G8GvMoWF/s1600/sunrise-waves-rocks-kaikoura.jpg" title="blue hour kaikoura dawn" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexOPjxDZjxcc2A1gwJBU0y0V5K4qIhVXZc6-i4BwDu3D4hCglgoBqmihHyDZP5RfhVJ3YSkKwZbNbUw5YsYOj5pV1utl5Lt-8alASy1yR6616FKw9BXvDy65pii3CaiGEPq-fZ8xwAeHd/s1600/amazing-pink-sunrise-over-kaikoura-mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="kaikoura dawn pink mountain sunrise" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexOPjxDZjxcc2A1gwJBU0y0V5K4qIhVXZc6-i4BwDu3D4hCglgoBqmihHyDZP5RfhVJ3YSkKwZbNbUw5YsYOj5pV1utl5Lt-8alASy1yR6616FKw9BXvDy65pii3CaiGEPq-fZ8xwAeHd/s1600/amazing-pink-sunrise-over-kaikoura-mountains.jpg" title="pink sunrise over kaikoura mountains" /></a></div>
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I was sad to leave this beautiful spot after just two nights, and if I'd had more time I could certainly have found myself swimming with the dolphins or visiting the albatross colony and enjoying more of the wonderful hospitality that Kaikoura has to offer.</div>
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<i>The weekend in Kaikoura was sponsored by <a href="https://www.whalewatch.co.nz/" target="_blank">Whale Watch Kaikoura</a>, but all thoughts and experiences are my own.</i><br />
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-47530838747700134322018-06-12T04:23:00.000-07:002018-07-09T15:53:30.421-07:00Into NZ's wilderness - a grand motorhome road trip<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Growing up in our family, a love of the outdoors was inevitable. My dad was a keen hiker and took me and my brothers on many day walks and a few overnight hikes as well. He always recorded the moments on whatever camera he happened to own at the time and looking back now I can see how these experiences paved the way for my eventual passion for landscape photography, and my desire to capture scenes like this! </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After several South Island trips to capture images for my own portfolio, an idea sprouted to bring my dad on a trip down south to show him some of my favourite places, some which he hadn’t seen for 20-50 years, and some never at all. He jumped at the chance to accompany me and so our grand father-daughter NZ adventure was born. So on the first day of winter we hopped on a plane from Hamilton to Christchurch, marvelling at the sight of Mount Taranaki, Nelson Lakes and the Southern Alps out the window on the flight down. After picking up our luxurious Cruise 4 motorhome from </span><a href="https://hubs.ly/H0brWGc0" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Wilderness Motorhomes</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> we were on our way, first stop Mount Cook.</span></span><br />
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Day 1: Christchurch to Mount Cook</span></h3>
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An unusually still period of weather meant the Mackenzie area was mostly blanketed under a thick layer of fog and hoar frost - a sight which neither of us had seen before. We stopped to admire the first patch we came across, little realising that the entire region would be the same. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">This meant that even Lake Pukaki (known for its brilliant aqua blue water) was hidden from view, and it wasn’t until we were almost at Mount Cook village that the skies cleared, just in time for us to watch the last light leaving the peaks. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rME4DulXtZFRy6aTti9sphzaxr3N8q3pMBeEZEsv5cduPMMpJIHO2zTTecCmIIZ47lNApwRG8u3cdbkHX1cFmuEha5oxA7hwvxZ75KtZcP1nuFNniGg_KfOfkE0LddhgnUnDABP_0h7p/s1600/2018-06-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rME4DulXtZFRy6aTti9sphzaxr3N8q3pMBeEZEsv5cduPMMpJIHO2zTTecCmIIZ47lNApwRG8u3cdbkHX1cFmuEha5oxA7hwvxZ75KtZcP1nuFNniGg_KfOfkE0LddhgnUnDABP_0h7p/s1600/2018-06-014.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">We stood roadside admiring the mountain vista before us as several flocks of Canadian geese flew in formation overhead. The joy on Dad's face at being back amongst his beloved mountains was clearly visible, it was a magical start to our journey!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">We camped the night at White Horse Hill campsite under the shadow of all the great peaks in Aoraki National Park, and after a spot of dinner, I got the camera out to see how the stars were looking. By this stage, the moon had already risen over Mount Sefton, creating an almost daytime effect. The skies are so unbelievably clear in this part of NZ, that star gazing is an absolute treat, and the magellan clouds were clearly visible above the motorhome parked up for the night. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Despite the fact it was -5 degrees overnight, we were tucked up cosy with the incredibly efficient gas heating onboard our <a href="https://www.wilderness.co.nz/motorhomes/cruise-4" target="_blank">Cruise 4 motorhome</a>. There were so many cool features of our motorhome - my bed that dropped down from the dining room ceiling every night, the awesome lighting that made it seem like you were in a proper home not on the road, our driving chairs that swivelled round to create a real dining room and fantastic storage throughout (including hidden cavities in the floor) so there was no need to trip over your gear every time you moved.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Day 2: Mount Cook to Lake Matheson</span></h3>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">We awoke to pea soup thick fog which immediately put paid to my plans to capture a sunrise at Tasman Glacier and show Dad the incredible glacial lake and icebergs. Gradually the fog lifted from Mount Cook by 9am so my plan to walk into Hooker Lake for sunset looked hopeful. After a coffee at The Hermitage with views of Mount Cook out the window to die for, we headed off on a little jaunt into the valley. Unfortunately the fog rolled right back in at that point, and there were only passing views visible. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">I’d planned to surprise my dad with a glacier flight over the mountains at lunchtime, but even this became increasingly unlikely as the fog refused to shift. Weather forecasts suggested the conditions could stay the same for the next few days so at 1pm we made the difficult decision to leave the area in search of better conditions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The drive through Twizel towards the Lindis Pass was like a scene out of a winter wonderland with hoar frost clinging thickly to all the trees but with many kilometres to travel and daylight hours diminishing, we had to settle for enjoying the scene from the motorhome and kept on driving. We reached Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka during golden hour and stopped several times to capture the incredible light playing on the mountains, clouds and water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We had just enough time for one more stop at Cameron Flat to catch the pink afterglow on snowcapped mountains before driving through the Haast Pass in the dark, and up the West Coast arriving at Fox Glacier late enough to eat a late bite of dinner and head to bed, with plans for an early sunrise at Lake Matheson. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Day 3: Lake Matheson, Franz Josef and Gillespies Beach</span></h3>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Hiking to the viewpoint Lake Matheson well before dawn, we were treated to a magical view of the mountains lit up by the moon while the stars were still out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx5xUZGLiDiB4y-NI9g6YVA9JyRzJzepD5WLaoTBnHqlxzjjO3w-egt0kPejN7qfUoAfQY73rbSLgJOmQYc9ivW-5b3xi7eyHB3qulzY44xVC9_4XRvIsrdYUwph9SFstPlEdwwIXGGk6/s1600/Lake-Matheson-by-moonlight-stars-NZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx5xUZGLiDiB4y-NI9g6YVA9JyRzJzepD5WLaoTBnHqlxzjjO3w-egt0kPejN7qfUoAfQY73rbSLgJOmQYc9ivW-5b3xi7eyHB3qulzY44xVC9_4XRvIsrdYUwph9SFstPlEdwwIXGGk6/s1600/Lake-Matheson-by-moonlight-stars-NZ.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lake Matheson is famous for its mirror image reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman and it had been a dream of mine for such a long time to see it like this and to show my dad for the first time as well. The sunrise was perfectly clear and watching the light reach the peaks for the first time was entirely magical. It was pretty hard to tear ourselves away. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg9__v4cUsjW6lVuUXRiLOVC7JvGLmGWGWf3lu2Ih6qcpf1YMqVEyZ-617suT_l2rX6aVIYyB4V1GdwuhfptOfiEVfyR8ICxOL92wCs4jwQjC83N-TcZAgfAZC4vHdiFJPab0e7gS-GGz/s1600/Lake-Matheson-sunrise-NZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg9__v4cUsjW6lVuUXRiLOVC7JvGLmGWGWf3lu2Ih6qcpf1YMqVEyZ-617suT_l2rX6aVIYyB4V1GdwuhfptOfiEVfyR8ICxOL92wCs4jwQjC83N-TcZAgfAZC4vHdiFJPab0e7gS-GGz/s1600/Lake-Matheson-sunrise-NZ.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After such a long drive the day before, we decided to stay in the area for the day, driving up to Franz Josef to catch a glimpse of the glacier way up the valley, and to marvel at Peters Pool with its mirror reflections. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">We also took a drive out to Gillespies Beach (it’s so great that there’s no restrictions on driving <a href="https://hubs.ly/H0brWGc0" target="_blank">Wilderness Motorhomes</a> on unsealed roads so long as they are in decent condition) and enjoyed a cuppa marvelling at how clear the views were of the Southern Alps all the way from the coast.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2el9bTeEhONGu1UnjI_XTC0ZOJgR7P4ebhwNEEEITLEAbFp8X7tVw95CjklgiIWuoztwZf45spYkoP6qwKqM3ZS8xS4cXHz4eIu-4RtFcF9P1o5czEZjs3EBnZAYaoloDmCjmS6m_SOvA/s1600/Gillespies-Beach-West-Coast-Wilderness-Motorhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2el9bTeEhONGu1UnjI_XTC0ZOJgR7P4ebhwNEEEITLEAbFp8X7tVw95CjklgiIWuoztwZf45spYkoP6qwKqM3ZS8xS4cXHz4eIu-4RtFcF9P1o5czEZjs3EBnZAYaoloDmCjmS6m_SOvA/s1600/Gillespies-Beach-West-Coast-Wilderness-Motorhome.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then it was time to hike back into Lake Matheson for sunset.
Even though we’d thought sunrise was fantastic, sunset was even better. The glow that settled over the mountains at sunset went from orange to red then pink and eventually purple. The colour stayed on the mountains and in the clouds long after the sun had set. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To top off one very magical day here, we decided to wait to see the Milky Way rise over the lake. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although there was still dappled cloud around, the stars were clearly visible from behind adding another layer of mystique to this magical place. We left with hearts full and happy, knowing we would never forget this day. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Day 4: Lake Matheson to Cameron Flat</span></h3>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">I couldn't resist just one more trip out to the lake for sunrise, which meant we were either suckers for punishment or just making the utmost of good conditions after driving 7 hours to get here and with no idea when we will next get the chance to return?! The morning didn't disappoint either - it was a totally different sunrise to the day before with some lovely golden light to ooh and aah over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We took our time driving back down the West Coast, stopping first at Lake Paringa to enjoy the solitude and lakeside reflections.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJRo-Ri5cHI5RFlcMwvbxvVwFaNmo5nkHlmO2tSIE1w_eWS28LqA4zFPfr9rtrHKRSkHKf0_FYqJ-RASALz7Ujk4cP3rv0IHclIFqK1igVCqsWvrukLGRd04aU2ovleeGqaLB7yoBTeaj/s1600/lake-paringa-wilderness-motorhome-nz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJRo-Ri5cHI5RFlcMwvbxvVwFaNmo5nkHlmO2tSIE1w_eWS28LqA4zFPfr9rtrHKRSkHKf0_FYqJ-RASALz7Ujk4cP3rv0IHclIFqK1igVCqsWvrukLGRd04aU2ovleeGqaLB7yoBTeaj/s1600/lake-paringa-wilderness-motorhome-nz.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Then it was onwards heading through the Haast Pass, a journey that Dad had only done once in the 1960’s and only partway as the road hadn’t even been completed all the way through the Pass at that point. He is a HUGE fan of the South Island beech forests so he was in his element driving through here.</span><br />
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We stopped at Thunder Creek Falls (one of my favourite waterfalls in the area) and at the Gates of Haast before driving over the summit and back down towards Wanaka through the Makarora Valley.<br />
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We stopped in at the Cameron Flat campsite for afternoon tea and a toilet break, and actually ended up camping there for the night. I had a little bit of work to catch up on and it was such a scenic spot to be in and with no cell phone reception it meant we could really unwind and relax and just enjoy being in the wilderness. Out came the wine and cheese while we enjoyed reminiscing about all the amazing sights we’d seen so far. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90RcFuB4eTsJcj_DVgmb3NfwW3kWkG49RYYV9jGD78F5y91AuhCCA711h0cqgcXMTtPNvzgwLxaV08sB_8KCdhD7eR3Kplsg-i__ideHHkfg7aY_zx13wB7F11NXFBwXGTarQWZ_7x_45/s1600/DSC05168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90RcFuB4eTsJcj_DVgmb3NfwW3kWkG49RYYV9jGD78F5y91AuhCCA711h0cqgcXMTtPNvzgwLxaV08sB_8KCdhD7eR3Kplsg-i__ideHHkfg7aY_zx13wB7F11NXFBwXGTarQWZ_7x_45/s1600/DSC05168.jpg" /></a></div>
Although we were a wee way from civilisation, everything was just so easy in our <a href="https://hubs.ly/H0brWGc0" target="_blank">Wilderness Motorhome</a> because of how well equipped it is - once again the heating came into its own but even more importantly for me the ability to charge the laptop and camera batteries off the 12 volt battery power inverter - I'd never come across this in a motorhome before and it is super handy!<br />
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Day 5: Cameron Flat to Lake Tekapo </h3>
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We didn’t end up getting going on this day until after lunch, and after so many early starts and late nights in a row it felt good to have a relaxed morning where we just enjoyed the changing scenery of the area over several hours.<br />
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The drive down Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea was super scenic but we were on a mission to make it through the Lindis Pass by sunset knowing that snow was forecast overnight. It was so delightful seeing the light play on the hills at this time of day as we stopped in the Pass, and although it wasn’t an amazingly colourful sunset, there is a barren beauty about this place! </div>
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The light fades fast at this time of year so by the time we made it to Twizel it was dark, and although I’d hoped to make it there in time to show Dad the lakes, we had to carry on to Lake Tekapo instead. I was hoping the sky might be clear enough to do some stargazing at the church amongst Tekapo's internationally renowned night skies despite the fact snow was meant to be on the way there too. And even though there was passing cloud, the Milky Way was clearly visible between the clouds and what a beautiful setting it was with the Church of the Good Shepherd in the frame too. I did have to dodge the odd tourist with their torches on but on the whole I was super impressed with the scene, finding that the ambient light in the town made the light a lot more balanced and easy to compose. </div>
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After the clouds rolled in for good, we called it a night and headed out for a restaurant dinner - it was a bit of a decadent treat after a few days of freeze dried dinners and soups in the motorhome.<br />
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Day 6: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch</h3>
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We woke to a dusting of snow on the ground which was enough to need to pour a kettle of water on the windscreen to clear it for driving. It was only a short hop back down to the lake and not long after arriving a TVNZ reporter turned up and asked Dad and me for a comment on the weather though in the end our little clip didn't actually end up being used on the TV later that night. Though the conditions looked pretty average to begin with, after the sun rose a few golden shafts filtered through the silvery snow clouds throwing a lovely light across the lake and the hills dusted with fresh snow.<br />
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Although the incredible colours at sunset at Lake Matheson had been my highlight, Dad declared this moment at Lake Tekapo to be his favourite of the trip, and I'll admit the light was just so engaging we could hardly bear to leave. However, we had a plane to catch later that day and a few hundred miles still to drive so reluctantly we headed off with many a backward glance. </div>
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The drive back through the Mackenzie country was stunning with soft light hitting the hills and sprinkling of snow dusted here and there like icing sugar. I could have stopped so many more times if we’d had all the time in the world but instead reality was waiting.
There were certainly highs and lows on the trip as you’d expect on any good adventure but the biggest highlight for me was witnessing my dad’s visible joy at being back in the mountains that he loves so much. It gave me such a thrill to be able to share with him some of the incredible moments I often get to experience as a photographer where the scenery and light just steals your breath away. He really was the best kind of travelling companion you could ask for, and I do hope we can go on another adventure again together soon! </div>
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<i>Many thanks to <a href="https://hubs.ly/H0brWGc0" target="_blank">Wilderness Motorhomes</a> for providing us the Cruise 4 motorhome to travel in style on our NZ adventure. All thoughts and experiences are my own. </i></div>
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></div>
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Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-36522982265548076992018-05-22T23:53:00.000-07:002018-07-09T15:53:17.453-07:0010 Must-See Waterfalls in New ZealandIf you'd asked me a few years ago to name ten NZ waterfalls (let alone 10 of the best) , I might have struggled. But fast forward a few years into this photography lark, and I make it my mission to go and visit stunning waterfalls whenever I get the chance.<br />
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I'll let you in on a little secret about photographing waterfalls - they look their best on cloudy or rainy days so if you get stuck with some dodgy weather on your travels go waterfall hunting - it's the best time to see them!<br />
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Another thing about waterfall hunting is that it usually involves driving down country roads miles from anywhere in search of the waterfall, and that is half of the fun. I've seen some pretty incredible scenery that I never would have seen were it not for chasing waterfalls. So as much as this post might tell you where some of the best waterfalls in NZ are, please please please keep your eyes open and take in all the beautiful scenery on the way there, I promise you will be amazed!<br />
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<b>1. Bridal Veil Falls</b><br />
If there were prizes for the most beautiful waterfall in NZ, then Bridal Veil Falls might win. The sheer size of the curtain of water that falls from here is impressive, and it definitely suits its name. Although it's an easy walk from the car to the top of the waterfall, the walk down to the base of the falls is steep and according to reliable sources has 261 stairs all the way to the bottom. Don't be fooled into thinking you can stay at the stop for photos, the lovely peekaboo shot at the halfway point and the view from the base of the falls is well worth all the huffing and puffing you might do on the way back up.<br />
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<b>2. Huka Falls</b></h3>
This waterfall is the most likely of any of the waterfalls mentioned to be thronged with tourists on any given day, but it is still a pretty impressive sight visualising what 220,000 litres of water a second looks like flowing through a narrow canyon and tumbling over the edge into the foaming pool below. If you time your visit well, you might even get to see the Huka Jet racing up the river to thrill its riders with some 360 degree spins and turns right at the base of the falls.<br />
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<b>3. Kaiate Falls</b></h3>
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This lovely set of falls is hidden out the back of Papamoa near Tauranga, and what I love about this area is that you get great bang for your buck with a whole range of waterfalls on the 20 minute loop track - the best one in my opinion is the one at the bottom of the track, but they are all worth a visit and the fact you can pretty much reach out and touch some of the waterfalls here makes it all the more appealing.<br />
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<b>4. Kerosene Creek</b></h3>
Whoever heard of a thermal waterfall - only in NZ right?! This magical spot just outside of Rotorua is better known to locals as a thermal swimming hole s much as it is a waterfall. Visit at the right time of the day and you might be lucky enough to catch some lovely sun rays streaming through the forest and bouncing amazing shafts of light off the waterfall and steam it produces.<br />
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<b>5. Marokopa Falls</b></h3>
There's waterfalls and then there's Marokopa. This waterfall pretty much takes the cake in terms of being so impressive that most others pale in comparison. Often there's so much spray taking shots is a real challenge, but on my last visit I was lucky enough to strike a day where there was very little wind and it wasn't blowing straight at the camera. I had it in my head that I wanted to make it all the way down to the river, but I'd heard it can be muddy. That turned out to be the understatement of the year as I literally sank in mud up to my knees on the way down - dodgy as! However once I had started, I was kinda committed to the cause and once you're muddy, you're muddy right?! So glad I had a change of clothes back in the car though! In the bottom shot you can see me and my colourful umbrella dwarfed by the massive waterfall - it is huge!!<br />
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To get to Marokopa Falls head for Waitomo Caves and then just keep on driving - on the way you'll also want to stop in at the Mangapohue Natural Bridge - an awesome feat of nature in the lushest setting.<br />
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<b>6. Owharoa Falls</b></h3>
The drive to Owharoa Falls takes you through Karangahake Gorge, which in itself is worth a stop to hike on the Rail Tunnel loop and the Windows Walk - make sure you have a half day free if you want to see all three! Owharoa Falls is a lovely cascade waterfall that looks beautiful without even having to try. It's also really accessible (only a 2 minute walk from the road) so that can mean it's pretty busy in the summer with lots of people taking a dip in the pool at the base of the falls - if you want to get an uncrowded shot go early or late or in the colder months when no-one is brave enough to be in the water!<br />
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<b>7. Tawhai Falls</b></h3>
Did you know this gorgeous spot was made famous by Gollum in the Lord of the Rings film where he's fishing in the pool - can you remember the scene?! I've only visited this spot once and it was when the river was flowing very high after heavy rain so the water looked incredible without even having to worry too much about taking a long exposure. The Falls can be found on the main road up to the Whakapapa skifield on Mount Ruapehu and is an easy 10 minute walk from the car.<br />
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<b>8. Waiau Falls</b></h3>
What I love most about Waiau Falls is the road to get here - depending on which end of the famous 309 road you take through the Coromandel, you'll either first pass by the amazing Kauri grove with some of NZ's tallest trees in it on the way to the Falls, or you'll pass by the pig farm with all these cute little porkers running free on both sides of the road - they are a sight to see. Make sure you visit Waiau Falls on a day when you have enough time to drive the length of the 309 road - it's well worth it.<br />
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<b>9. Wairere Falls</b></h3>
I need to keep remembering that this is actually my closest waterfall - it's only 40 minutes from home and I've only ever visited it twice and still haven't been to the top - I need to remedy that! What I love about Wairere Falls is that the track on the way to the Falls is in my opinion as lovely if not lovelier than the view of the falls themselves. I get terribly distracted along the way at some of the beautiful mini waterfalls and rapids and I'm lucky if I'll ever make it to the lookout at the 45 minute mark, let alone to the top!<br />
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<b>10. Waitanguru Falls</b></h3>
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This gem of a waterfall is hidden down a scenic road 20km from Pio Pio in the middle of nowhere. If you have time on the way there you can also stop in at Hairy Feet to see some of the amazing Hobbit locations (you know it's gotta be scenic if Peter Jackson used it!), but also make sure you leave enough time to spend some time admiring the beautiful flow. It's only a five minute walk from the car and the setting is gorgeous - almost in a hidden grotto.<br />
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I realised after writing this that I've literally only scratched the surface with waterfalls within an hour or two drive from home - there are so many others that deserve the limelight too so watch this space for another Best Waterfalls of NZ post coming soon.<br />
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<b><i>Let's keep NZ beautiful</i></b><br />
<i>If you are visiting any of these beautiful locations in New Zealand, please respect the natural environment when you go and make sure you leave only footprints behind.</i><br />
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To view more images or to purchase prints, visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-70947275124672131322018-04-29T03:24:00.000-07:002018-05-21T03:05:33.085-07:00Five AMAZING reasons to cruise on Symphony of the Seas with Royal Caribbean<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">It's cruising but definitely not as you know it! Forget anything you've ever thought about going a cruise because <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas" target="_blank">Symphony of the Seas</a> blows this right out of the water. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">When <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/" target="_blank">Royal Caribbean</a> asked me to join them on the maiden voyage of <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas?icid=mrchsy_conten_stl_hm_tactic_749" target="_blank">Symphony of the Seas</a> around the Mediterranean, it wasn't a hard decision! In the weeks leading up to the cruise, t</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">here was huge media coverage about the launch of the world's largest cruise ship that even reached our national news here in NZ and fuelled our excitement further. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Here's five reasons <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas" target="_blank">Symphony of the Seas</a> is the best family experience you could ever have at sea:</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">1. This ship has EVERYTHING you can imagine (and more!)</span></h3>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">I'll always remember our first glimpse of Symphony of the Seas as we crossed over the bridge to the port in Barcelona, I really wasn’t prepared for just how big it was At 18 decks high and a length of 360 metres (that's 3 football fields long people!), from the moment you step on board it's like entering an incredible city that just happens to be floating along with up to 6,800 people and over 2,000 crew! But it never felt too busy either (I hate crowds), I don't think you'd ever have known there were thousands of people sailing along with you. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">The ship has 7 neighbourhoods and 19 restaurants and our stateroom was near Central Park which housed some of the best restaurants and cafes. We had an</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"> ocean view room with balcony and it was surprisingly spacious - the couch turned into separate trundle beds for the two kids and there was plenty of room for us to put our luggage away so we always felt like we had oodles of space. One of my favourite moments was waking up and standing on the balcony to see the ship coming into port in a brand new country or city every day - such a cool feeling!</span>
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<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q7P_onAkktZ9JOAh900KgiJhjr9AZq8HycXRnKO6e5aQNfjBt9E04VtPROXA1V8WC3ieEzkseX1Ti7F0e4zKN3rV7UXnITxU5EiAD8NkCFwYNojrvxLs5cf8hny7hLmmd_vWzPWRn46p/s1600/stateroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q7P_onAkktZ9JOAh900KgiJhjr9AZq8HycXRnKO6e5aQNfjBt9E04VtPROXA1V8WC3ieEzkseX1Ti7F0e4zKN3rV7UXnITxU5EiAD8NkCFwYNojrvxLs5cf8hny7hLmmd_vWzPWRn46p/s640/stateroom.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">After welcoming in the new day, we would head straight to Central Park, usually for a breakfast bagel in Park Cafe. Walking through the Park is like walking in a tranquil inner city space with real trees and birds chirping overhead. That is, until you look up and see the water slides towering high above and you remember <i>'hang on a minute I’m actually on a ship????!'</i></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxH37mhzmRhldRVC2kxYvgFqJYw-_0rS-IKxsUCFlQOJliEgRK0KrSq7_LjN2L-1vZwRCu1bBSI3veg4-_FO3IA0G789PMCk6GsrntbzNEx5jxmTGJ8HEuQqr2EycDCO92BmePexdCAaN/s1600/neighbourhoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxH37mhzmRhldRVC2kxYvgFqJYw-_0rS-IKxsUCFlQOJliEgRK0KrSq7_LjN2L-1vZwRCu1bBSI3veg4-_FO3IA0G789PMCk6GsrntbzNEx5jxmTGJ8HEuQqr2EycDCO92BmePexdCAaN/s640/neighbourhoods.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">A highlight of the week was getting a sneak peek into the Ultimate Family Suite (a brand new suite that’s only available on <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas" target="_blank">Symphony of the Seas</a>). The kids had a field day trying out the slide from the bedroom down to the living area, playing Giant Connect 4 and checking out the games consoles. The suite comes equipped with its own hot tub and kids climbing wall outside as well as its own Royal Genie who looks after the family’s every wish during the week. I need one of those at home</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">I think!</span>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">2. You will NEVER EVER be bored</span></h3>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Do you have kids who go stir crazy indoors? Send them off to the sports court to play football or basketball. If you’re an exercise bunny who doesn’t want to miss a daily workout, head down to the gym or the outdoor jogging track. And if you love the thrill of adrenaline action, grab a ride on the zip line 10 stories high or race down the Ultimate Abyss (the world’s tallest slide at sea) at break neck speed - you’re guaranteed to let out a few shrieks of excitement along the way. </span>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">We only had one full day at sea at the end of the cruise but there was also time in the afternoons and evenings once we were back on the ship to explore all that was on offer like rock climbing, mini golf and laser tag. And the weather certainly saved its best till last with a glorious blue sky day as we cruised from Naples back to Barcelona so we could enjoy the waterslides and Flow Rider.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60bP0xgdpDhzOyZS17OAhWgGuTc0P4HWeJrVZZHUWcThgaVXVUR3B5UawvcHDqbxhZNYwwuwLMjo_zjaF6OEDLyWzawR5AH8op3phwE5Bt0wa7WcpPb5WREc1oPh18eF8yLMAATyXYkIk/s1600/symphony_of_the_seas_rock_climbing_zipline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60bP0xgdpDhzOyZS17OAhWgGuTc0P4HWeJrVZZHUWcThgaVXVUR3B5UawvcHDqbxhZNYwwuwLMjo_zjaF6OEDLyWzawR5AH8op3phwE5Bt0wa7WcpPb5WREc1oPh18eF8yLMAATyXYkIk/s640/symphony_of_the_seas_rock_climbing_zipline.jpg" width="425" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrX8iZYMezbCZt_QHoiY8xmkbYiJ9MWUb9XvYPfxBcnTQRQI48qmoRef9axRv3isp-6tX8MansF0gSsVVZ7WHFBeujRUiVuAhTRxdpmk57_wHN8oSdVmPoiA48trNUDg7UZY2g4Rto7dl/s1600/symphony_of_the_seas_flowrider_minigolf_waterslides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrX8iZYMezbCZt_QHoiY8xmkbYiJ9MWUb9XvYPfxBcnTQRQI48qmoRef9axRv3isp-6tX8MansF0gSsVVZ7WHFBeujRUiVuAhTRxdpmk57_wHN8oSdVmPoiA48trNUDg7UZY2g4Rto7dl/s640/symphony_of_the_seas_flowrider_minigolf_waterslides.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">When daylight fades <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas" target="_blank">Symphony of the Seas</a> becomes even more beautiful at night, and the fun doesn't stop there. There are so many entertainment options you're unlikely to find yourself in bed much before midnight: a magic show, acapella music, ice skating, Hairspray musical and the amazing Aqua Nation,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"> a brilliant combination of diving, acrobatics and tight rope walking presented by a group of talented multi national performers. The two tightrope walkers were my favourite. Not only did they perform an amazing act on flexible tightrope bands just above the water, later they walked across a high-wire tightrope a few stories above our heads which is no mean feat considering we were on a moving ship.</span>
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<h3>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><b>3. You will see so many INCREDIBLE PLACES </b></span></h3>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">It’s hard to pick a favourite spot from our daily shore excursions as each day seemed to be better than the last. The coastal towns along the Cinque Terre and Amalfi coasts of Italy really stole my heart, and I wish we’d had more than just a few hours there! Seeing the colourful rows of houses perched precariously on the side of cliffs dropping down into the Mediterranean Sea was a visual feast, not to mention driving the amazing roads with sweeping panoramic vistas around every corner.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"> Here are a few highlights from our excursions:</span>
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<h4>
<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Drach Caves & Palma - Mallorca</span></h4>
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The caves are at the north of the island of Mallorca and are vast, rivalling any cave system I've ever seen hosting the largest underground lake in the world and the clarity of the water and the number of stalactites and mites were incredible. Afterwards we spent some time wandering the streets near the beautiful cathedral in Palma de Mallorca. </div>
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<h4>
Cassis & Marseille - France </h4>
The pretty fishing village of Cassis lies east of Marseille and is the gateway to the beautiful Calanques National Park created in 2012 - a vision of contrasts with sheer white cliffs dropping down into brilliant turquoise bays, some only accessible by boat. I could have wondered the narrow streets of Cassis with its colourful houses and doorways all day but it was time to head back into Marseille where the sun finally came out and we enjoyed the panoramic views from Notre-Dame de la Garde - the basilica high above the city and drove back to the ship via Palais Longchamp - an incredible monument with waterfall - that scratched my waterfall itch!
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<h4>
Portovenere and Cinque Terre - Italy</h4>
We started our explorations in the port of Portovenere before jumping aboard a boat to explore the whole coastline of Cinque Terre - the best vantage point to appreciate the beauty of these towns clinging to the Italian hillside. Unfortunately the weather was a bit challenging that day and the raincoats and umbrellas came in very handy. It didn't detract from the beauty of the place and the fact it was our birthday on this day (yes hubby and I share the same birthday and it's still WEIRD after 20 years together!) made this outing even more special.
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<h4>
Rome - Italy</h4>
What can I say about Rome? It's one of those places that is both overwhelming and hugely impressive at the same time. The day we visited was rather busy as the Pope had an audience outside St Peters basilica but we made the best of the day with a walking tour through the city. As amazing as all the great sights were they were also rammed with tourists and we found wandering the little side streets the most enjoyable part - never knowing what you'd find like a shop selling papal robes and men packing fresh fish on ice. The kids also loved the opportunity to send a postcard from the Vatican City (the smallest country in the world) back to their schools in New Zealand.<br />
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<h4>
Amalfi Coast - Italy</h4>
The drive from Naples along the Amalfi Coast is jaw-dropping gorgeous around every corner and although we only had enough time to explore the town of Positano it was enough to give us a tantalising flavour of this coastline. John Steinbeck famously quoted <i>'Positano bites deep. It's a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone'</i>. So true.
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">4. Eating and drinking is an EXPERIENCE</span></h3>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">It doesn't matter whether you're a seafood lover or a pasta fiend, there's something for everyone onboard <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas" target="_blank">Symphony of the Seas</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">That meant we hardly saw our kids the whole week (some would say that was a good thing!). They made firm friends early on with two kids their age and the four of them hung out together, going off to Windjammer for a buffet dinner fit for kings. I’m pretty sure no vegetables were consumed the entire week, all I heard was talk about the chocolate fountain and crepe making stations. After that they’d go have a blast at Adventure Ocean (the kids club) in the evenings.</span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">This meant Mark and I had several meals out as a couple (that never happens) which was bliss! Of the free options the Solarium bistro was my favourite with its upmarket offerings like mozzarella and cherry tomato skewers and macarons for dessert. Though Jamie’s Italian came a close second (pictures above), the highlight of the week was the visual and gastronomical feast at Wonderland we had for our combined birthday dinner (pictured below). It’s hard to describe what the unusual combinations of food flavours and presentations were like but as The Mad Hatter said to us on the night ‘<i>it’s like going down the rabbit hole</i>’ and it really was as if we had found ourselves eating in an alternate fantasy universe. It'll be hard to beat that for a birthday meal as long as we live! The day was topped off further when we discovered our room decked out in birthday decorations and a bottle of bubbly on ice waiting for us. Talk about spoilt!</span>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76Ps8zyS3Qgzsf9w1fef_Zq419oA3uGKWhPCsctJWoW2K0rVmwqXXjhp3D6gyL7RewWWLVbe8PzL11dr5HG4AW5-IcKTkFyJ2pT9ASkZc2eYhI4cHCAGVaEyUK8FWLhWrb8m3hlbCxBhO/s1600/symphony_of_the_seas_wonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76Ps8zyS3Qgzsf9w1fef_Zq419oA3uGKWhPCsctJWoW2K0rVmwqXXjhp3D6gyL7RewWWLVbe8PzL11dr5HG4AW5-IcKTkFyJ2pT9ASkZc2eYhI4cHCAGVaEyUK8FWLhWrb8m3hlbCxBhO/s640/symphony_of_the_seas_wonderland.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">We only discovered the Bionic Bar about 4 days into the cruise, and were kicking ourselves we didn’t try it sooner. Rocking up to a table with its own device, you simply choose a drink from well-known cocktails (alcoholic or not) or make up your own version with ingredients and the very efficient robots jive away in the background making your drink and delivering it effortlessly in under a couple of minutes. It was kinda addictive!</span>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z7MxnnGjQRhodh2KpqSTs54mTgxKr8C4kJd0MWoGTDN20GCkvzU1VKCVtO1XT3Ik8zBp_QryqTWpGWJC0luGJDpomfj8cUY67z8TqigXzVSthHubn0hGDj6Lzhpk24vs7WtzmWukzQdS/s1600/symphony_of_the_seas_bionic_bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z7MxnnGjQRhodh2KpqSTs54mTgxKr8C4kJd0MWoGTDN20GCkvzU1VKCVtO1XT3Ik8zBp_QryqTWpGWJC0luGJDpomfj8cUY67z8TqigXzVSthHubn0hGDj6Lzhpk24vs7WtzmWukzQdS/s640/symphony_of_the_seas_bionic_bar.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">5. You won't want to LEAVE!</span></h3>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">There was so much to explore onboard Symphony of the Seas that we barely scratched the surface in a week, I think you’d need at least twice as long to experience everything and have your fill. One thing is for sure, the time flew by at a much faster rate of knots than the ship was cruising along at and we weren’t ready to disembark after just a week. But what a week it was! </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Here's a few last tips to make the most of your time:</span><br />
<ul>
<li style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Everything is made easy with your Seapass card. Not only does it act as a credit card if you want to purchase extras while while onboard, but it also acts as your passport when disembarking in different countries.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"> Just don't lose it like we nearly did when one of the kids dropped theirs in the Drach Caves on our first excursion!</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Plan in advance for the specialty restaurants and shows you want to see and book these as soon as you get onboard. Being novices, we just cruised along (pardon the pun) for the first couple of days and then found it tricky to try and fit everything in. We did manage to walk into a few shows and restaurants but plan ahead and you'll have more chance to do everything you want.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">If you're worried about the ship movement, please don't! Most of the time you wouldn’t have known we were moving, there was only 1 night where we felt a bit of a roll while sleeping which I likened to sleeping on a waterbed, and the sound proofing on board was great - we never heard a thing from our room.</span></li>
</ul>
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It's hard to do justice to this incredible experience in words alone so I'll leave you with a short video that does a grand job showing off just how incredible our time onboard <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/symphony-of-the-seas" target="_blank">Symphony of the Seas</a> was.<br />
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<i>This post is sponsored by <a href="https://www.royalcaribbean.com/" target="_blank">Royal Caribbean</a> but all thoughts and experiences are my own.</i>
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</style>Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-38816526644716578352018-03-17T21:41:00.000-07:002018-05-21T03:06:43.016-07:00Four reasons why I choose to use Haida FiltersHave you ever wondered how photographers can create stunning images combining moving water and clouds in a lighting environment where there is high contrast between the foreground and sky?<br />
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Images like these below are made possible with the use of a <b>graduated neutral density filter</b> to even out the sky and foreground and a <b>neutral density filter</b> allowing photos to be taken at much slower shutter speeds to capture the movement of clouds or water more smoothly.<br />
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<i>Shutter speed 20 seconds, f /9.0, ISO100</i></div>
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<i>Haida NanoPro MC ND1.8 Filter </i></div>
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<i>Haida ProII MC Soft Graduated 0.9 Filter </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcpB-av_TvegDDq_wmuIvBWhabgWMnujVJ2zpyGdcRQT1HRv2Ho4bmI9zbPmgQT6zFxVc318z7iDHMqa_oI4PE0VR4j-hGvWVlkCaSWx3jZmyecaUdb7QJIKATiMb6eZDF0rIGbVfuYtG/s1600/DSC09545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcpB-av_TvegDDq_wmuIvBWhabgWMnujVJ2zpyGdcRQT1HRv2Ho4bmI9zbPmgQT6zFxVc318z7iDHMqa_oI4PE0VR4j-hGvWVlkCaSWx3jZmyecaUdb7QJIKATiMb6eZDF0rIGbVfuYtG/s640/DSC09545.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<i>Shutter speed 76 seconds, f / 8.0, ISO 200</i></div>
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<i>Haida NanoPro MC ND3.0 Filter </i></div>
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<i>Haida ProII MC Soft Graduated 0.9 Filter </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpl_GGXG3uU3nNZG5UMXdYZo7cLlPe_kD1jGmbR27bo5xle-eYADenHMBCkhOCZXjvF4XPMn9Mm2IWhlSqD3PLIoJ-kPUd95jmlzQ7FEAJsvF9jwGZx9WS-T_leHmN0TQ3W680LjSDTM_/s1600/DSC09391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpl_GGXG3uU3nNZG5UMXdYZo7cLlPe_kD1jGmbR27bo5xle-eYADenHMBCkhOCZXjvF4XPMn9Mm2IWhlSqD3PLIoJ-kPUd95jmlzQ7FEAJsvF9jwGZx9WS-T_leHmN0TQ3W680LjSDTM_/s640/DSC09391.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<i>Shutter speed: 30 seconds, f / 7.1, ISO 200</i></div>
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<i>Haida NanoPro MC ND3.0 Filter </i></div>
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<i>Haida ProII MC Soft Graduated 0.9 Filter </i></div>
<h3>
<b><br /></b><b>Benefits of using the 100-PRO series <a href="http://www.haidaphoto.com/en/index.php" target="_blank">Haida Filter System</a></b></h3>
A square filter system like Haida's enables you to stack multiple filters on top of each other for the best effect. It's also easily transferable between lenses so long as you have the correct size adapter ring for each lens size.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlEHRf62PAVnBRDn82euyBPzs-lMzx_kMSNW9Qh_4bH5q_g03Ii-NGu-xMUqVFNL7zpNbJqNajqVNENnaDTo2jTyoJyQuyMgT1v78c8n1j6hfcPQQkfQ-g-_5oIrFhl6OfomNskRnn9tJ/s1600/IMG_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlEHRf62PAVnBRDn82euyBPzs-lMzx_kMSNW9Qh_4bH5q_g03Ii-NGu-xMUqVFNL7zpNbJqNajqVNENnaDTo2jTyoJyQuyMgT1v78c8n1j6hfcPQQkfQ-g-_5oIrFhl6OfomNskRnn9tJ/s640/IMG_0036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Haida 100-PRO Series Filter </i></div>
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<i>Haida NanoPro MC ND1.8 Filter </i></div>
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<i>Haida ProII MC Soft Graduated 0.9 Filter </i></div>
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In the shot below, you can see the before and after with no filters and using filters. These are RAW images with no other editing in Lightroom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4zMKUx4w5X2qRv3BuIButZt7gvNr2PXx74vNet8ijtzK3Mv2xBJIpPgPZz0E3vxGGied3YnjSCfprp-y1wgTHeTRH0O-O9PNk88o4NBJSh7CXUzZaUVRBjbEwQn1jmjP_aVEqlHmqi_f/s1600/Waterfallbeforeandafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1206" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4zMKUx4w5X2qRv3BuIButZt7gvNr2PXx74vNet8ijtzK3Mv2xBJIpPgPZz0E3vxGGied3YnjSCfprp-y1wgTHeTRH0O-O9PNk88o4NBJSh7CXUzZaUVRBjbEwQn1jmjP_aVEqlHmqi_f/s640/Waterfallbeforeandafter.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
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The final edited image shows the benefit of using both a graduated and ND1.8 (6-stop) filter to create the even sky and foreground plus smooth water effect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_gX2IuaYHFCDEOys5Dd9dQllLythbGFp6DzwDqHmvIz_SlIAQwtDiUaFrdiaJsFPwGVwXIeqse9OW9GpefWvHPxpzY267QMv1-kb__jfqQQ1WClNXH-Mg5VY-DCmGRb_ls4hpqkyLDZX/s1600/DSC09212+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_gX2IuaYHFCDEOys5Dd9dQllLythbGFp6DzwDqHmvIz_SlIAQwtDiUaFrdiaJsFPwGVwXIeqse9OW9GpefWvHPxpzY267QMv1-kb__jfqQQ1WClNXH-Mg5VY-DCmGRb_ls4hpqkyLDZX/s640/DSC09212+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Which Filter System to Use?</b><br />
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The best filter systems allow for a generic filter holder which can hold multiple stacked square/rectangular filters and can be easily switched over with the addition of a specific filter ring for the size of lens you are using.<br />
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I had been using a square filter system for years but became frustrated with the quality of the neutral density filters as they seemed to produce images with a severe blue colour cast. This was especially noticeable when using the ND3.0 (10-stop) filter during sunrise and sunset when I wanted hues that enhanced the orange, yellow or red tones in the sky but also capture the movement in the clouds during this time.<br />
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Recently, I had the opportunity to review Haida Filters, and I have been incredibly impressed with both the ease of their filter holder set up and the superb quality of the images they produce.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcaKDdaXBxyjCfM1cN9pnMqJv7tEtSqdc8l6J7mZZIxDaPsBElL_C8Ib-d2O2ROGbN6qltA4Hgixp7oG_w9qkaFsztHwLMPn9Nn-k8YBBnvd2ft9Jiy1aIkHrJAGavHrkQ78cOe4ongTh/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcaKDdaXBxyjCfM1cN9pnMqJv7tEtSqdc8l6J7mZZIxDaPsBElL_C8Ib-d2O2ROGbN6qltA4Hgixp7oG_w9qkaFsztHwLMPn9Nn-k8YBBnvd2ft9Jiy1aIkHrJAGavHrkQ78cOe4ongTh/s640/IMG_0060.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWecSk_eKyYAPeBLXmc_Ycn1forgILHyIp3-B2iPTVj0jofvtZHCa7VS_Pxr6XktX1q_jkV08DYW2QNWbFtgcR48bos3hF7yu-IIQR8NvXwJMZh-lk0ANPrNVtacjuXNWwqj8UEEWEN8Yp/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWecSk_eKyYAPeBLXmc_Ycn1forgILHyIp3-B2iPTVj0jofvtZHCa7VS_Pxr6XktX1q_jkV08DYW2QNWbFtgcR48bos3hF7yu-IIQR8NvXwJMZh-lk0ANPrNVtacjuXNWwqj8UEEWEN8Yp/s640/IMG_0063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<b>Four Reasons why I use <a href="http://www.haidaphoto.com/en/index.php" target="_blank">Haida Filters</a></b></h3>
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<b>1. Filter holder system - easy to install and secure</b></h3>
The all-in one screw-in holder system is incredibly easy to install on your camera compared to some other systems where you first have to screw on the filter ring and then use a clip system that opens and releases to attach the actual holder itself. The Haida system can screw onto the camera quickly in one easy action.<br />
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It also makes the whole set up far more secure. I found this out the hard way with my old system when I was standing on the edge of a cliff photographing a waterfall and I accidentally knocked the holder against a fence. The clip released itself and my holder and 6-stop filter disappeared off the cliff never to be seen again!!<br />
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To say I was devastated was an understatement. However, this can't happen with the Haida system as you screw in the entire system to your lens and then to tighten or release you also use the little pin screw on the side - it is so much safer!<br />
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<h3>
<b>2. Colours are true to life - no colour cast</b></h3>
One of the main reasons I wanted to try Haida Filters was because of their accurate colours even when using the ND 3.0 (10-stop) filter. As I mentioned before, I'd been disappointed with how blue my images became using the neutral density filters of my old system. You can see from the images below that the Haida system provides much truer colours across the colour hues - results from the old ND3.0 filter at the top and the Haida ND3.0 filter at the bottom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpZ081DIylsEOtmD-ctzi5ytI9EQ00DCuE4JyXp08iK0gUuKmNnWm_gn7E_VMkIvgj46jtugAXDUdchreLb6o-LmOQsiGH9p8EEG-nsk3Jcxni7uPNtwRBN9FvEQhdtY9BZiwnlFs63lJ/s1600/oldvhaida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpZ081DIylsEOtmD-ctzi5ytI9EQ00DCuE4JyXp08iK0gUuKmNnWm_gn7E_VMkIvgj46jtugAXDUdchreLb6o-LmOQsiGH9p8EEG-nsk3Jcxni7uPNtwRBN9FvEQhdtY9BZiwnlFs63lJ/s640/oldvhaida.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<b>3. Multi-coated, optical glass filters - easy to clean and repel water</b></h3>
Haida filters are ultra thin, multi-coated optical glass which means that they can repel dirt and water and are harder to scratch than standard glass or resin filters. This is particularly good news when photographing in places like the beach or waterfalls where you're likely to get water on the filters even when you're being careful. The multi-coating makes the filters very easy to clean even if you do get any water on them so you're not left with unsightly smear marks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbQbP4phnLeyllX8w_U36d-FstSypB9-Y5fjPU5T8VGYBGyUnz5ksvRSpPf_BVivd3NZEFttOXrFIfeHOd8iyQdODgxcJJgsXta6qGXlnjFMJNaQEz8vdGOGb4Nre8pHQMMJl49I7Ri4S/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbQbP4phnLeyllX8w_U36d-FstSypB9-Y5fjPU5T8VGYBGyUnz5ksvRSpPf_BVivd3NZEFttOXrFIfeHOd8iyQdODgxcJJgsXta6qGXlnjFMJNaQEz8vdGOGb4Nre8pHQMMJl49I7Ri4S/s640/IMG_0053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Haida 100-PRO Series Filter </i></div>
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<i>Haida Graduated ND Filter 0.9</i></div>
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<h3>
<b>4. Affordability</b></h3>
You'll also find Haida Filters are super affordable when compared to any of the other well-known square filter systems available like Nisi or Lee. Costing up the same items I have (filter holder, one filter ring, and 3 filters (ND3.0 ND1.8 and graduated 0.9) with Haida was 40-50% cheaper!<br />
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<h3>
<b>Where to buy Haida Filters</b></h3>
Haida Filters are available to buy online through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=haida+100mm+filter&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ahaida+100mm+filter" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and will soon be available directly in NZ too. I'm also thrilled to be NZ's FIRST Haida ambassador because I believe these filters are top quality, easy to use and also represent great value.<br />
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If you have any questions about using Haida Filters or filters in general, I'd love to hear from you! Comment below or drop me an email via my <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/" target="_blank">Contact page</a>.Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-85527569702453893382018-02-05T20:46:00.002-08:002018-05-21T04:28:03.027-07:00A New Zealand family campervan adventure with Apollo MotorhomesHi, my name is Meghan and I think I might be a campervan addict!<br />
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Last year I went on 2 campervan holidays and as soon as I got home I just had to start planning the next one! There is no feeling like being on the road, exploring wherever you want and pulling up in some of the most scenic locations in the world to sit down for gourmet homemade pizza cooked in the camper or to wake up in the morning and open the curtains to mountain views to die for.<br />
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We rented a 6-berth Star RV motorhome through the Apollo Motorhome branch at Christchurch Airport and soon we were off on our first leg after stocking up on supplies from the Countdown supermarket conveniently located right by the airport. And so the adventure began!<br />
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Day 1: Christchurch - Castle Hill - Lake Pearson</h2>
We arrived at Castle Hill mid afternoon to a sprinkling of snow in the mountains. I'd been wanting to visit the incredible rock formations here for a long time, and Castle Hill didn't disappoint. The boys were happy playing hide and seek and army amongst all the rocks while I photographed the outcropping of rocks in the lovely golden afternoon light. The mountains with a dusting of snow behind framed the rocks beautifully, and did you know that this location was used in the film The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe? It wasn't hard to imagine. I could have stayed here all day but it was onwards to Lake Pearson for our first night camping out.<br />
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On the way we saw the sky light up in the most incredible fiery show during sunset - we literally pulled over on the side of the road to get this shot while the sky went all nuclear.<br />
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The campsite at Lake Pearson was rustic, as you'd expect with an unpowered site but what a spot. While everyone was getting ready for bed for the night I snuck out and captured a few shots of the night sky - it was so clear and crisp amongst the mountains that I knew we were in for a chilly night! Can you see the shooting stars in the shot below?<br />
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I can't think of a more lovely spot to park up under the night sky for the night.<br />
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<h2>
Day 2: Lake Pearson - Arthurs Pass - Hokitika Gorge - Lake Matheson</h2>
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We woke up to a crisp -2 degree morning, and I snuck out while it was still dark to capture the sunrise. The lake levels were too high and the position not quite the right angle for sunrise, so I headed out onto the road and watched in amazement as candy floss colour splashed across the sky - it was by far the most impressive sunrise of the trip!<br />
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From Lake Pearson we we drove to Arthurs Pass - the drive through here is incredibly lovely, scenic around every corner - I especially love this view of the long straight road leading into the mountains.<br />
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We stopped in Arthurs Pass for a coffee as I'd been wanting to visit Devils Punchbowl Falls and at an hour return trip it was a manageable walk for our boys aged 8 and 11. I'd also promised them we'd see kea in this area so we were all a bit disappointed there were none to be found in the village itself.<br />
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But we remedied that when we stopped a little further down the road at the Otira viaduct - there were kea galore!<br />
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The viaduct is a very impressive man made feat completed in 1999, and it has made the drive through this area so much safer from the constant threat of rockfall. It was lovely to visit on a blue sky day, I've heard many a traveller say they have only driven through here in terrible weather so we were pretty fortunate.<br />
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This little fellow was cheekily hopping around all over the place with his mates - it was our first encounter of the holiday but not the last - we ran into more of his mates in Milford Sound too!<br />
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After reaching the west coast, we turned south and made it to Hokitika in time for lunch and to stock up some supplies. At the last minute we made a decision to head inland to Hokitika Gorge - and I'm so glad we did. This was my favourite unexpected highlight of the trip - I had no idea this place was going to be so magical and so vibrant, full of the most amazing aqua colour.<br />
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Even the road to the gorge was scenic with lots of dog leg corners and view of the Southern Alps stretching out in front of us. The weather turned gradually cloudier as we made our way south towards the glaciers and Lake Matheson.<br />
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It was my first time visiting Lake Matheson and somewhere that's been on my bucket list for an awfully long time. Unfortunately there was both a lot of cloud around and a breeze blowing which made it challenging conditions. But even just being in this spot had me buzzing!<br />
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There was no lack of colour in the sky despite the lack of a clear mountain view. A special moment indeed.<br />
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We camped the night at the Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park which was pretty luxurious compared to our first night, and I crossed my fingers for a better view at sunrise.<br />
<h2>
Day 3: Lake Matheson - Haast Pass - Wanaka</h2>
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We woke to pouring rain, and I wondered if that meant kissing sunrise goodbye. As we parked up at the carpark, the rain stopped so I made the half hour walk round the lake, running the last five minutes as I saw the sky about to light up.<br />
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The mountains played peek-a-boo all through sunrise, and whilst I still didn't get the amazing clear reflections I'd been hoping for, there was something pretty incredible about this view.<br />
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Our journey then took us through the Haast Pass. I don't know what I had been expecting but the pass was incredible and exceeded all our expectations. We stopped at Thunder Creek Falls for lunch, marvelling at the amazing aqua colour of the water, not marvelling quite so much at the sandflies that found us.<br />
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Next stop was Fantail Falls - they really did suit their name fanning out from a hidden nook in the bush.<br />
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The last stop of the day was the Blue Pools - they are truly a sight to see - the water colour is incredible. This was one of the busiest spots we visited - despite the fact it was school holidays it really hadn't felt super busy anywhere else so it was surprising to see so many people on this walk.<br />
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There were a few brave souls taking a dip but even more impressive was watching a group of keen lads get hold of a massive boulder, heave it onto the swing bridge and drop it over the edge.<br />
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The giant splash it made resounded through the canyon.<br />
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We drove down between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea through The Neck. It was a really windy afternoon but the clear skies gave us great views!<br />
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After reaching Wanaka, we pulled up at Lakeview Holiday Park and I headed down to the lake for sunset. I didn't have high hopes as it was incredibly breezy but there was just enough light coming through to give the sky an incredible orange purple glow.<br />
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It is probably a little cliche to shoot at the famous Wanaka tree but it was a very easy choice with the campervan parked up less than a kilometre away - meaning the boys could all hang out while I did my thing. You'd never know it from these shots but there were at least 20 photographers lined up here trying to shoot on this evening. This is one popular spot!<br />
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<h2>
Day 4: Wanaka - Queenstown</h2>
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At the risk of sounding repetitive, I headed back down to the tree for sunrise as I could leave the rest of the family sleeping - it was still less than ideal with a stiff breeze blowing. But the clear skies were a pleasant change from the clouds the night before, and the first light hitting the mountains behind with a soft pink glow.</div>
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After 2 days clocking up some serious miles we decided to make this a cruisier day for the boys to enjoy - visiting Puzzling World in Wanaka and then heading on to Queenstown for a round of mini golf. </div>
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Puzzling World was cool - man it really messes with your mind. And the outdoor maze gave us a good bit of exercise as we had to figure out a way through.</div>
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Mid afternoon, we headed up Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, stopping at the Bennetts Bluff lookout to admire the view. Unfortunately, it was also incredibly windy here and it didn't feel terribly safe lingering with our big camper too long.<br />
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I'd hoped to shoot sunset at Glenorchy, but the wind was way too strong and was almost blowing the tripod over so we made for our next night's accomodation at Moke Lake. I'd stayed here once before and really wanted to show the family this gorgeous spot tucked away in the hills behind Queenstown. I was also hoping it would be a little more sheltered here, and it was. We parked up under the watchful gaze of a full moon whilst I regaled the family with the story of how I'd locked myself into the toilet only to find myself having a close encounter with a possum behind the toilet bowl in the dark on my last visit - it was funny retelling the story now but definitely not so funny at the time.<br />
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<h2>
Day 5: Queenstown - Milford Sound</h2>
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Morning brought a little colour to the lake in an incredibly peaceful place. We had a big day of driving today, having made the decision to drive to Milford Sound. We knew that the forecast that day was for a lot of rain but took a punt on the forecast for the following day which promised clear skies. </div>
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The closer we got to Milford Sound the more we knew the weather predictions were bang on. Fiordland was living up to its moody predictions. It was almost like the minute we hit the border of the National Park, the heavens opened - you can see it ahead of us in this shot below.<br />
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It wasn't easy to take shots along the way - for a start the rain was pretty heavy, and most of the good vantage points where you could really get a sense of the waterfalls raging where in 'no-stopping' zones - there are plenty of these along the drive due to the risk of avalanche and rockfall. But believe me we were in absolute awe at the waterfalls just pouring down around us on both sides of the road - it's a sight I'll not forget.<br />
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By the time we reached the Milford Sound Rainforest Lodge campervan park, the skies had cleared. But the waterfalls were still barrelling down the hills wherever they could find a path - these shots were taken literally a few steps from where we parked up for the night - what an incredible setting.<br />
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I was determined to try and get some sort of sunset despite the inclement weather, and we did in fact manage to spend nearly an hour down near Mitre Peak enjoying the fast moving cloud action and the roar of Lady Bowen Falls overflowing with a tonne of water before the rain returned. Hubby then did himself proud in the campervan back at the campsite managing to cook us all gourmet pizzas before we turned in for the night.<br />
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<h2>
Day 6: Milford Sound - Queenstown</h2>
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For once the weather forecast was on point and the next morning dawned brilliantly clear with just a hint of pink cloud streaking the sky.</div>
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It was my first time seeing this area under brilliant blue skies and it really did blow me away. For a few moments it was all I could do to soak in the fact I was here in this very moment. Can you see the cruise ship sailing into the Sound for sunrise? Doesn't it look tiny compared to the scale of those epic peaks!<br />
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Trusting in the weather forecast, we had decided to take a cruise on the Sound to see its splendour up close. Lucky for us, going a day after heavy rain meant a few temporary waterfalls were still flowing.<br />
One thing that I didn't expect to see though, was the incredible shafts of light that found their way into the Sound. I'm sure that going out on the very first cruise of the day when the sun was still low in the sky helped to capture the rays more than a journey out in the middle of the day.<br />
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The best bit according to my boys was the chance to get a soaking underneath Stirling Falls - it was a freezing cold, crisp day and it meant they had to brave being wet through for the return leg, but I'm told it was well worth it. I stayed at a safe distance to capture it on camera!<br />
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By the time we docked at the jetty, the sky was full of incredible swirly clouds and the tide had come in making gorgeous mirror image reflections of Mitre Peak for us to admire on our walk back to the campervan.<br />
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The drive out of Fiordland was the polar opposite of the day before, sadly we didn't have time to stop in as many places as we would have liked because the clock was against us. I'd arranged to meet a photographer friend in Queenstown for sunset so we made tracks all the way back.</div>
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It was great to see another vantage point of Queenstown I hadn't been before - this taken from near Jack's Point - with the Remarkables behind and a clear view south down the lake it was eye candy in all directions. Capturing the last of the sun's rays over the lake was a special moment.<br />
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Whilst I was off snapping photos, hubby and the kids were in town chowing down on Fergburger - a must do while in the adventure capital. A little tip for young players though - phone in your order and save the massive queues that often stretch right down the street!</div>
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Day 7: Queenstown - Mount Cook</h2>
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We had parked up for the night at Twelve Mile Delta - a massive unpowered campground not far out of Queenstown. It was conveniently close to Bob's Cove - the spot I'd chosen for sunrise. I had a bit of brain fade that morning, and plonked myself down by the lake waiting for sunrise, promptly forgetting that my Queenstown friend had recommended climbing up to the vantage point to get great panoramic views of the whole area. </div>
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Needless to say when I realised the colour was starting to fire completely in the opposite direction, it was a very rapid fast walk/part jog up the steep hill with camera gear in tow to try and capture the beautiful vista. It nearly killed me but I made it in time to capture some of the colour at least!<br />
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On my way back down I stopped in at the jetty - I'm not lying when I say the colour of the water here was THE most vivid aqua I've ever seen, and so clear I could see the bottom a good 8 feet below.<br />
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After breakfast, we headed into Queenstown and enjoyed a very rare sit-down coffee in a cafe - it was our first of the whole trip and we'd been on the road nearly a week by now - which just goes to show how easy it is to be self sufficient in the campervan. We had another long day of driving ahead making for Mount Cook. It was one of the places I was most looking forward to showing the family, but after a whole week of checking the forecast and feeling hopeful, I was disappointed to see rain forecast for the next two days. We figured we would still try our luck though as we had to almost drive past Mount Cook on our way back to Christchurch.<br />
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Lake Hayes was looking like a perfect mirror on our drive out of Queenstown so I dashed out of the motorhome for a few shots. We also stopped briefly in Lindis Pass - I love this place and I never spend long enough here as it's always on the way somewhere. The scale of this place just blows your mind - can you spot the teeny tiny vehicles in the shot below?<br />
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I was so relieved when we got close enough to see Mount Cook - it was still visible. But looking at the crazy lenticular clouds overhead, I knew it would be a matter of hours before the mountain would disappear.<br />
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We made the decision to race to Tasman Lake as I was dying to show the family the icebergs and sure enough there were a few floating in the lake, close enough to actually hit in the stone throwing competition they ended up having while I snapped some shots. </div>
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Sadly for us, that was as good as it got with mountain views. The rain descended and didn't let up for a good two days. We spent the night at the White Horse Hill campsite at Mount Cook as planned, enjoying the feeling of being right in the mountains despite the bad weather and low cloud. The boys had a grand old time chasing rabbits into holes while dinner was being cooked, and we also spent a fascinating hour or so at the visitor centre reading up on the National Park. It was pretty harrowing reading all the accounts of the climbers who have lost their lives on Mount Cook over the years, pretty much every year around November/December there are fatalities here, a sure reminder that the mountain is king in its own environment. Having said that, it was also sobering seeing just how far the glaciers have retreated in the last twenty or so years - Tasman Lake was almost nonexistent twenty years ago, climate change is certainly incredibly evident both here and on the more famous glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef on the other side of the Alps. </div>
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In the morning, when we faced the facts that we were in for a solid two days of rain we made the decision to flag our last night at Tekapo and head straight back to Christchurch. This was the best call we could have made, as we stayed in a great Top 10 Holiday park with an indoor pool and spa, a fantastic kitchen and bathroom complex and we enjoyed card games and chilling out until our flight home the next day. </div>
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It's certainly hard to pick favourite moments from a trip as varied and scenic as this trip was when we covered more than 2,000km in a week, but hopefully this gives you a flavour of the fabulous time we had exploring the wonders of our beautiful New Zealand, and if still photos alone aren't enough, here's a snippet of the fun family moments we captured along the way.</div>
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<i>N.B. I received no sponsorship or compensation from Apollo Motorhomes for this trip, I merely enjoyed the experience of campervan life so much I wanted to write about it!</i><br />
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-52552190711134199952017-10-30T21:55:00.000-07:002018-05-21T03:07:15.892-07:003 Must-Do Middle-earth experiences in Waikato, New ZealandWhen you think of Middle-earth, what is it that you think of? I'm immediately taken to the lush rolling green hills of the Shire, at the heart of the fantasies we've enjoyed on the big screen for the last 15 or so years with Lord of the Rings and later The Hobbit. And the Waikato region of NZ certainly leads the way when it comes to Middle-earth scenery with locations like <a href="http://www.hobbitontours.com/" target="_blank">Hobbiton</a>, <a href="http://www.waitomo.com/" target="_blank">Waitomo Caves </a>and <a href="https://www.hairyfeetwaitomo.co.nz/" target="_blank">Hairy Feet</a> right in the heart of it all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRPWMV-RZpTCOqPZoIPfunhw7rUj3Nm7QQ3pXKFZnXysVfIxGVVXuS3EjFGi-6LtknhjsUKY61mBz7LfiOEsihcWM4MjRDXCZ6qt8Sl1jZXW9hxhOyUk4tX8i5WP0qQGxoXhizJTUnEdm/s1600/DSC01490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amazing skies Bag End, Hobbiton" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRPWMV-RZpTCOqPZoIPfunhw7rUj3Nm7QQ3pXKFZnXysVfIxGVVXuS3EjFGi-6LtknhjsUKY61mBz7LfiOEsihcWM4MjRDXCZ6qt8Sl1jZXW9hxhOyUk4tX8i5WP0qQGxoXhizJTUnEdm/s640/DSC01490.jpg" title="Amazing sunrise over Hobbiton, NZ" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.hairyfeetwaitomo.co.nz/" target="_blank">Hairy Feet</a> boasts the title of having the most screen time of any Hobbit location. Even the drive there takes you through picturesque back country Waikato roads with incredible cliff faces and meandering streams, so that before you've even reached your destination, you feel firmly transported to another realm. It's clear that Hairy Feet hosts Suzie and Warrick care a great deal about their special place in the world, and are justifiably proud that this little spot played such a pivotal role in the film. Despite the inclement weather on our visit, the appeal of the place is undeniable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f-g43Mw0c0ONQI7udKg-pyKH2QI4ZnodLFzqFDYAV-e0ykYluPXHbRth1upuATvxCH2bbbj3lUUc0GQz1gNwwIZOtkob7UWLAQSVUfw8Etzgx_OPwT5dEYEFtI5HRwx3g7U0ugxy9cac/s1600/DSC01126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cliffs in Middle-earth NZ" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f-g43Mw0c0ONQI7udKg-pyKH2QI4ZnodLFzqFDYAV-e0ykYluPXHbRth1upuATvxCH2bbbj3lUUc0GQz1gNwwIZOtkob7UWLAQSVUfw8Etzgx_OPwT5dEYEFtI5HRwx3g7U0ugxy9cac/s640/DSC01126.jpg" title="Cliffs tower over Middle-earth NZ" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAa3Lhxj98mFfwHnDx3V1RWURye9A9mfyOS-kXtnUD5w4DbLgNXMi9dpMTEKsXpOa23ixoh9-4DCyLiV8gW-FJDyYiBvIuGhF5-kuQLFusFxEjiECpLQFkoms6r36aqJH4w1xGFd7RlQN/s1600/DSC01216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lush Middle-Earth forest, NZ" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAa3Lhxj98mFfwHnDx3V1RWURye9A9mfyOS-kXtnUD5w4DbLgNXMi9dpMTEKsXpOa23ixoh9-4DCyLiV8gW-FJDyYiBvIuGhF5-kuQLFusFxEjiECpLQFkoms6r36aqJH4w1xGFd7RlQN/s640/DSC01216.jpg" title="Trollshaw Forest, hobbit location at Hairy Feet" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLAAh7RwNaRNgiKb_AIwA0t0rHyfB1vpJMYPTSYlxJLtD2YuSFht0jPkwlZFQj6Wt9uIT3k9IewgZLAa7xHLRoTAy45OJriCPHkdeC0M-MR0L3VEnMhY4tl1950xgptl5EKfm7zaWaeIn/s1600/DSC01235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Light in Middle-earth, Hairy Feet" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLAAh7RwNaRNgiKb_AIwA0t0rHyfB1vpJMYPTSYlxJLtD2YuSFht0jPkwlZFQj6Wt9uIT3k9IewgZLAa7xHLRoTAy45OJriCPHkdeC0M-MR0L3VEnMhY4tl1950xgptl5EKfm7zaWaeIn/s640/DSC01235.jpg" title="Through the forest, Hairy Feet Waitomo" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah_7riUdZsRQPn53zh6-wOybi9enFsaFDtpxp7TVUFLEPcoetImmijINH94H6L3ykcvvb4KoEZPgBndDxGCYzqGS48hANmGHG9clGlx31eHm9X7ycmqJ1BUpOC9sWoaK8mOT-kOvsgorU/s1600/DSC01248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Middle-earth views at Hairy Feet" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah_7riUdZsRQPn53zh6-wOybi9enFsaFDtpxp7TVUFLEPcoetImmijINH94H6L3ykcvvb4KoEZPgBndDxGCYzqGS48hANmGHG9clGlx31eHm9X7ycmqJ1BUpOC9sWoaK8mOT-kOvsgorU/s640/DSC01248.jpg" title="Middle-earth views, Hairy Feet Waitomo" width="512" /></a></div>
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From the great heights of the bluffs which tower over you as you wander below them, to the incredibly lush native forest that harboured trolls in the movie and the very spot where Bilbo received his special sword 'Sting' from Gandalf, there is certainly magic to be found round every corner here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJRYttITrlWSqLn-JnQbhc4LjKjhgOTSEnhASQTUtqudN4M3wyrRO0XcfE2BVkEnDcXW9cj35nCo9cCjaYmnSc8V6zr1XH_C-TaxiSPWT_GrNBiGtoCicu72EYxrhqdOTZTE37krRyz5Q/s1600/DSC01257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cliffs at Hairy Feet hobbit location" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJRYttITrlWSqLn-JnQbhc4LjKjhgOTSEnhASQTUtqudN4M3wyrRO0XcfE2BVkEnDcXW9cj35nCo9cCjaYmnSc8V6zr1XH_C-TaxiSPWT_GrNBiGtoCicu72EYxrhqdOTZTE37krRyz5Q/s640/DSC01257.jpg" title="Amazing cliffs at Hairy Feet hobbit location" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWF6zTh5ZjvRgRLWh85fUvkb_zM6ythxtfi2R2hTAqPmitsUJCJwvwyKbfNnP0DzUCTf9AeZ4Gb1nlXbKLll2G7OSSfrLQQ72uTDN7MYXicRP6mvAlVx6c-UNzNdTXcYKqfhxZtjm6BuH/s1600/DSC01377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clouds and lake Hairy Feet, Waitomo" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWF6zTh5ZjvRgRLWh85fUvkb_zM6ythxtfi2R2hTAqPmitsUJCJwvwyKbfNnP0DzUCTf9AeZ4Gb1nlXbKLll2G7OSSfrLQQ72uTDN7MYXicRP6mvAlVx6c-UNzNdTXcYKqfhxZtjm6BuH/s640/DSC01377.jpg" title="Clouds at Hairy Feet, Waitomo" width="512" /></a></div>
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Not too far up the road from here, and still in the Waikato are the <a href="http://www.waitomo.com/" target="_blank">Waitomo Caves</a> - there are 3 cave areas - most tourists will head straight for the main caves, but for the most authentic glow worm experience you should check out <a href="http://www.waitomo.com/ruakuri-cave/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Ruakuri cave </a>which features the longest underground tour and the most awesome of glow worm structures. The start of the journey down into the cave gives you a taste of what's to come as you spiral down and down and down a fantastic staircase into a whole new world below ground.<br />
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We were lucky enough to have Logan Doull (of <a href="http://www.waitomo.com/black-water-rafting/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Legendary Black Water Rafting Company</a> fame) guide us through the cave. His knowledge of these special wee bugs (that are only found in NZ) is second to none, and to see these creatures in their natural environment and hear all about their lifecycle was utterly fascinating. On our travels through the caves we were even fortunate enough to see live prey caught in the glowworm's fragile sticky fishing lines, a real life science lesson for us all!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE8qUaDE42BTfk7SlSmKEzdhtkIjPsCMZuJoba3IQNn_2eUj17B1Qs9hh87tFHiYC450BZ6jTMw7qiM6K5I9jEZ-4oCclUDuEuW8epnncoWLbfwecZmQh6vpq1bfLyPhTyCwfi-fOQoAH/s1600/DSC01455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Glow worms Ruakuri Cave" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE8qUaDE42BTfk7SlSmKEzdhtkIjPsCMZuJoba3IQNn_2eUj17B1Qs9hh87tFHiYC450BZ6jTMw7qiM6K5I9jEZ-4oCclUDuEuW8epnncoWLbfwecZmQh6vpq1bfLyPhTyCwfi-fOQoAH/s640/DSC01455.jpg" title="Glow worms at Ruakuri Cave, Waitomo" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbei_sP93VD43OPVTf9q3pyU0RlR51GXlbQALMK8Ti-X58wakUIRAvLrz9qeCSZXstwFx96d1gvwI80GTP3GLgyEfdba8VIjz7C6Ffj0mCVZ2KycHf27pFTcy_0SweMdl5dzY3fCALDDE/s1600/DSC01390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Glow worms in natural environment, Waitomo" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbei_sP93VD43OPVTf9q3pyU0RlR51GXlbQALMK8Ti-X58wakUIRAvLrz9qeCSZXstwFx96d1gvwI80GTP3GLgyEfdba8VIjz7C6Ffj0mCVZ2KycHf27pFTcy_0SweMdl5dzY3fCALDDE/s640/DSC01390.jpg" title="Amazing glow worm formations, Waitomo" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXmEsi74cGX406uKjyQEpd5qLtVTnMG48nzn4eZoq8SlPBOrhem2LCebcIySucIQKt10rozGyifwKP-Z3cBCZ1i5lTE27yRFT6shiyh8rWF-8PDVJIbbgERjutuPYuuz4UdLelDIwlY1R/s1600/DSC01417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Glow worm fishing lines, Waitomo" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXmEsi74cGX406uKjyQEpd5qLtVTnMG48nzn4eZoq8SlPBOrhem2LCebcIySucIQKt10rozGyifwKP-Z3cBCZ1i5lTE27yRFT6shiyh8rWF-8PDVJIbbgERjutuPYuuz4UdLelDIwlY1R/s640/DSC01417.jpg" title="Glow worms up close, Waitomo, NZ" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogh4nIo7PNSN9djN5TTtN7q2RXc5V8Ita7Ltu4icI8JLiwaSOxYKmdNrchv-ZVr2oEJmCwag_3iTpPVAgIA3OzM23wZr2PCmlELW3BzuLjrSbADZQiSSnjPiLMoLIoHhO-IgvhxfQ9eLW/s1600/DSC01440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Walking amongst glow worms, Waitomo" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogh4nIo7PNSN9djN5TTtN7q2RXc5V8Ita7Ltu4icI8JLiwaSOxYKmdNrchv-ZVr2oEJmCwag_3iTpPVAgIA3OzM23wZr2PCmlELW3BzuLjrSbADZQiSSnjPiLMoLIoHhO-IgvhxfQ9eLW/s640/DSC01440.jpg" title="Inside the glow worm caves, Waitomo caves NZ" width="512" /></a></div>
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Wandering through the cave in the dark with only the light of these amazing creatures lighting the way and with the sound of underground waterfalls echoing all around is an otherworldly experience that will stay with you long after you're back above ground in the harsh light of day.<br />
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Another must-do Middle-earth experience that needs NO introduction is <a href="http://www.hobbitontours.com/en/" target="_blank">Hobbiton</a>. I was fortunate enough to visit for sunrise, and it just so happened that the sunrise was one of those one in a million full of crazy colour that you just dream of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRPWMV-RZpTCOqPZoIPfunhw7rUj3Nm7QQ3pXKFZnXysVfIxGVVXuS3EjFGi-6LtknhjsUKY61mBz7LfiOEsihcWM4MjRDXCZ6qt8Sl1jZXW9hxhOyUk4tX8i5WP0qQGxoXhizJTUnEdm/s1600/DSC01490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amazing skies Bag End, Hobbiton" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRPWMV-RZpTCOqPZoIPfunhw7rUj3Nm7QQ3pXKFZnXysVfIxGVVXuS3EjFGi-6LtknhjsUKY61mBz7LfiOEsihcWM4MjRDXCZ6qt8Sl1jZXW9hxhOyUk4tX8i5WP0qQGxoXhizJTUnEdm/s640/DSC01490.jpg" title="Amazing sunrise over Hobbiton, NZ" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEl9a0m2_TQ82HM2BfVVTPiq9XgZWZUhtM02rjNcdLc9uSz7blVWZMZFsC4RuN8GmiIHAFJIBBihcjiX-Kq7zfP5XaA39eUyFFj3cCKRM7cPx4TDJgsjPOxcliQspHHPp4vMpS0l4I9-P/s1600/DSC01518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colourful skies over Hobbiton, NZ" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEl9a0m2_TQ82HM2BfVVTPiq9XgZWZUhtM02rjNcdLc9uSz7blVWZMZFsC4RuN8GmiIHAFJIBBihcjiX-Kq7zfP5XaA39eUyFFj3cCKRM7cPx4TDJgsjPOxcliQspHHPp4vMpS0l4I9-P/s640/DSC01518.jpg" title="Sunrise over the Shire, Hobbiton, NZ" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7nD8DH6BUHJU50Skz0fOGBwWHFwjh50ZBXVPi-A35r67wAuekb1yhEV72MqRHy37UMVUiEdUEKxMuPSptUpykgI6Vts1fLLuuMzsGLvdBLIElTk4p-Q1fIx_qBdz1M417KXDBNrNocdl/s1600/DSC01536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunlight comes into Bag End, Hobbiton" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7nD8DH6BUHJU50Skz0fOGBwWHFwjh50ZBXVPi-A35r67wAuekb1yhEV72MqRHy37UMVUiEdUEKxMuPSptUpykgI6Vts1fLLuuMzsGLvdBLIElTk4p-Q1fIx_qBdz1M417KXDBNrNocdl/s640/DSC01536.jpg" title="Sunflare at sunrise Hobbiton" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBedaeO9DEVRd1mKjf_bbH5jjdZGQdQODAiyECkNCi0wb4DSGR8xehiSXhZeSA4ScICw9LCtHCyHXwGS26fEmrBhYuDbkMnTelvr_Gy0wmKwXYUloHQIBUox-mJTfyCwwU9hoN9y52ai2T/s1600/DSC01547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Girl at sunrise at Bag End Hobbiton" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBedaeO9DEVRd1mKjf_bbH5jjdZGQdQODAiyECkNCi0wb4DSGR8xehiSXhZeSA4ScICw9LCtHCyHXwGS26fEmrBhYuDbkMnTelvr_Gy0wmKwXYUloHQIBUox-mJTfyCwwU9hoN9y52ai2T/s640/DSC01547.jpg" title="Looking out from Hobbiton at sunrise" width="512" /></a></div>
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Having the opportunity to wander around here at golden hour provided so many amazing moments to capture including the sun coming up over Bilbo's Bag End.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysYYZtokMaakELYdr_75Xyk8yNRVTAEWG-RDjtrMCJZqM4Ki_ZCtLRoirBlAhUA1oHFJYae5NOuudZ8QCkLsDyj5F6TsqLj7LWa3rJiDtiya7qQ-DcJU-asDoZyheShJPtwawdC1bnZYa/s1600/DSC01567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steps up to Bag End " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysYYZtokMaakELYdr_75Xyk8yNRVTAEWG-RDjtrMCJZqM4Ki_ZCtLRoirBlAhUA1oHFJYae5NOuudZ8QCkLsDyj5F6TsqLj7LWa3rJiDtiya7qQ-DcJU-asDoZyheShJPtwawdC1bnZYa/s640/DSC01567.jpg" title="Steps lead to Bag End at Hobbiton" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyaktbLFAMs5WxyAO4XD0X4v9id03z40DsbBl9-lNjiFP4BQaNJ4Eb_OQv1ysRyJMoc_UNqNcDI4NAWdAqaF9w6JmnyJTFH7Lw4z0VqNDAk3pkbyT589o92FeycrMZFYhWYlp396PwTnF/s1600/DSC01598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanging out the washing at Hobbiton" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyaktbLFAMs5WxyAO4XD0X4v9id03z40DsbBl9-lNjiFP4BQaNJ4Eb_OQv1ysRyJMoc_UNqNcDI4NAWdAqaF9w6JmnyJTFH7Lw4z0VqNDAk3pkbyT589o92FeycrMZFYhWYlp396PwTnF/s640/DSC01598.jpg" title="Wandering the lanes of Hobbiton" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqDRKXzxuJXgZB8OUJY_ImkeIFhrDRY4dMuH8sHWNFhEsvYqBtKDm3RFOXfCclxgAeNSt_eFU6RWti9Hc08izdQlT0bX-IvJ1PmTlO79W1mHolNde1AAu6v_AoZ1b5Ce6Tg2JGX2E1W22/s1600/DSC01640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reflections of Hobbiton" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqDRKXzxuJXgZB8OUJY_ImkeIFhrDRY4dMuH8sHWNFhEsvYqBtKDm3RFOXfCclxgAeNSt_eFU6RWti9Hc08izdQlT0bX-IvJ1PmTlO79W1mHolNde1AAu6v_AoZ1b5Ce6Tg2JGX2E1W22/s640/DSC01640.jpg" title="Reflections at Hobbiton" width="426" /></a></div>
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I think I could probably have stayed here ALL day taking shots, there's such a variety of scenery to capture and the skies were just about perfect - the right mix of blue sky and clouds to provide a lovely backdrop to this place that is out of a fantasy fairy tale, because let's face it, it actually is!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVzG0LCXcfQ2G5dkI-5NbDaKKJTtsdth8GluMLv5vZQYZFFyhf22pVoobiNaHDRT28HeXO_mlKa02OEcd5oMfYPjYB1w_Rvc3axOUz5Ur-i-aNvwBY-AanBCxbpb550tUpWEewIIZnc-Y/s1600/DSC01651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Golden light over Hobbiton hobbit hole" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVzG0LCXcfQ2G5dkI-5NbDaKKJTtsdth8GluMLv5vZQYZFFyhf22pVoobiNaHDRT28HeXO_mlKa02OEcd5oMfYPjYB1w_Rvc3axOUz5Ur-i-aNvwBY-AanBCxbpb550tUpWEewIIZnc-Y/s640/DSC01651.jpg" title="Golden light over Hobbit hole" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
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This little lamb was so gorgeous and interested in the clicking of the camera, and just look at those ears - it wouldn't be NZ without some cute little sheep nearby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hUKpqpIGCx-qlIv6oXLPT6wNC4eOcAce5sWMaFkyavBMEYYJSIgge54reUOSbSwHEalm3O32E_UrayXspRxtO66j0B-4F4BoAbCVvyFsg2AREu8e1HqVz7tHV9bcd-xnsCtLzxLNJJRJ/s1600/DSC01615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The mill at Hobbiton" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hUKpqpIGCx-qlIv6oXLPT6wNC4eOcAce5sWMaFkyavBMEYYJSIgge54reUOSbSwHEalm3O32E_UrayXspRxtO66j0B-4F4BoAbCVvyFsg2AREu8e1HqVz7tHV9bcd-xnsCtLzxLNJJRJ/s640/DSC01615.jpg" title="Bridge over Hobbiton" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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It doesn't matter whether you are a big Tolkien fan or not, Hobbiton is one of those places in the world that you really MUST visit in your lifetime. The rolling countryside and the lovely trees dotted through them create the feel of the shire being so very far away from anything you've ever known yet it really is just down the road. It all adds up to an overwhelming sense that here, <i>right here, </i>you stand in the heart of Middle-earth. It goes without saying that I feel incredibly lucky that these amazing places are literally on my back doorstep here in the heart of the Waikato.<br />
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<i>The experiences at Hairy Feet, Ruakuri Caves and Hobbiton were hosted by Hamilton Waikato Tourism, however all opinions contained within the story are my own.</i><br />
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-85312966990515061522017-08-27T01:52:00.000-07:002018-05-21T03:35:26.332-07:00Looking for the real NZ? You'll find it riding the Timber TrailIf you want to know what a journey into the heart of NZ's bush is like, there's no better way to do so than experiencing the epic <a href="http://www.thetimbertrail.com/" target="_blank">Timber Trail</a> cycle trail combined with a stay at the new <a href="http://www.timbertraillodge.co.nz/" target="_blank">Timber Trail Lodge</a>.<br />
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Positioning itself as NZ's premiere 2 day cycle trail and part of the NZ national cycleway, the Timber Trail winds its way through 85km of pristine New Zealand native bush in the Pureora Forest Park, interspersed with incredible suspension bridges - the longest at 141 metres long and 53 metres tall is sure to impress even the most experienced of trail riders. And conveniently located at the halfway point along the ride, the newly opened <a href="http://www.timbertraillodge.co.nz/" target="_blank">Timber Trail Lodge</a> offers a warm and welcome accommodation experience for tired bodies to rest up and regain their energy for the second day's ride.<br />
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If you're wondering exactly where this amazing trail is located the map below should help - situated in the central North Island between Te Kuiti and Taupo, the closest settlement is Benneydale and even that is a 45 minute drive away.<br />
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Logistics wise, the easiest way to manage the one-way ride is to leave your car at Ongarue in the south and get a shuttle to take you to the <a href="http://www.timbertraillodge.co.nz/">Timber Trail Lodge</a> for the night, right in the middle of the forest. That way, you can get a shuttle bright and early to start the ride north at Pureora as there's 40km of riding ahead on the first day day, which is the harder day with an ascent to the peak of 980m, a climb of nearly 500m. But the reward is that then it's mostly downhill all the way to the Lodge. There are two impressive suspension bridges on this section, both over 100 metres long though the longest bridge is yet to come on Day 2.<br />
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On our recent Timber Trail adventure, commitments to our kids' football on a Saturday, and a recent shoulder injury meant we were limited in our time and ability to cycle the full Timber Trail, and with pretty drizzly conditions the day we were to ride, in the end we were only able to bike a small section of the total trail. However, the biking we DID do gave us a real taste to return to complete the whole trail. Luckily for us, the section we biked included the biggest suspension bridge at 141 metres long and 53 metres high so we got to experience the concentration and heart-stopping thrill of riding across such a feat of engineering, and that was definitely a highlight for me.<br />
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The variety of native bush, birdsong and beautiful scenery along the way is sure to make you forget how far you've ridden, and just when you're about to flag, the thought of a tasty dinner, a hot shower and a comfortable bed waiting for you at the Timber Trail Lodge is bound to revive you.<br />
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On a cold winter's night you might even get treated to a roaring fire to park up in front of in a beanbag with a glass of wine or cold beer to celebrate a day well ridden. We enjoyed a tasty meal cooked up by Corey, the lodge manager and settled down to a glass of the local King Country beer and a wine and some tunes to wile the night away.<br />
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There's a variety of accommodation available, and soon there will be whole new wing of en-suite rooms available from October to nearly double the current capacity from nine to nineteen rooms. We stayed in a double room, but there are also twin and triple rooms available currently.
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The grounds of the lodge are still in their growth phase (the lodge only opened in April 2017) with new native planting springing up, and the views from the deck and lounge out over the forest are so soothing and relaxing, rain or shine. I loved seeing the misty hills appearing and disappearing as I stood and watched.<br />
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The drive to and from the Lodge off the main road is about 15km of gravel road, but it's a good standard of road compared to many I've been on, and the scenery is just mind-blowing around every corner. I lost count of the number of times I asked Mark to stop the car on the way home so I could get out and take a shot of the rolling hills, cliff faces and dilapidated buildings - something I love to capture whenever I see them!<br />
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This area of New Zealand is a real hidden gem, though from what I saw of people commenting on our visit how much they also want to do the ride, the word is definitely getting out. Though we were the only ones staying at the lodge the night we were there (how lucky were we to have the whole place to ourselves!), I know for a fact the lodge is already booked out most weekends from mid-September to Christmas, so if you're thinking of coming on this epic journey through the heart of New Zealand you can still go midweek or plan ahead to 2018 and get your weekend trip booked in!</div>
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-43461477861221103892017-08-16T19:34:00.000-07:002018-05-21T03:35:36.985-07:00Top 10 Sunrise Locations NZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Top 10 Sunrise Photography Locations in NZ</h2>
New Zealand is blessed with being an island country that has an incredible 15,000km of coastline - the 10th largest coastline of any country in the world. So it's not hard to come up with a list of top 10 New Zealand sunrise locations since there are plenty of amazing places along the coast to watch the sunrise. But even inland there are some equally magical places to watch the day dawn - beside quiet lakes, overlooking hills and atop great mountains, and each with its own unique scenery to quicken the heart and captivate the soul.<br />
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Watching the sunrise isn't everyone's cup of tea I know - for nearly half the year it means giving up precious sleep as the sun appears over the horizon while most people are still sleeping blissfully unaware. That's the photographer's life though - if you want great light you have to be prepared to sacrifice more than a few zzzzzz's for it.<br />
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I have seen some pretty amazing sunrises in some popular New Zealand locations and in some very off-the-beaten track spots. My list of top 10 NZ sunrise locations is sure to be different to yours and that's OK because it's unique to my photographic journey thus far. Here are my favourite places to greet the day:<br />
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1. Nugget Point</h3>
Keep driving an hour and a half south of Dunedin, NZ's most southern major city, and you're feel as if you must be getting pretty close to the edge of the earth. And the morning I captured this sunrise at Nugget Point, I really did feel like I'd reached the end of civilisation. Walking out to the lighthouse, I was skeptical of getting much of a sunrise as the forecast was for 100% chance of rain and the cloud was really low, apart from this thin sliver of light on the horizon. I watched as I walked and could see the cloud being up-lit from the light of the coming day, and skepticism turned to hope as I realised that this sunrise could really catch fire - which is exactly what happened. The sky lit up with the most incredible colour that spread across the sky above the lighthouse, reflecting in the sea below and even at one point creating a rainbow into the sea. The colour was so intense and lasted such a long time that I wondered if it would ever end. And then the rain that had been threatening and closing in closer all morning finally arrived just as the colour began to die away. By the time I got back to the car it was pouring - I often think the most vivid sunrises herald bad weather on the way and this morning was no exception. I can't think of a more amazing location to have had such incredible light.<br />
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2. Tasman Lake at Mount Cook</h3>
The morning I spent here watching the amazing dawn glow amongst the icebergs of Tasman Lake is still high on my list of favourite photography moments ever. It was easily one of the stillest, coldest mornings I've been out with my camera and I have photographic evidence of my camera bag freezing over as it lay on the rocks during my expedition, it was at least -3 degrees Celsius. Seeing the first light of day hitting the peak of New Zealand's tallest mountain (Mount Cook) long before it reached down into the valley where I was standing in awe is a moment I'll not easily forget. The still waters of the lake created the most incredible reflections of the peaks above, and the icebergs floated peacefully and soundlessly in the lake with only the odd sound of a piece of ice breaking off or an avalanche high up in the mountains coming down to break the tranquility. I'll admit it was very hard to leave this place and I'm absolutely itching to go back.<br />
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3. Mount Maunganui</h3>
Forcing your body up the short, sharp incline to the summit of Mount Maunganui (otherwise known as Mauao) before dawn guarantees that you'll be plenty wide awake by the time you reach the top approximately 20 minutes later. And if you are lucky enough to capture the beautiful light that heralds a new day in the Bay of Plenty, even better. The golden sands of the beach below stretches out for miles as far as the eye can see, while in the other direction you can see up the Coromandel coast as far as Waihi Beach and Bowentown. And as much as I love being down at beach level to catch the amazing sunrise reflections in the sand as the waves pass to and fro, there's something special about seeing the sun appear over the horizon from up this high.<br />
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4. Cathedral Cove</h3>
I have been lucky enough to capture sunrise here on 3 different occasions, helped by the fact we can stay with friends who have a beach house about an hour's drive away. Every time I've been has been better than the last so I can't wait to see what my fourth visit might have in store for me whenever it is that I can next go. The walk to Cathedral Cove is about half an hour in the dark from the carpark so unless you're OK with the possibility of hearing strange noises in the bush in the dark along the way, you may want to bring a friend! Climbing down the last set of stairs to the beach is a moment of huge anticipation even when it's still pitch black, and if you time your visit right and get there early enough, you might even be lucky enough to catch the Milky Way rising over the Cove which is a truly impressive sight.<br />
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Save some space on the memory card for the walk back along the track when it's light since the view is stunning out to the islands that form part of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei marine reserve and it's sure to distract you from the fact it's all uphill!<br />
<h3>
<br />5. Mt Taranaki</h3>
Watching the sun appear above inversion cloud that lay below the peak of Mount Taranaki was a spine tingling moment. The circumstances that brought me to this spot were a last minute adventure with some girlfriends to try and capture a sunrise at Pouakai tarns. We made the trek in the dark and arrived at the hut after midnight to find there were no beds left. After spending a night sleeping (if you could call it that) on the hard wooden floor of the hut for a few hours listening to the wind howling outside, we made the short walk up the track with few expectations. Imagine our surprise when Mount Taranaki was in full view, with an amazing layer of inversion cloud hovering beneath. We didn't get the sunrise reflections at the tarn we were hoping for as the tarns lay under the cloud so it wasn't worth the extra walk, but oh what a morning it was to be up above those clouds on top of the world.
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<h3>
6. Lake Tarawera</h3>
This place is easily my favourite sunrise spot within driving distance of home, it's just manageable at an hour and a half to get there although catching a summer sunrise here does make for an extremely early start to the day. Lake Tarawera is one of those engaging places with so many awesome vantage points with its hundreds of jetties and bays that it's easy to visit a different spot each time and come away feeling like you've visited somewhere completely new.<br />
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This lake is famous in New Zealand as the scene of one of our worst natural disasters when Mount Tarawera erupted in 1886, killing 120 people and burying the world famous pink and white terraces. These days it's so still and tranquil here in the early morning that it's hard to believe it could have ever been the scene of such devastation. Standing on the jetty watching the light work its magic while the water laps quietly below is a pretty heavenly feeling, and it's somewhere I know I'll return to time and time again.<br />
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<h3>
7. Castlepoint</h3>
I've only ever been to Castlepoint once and it was when I was just starting out in photography - it was the middle of winter and there was a bitter wind blowing up at the lighthouse but you wouldn't know it from the peaceful pink sunrise that spread over the horizon. Castlepoint is high on my list of places to get back to, it's a little harder now I live at the other end of the island, but one day I'll just have to jump in the car and go. I’m yet to climb up to the top of Castle Rock to get the famous view back down to the lighthouse so that’s a must as well. <br />
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<h3>
8. Rolling Waikato hills</h3>
The first image below is one of my favourite images... ever. And proof that not every sunrise has to be full of amazing clouds and colour to be magical - in this case green and gold and blue hues are just as lovely as pastel pinks and fiery reds. On this morning I found myself up in the foothills of Pirongia with a view over the rolling hills of the Waikato complete with golden light filtering through and sheep grazing on the hillside. To me it was one of the most classic Kiwi rural scenes I’ve ever come across. I loved it so much I printed it in A0 size and have it on my wall at home. Every night when I roll my back out on my foam roller before bed, I lie and look at this scene - it sure makes for a relaxing end to the day.<br />
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<h3>
9. Moody Milford Sound </h3>
While some might argue this is technically a better sunset location than sunrise, I think it’s equally beautiful at both ends of the day. And while you might wonder why I would include it here when the sunrise was rather grey and moody, Milford Sound is in Fiordland after all - the rain capital of New Zealand, so chances are you might get a sunrise just like this when you visit. Even if you do, there’s nothing quite like standing before the mighty Mitre Peak and seeing the incredible mirror image of the mountains appearing in the tranquil waters of the Sound as the light of day comes forth. Knowing you are simply miles from anywhere in this remote valley really made me stop and think of what it must have been like for the early explorers coming upon this scene - they must have been shrieking and yelling in utter delight - well I know I would have anyway!<br />
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10. That Wanaka Tree</h3>
Like many photographers, I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this tree before I visited it. I would see shots popping up on Instagram all the time and wonder what power it held that everyone was so mad keen on taking photos of it. I did have to admit that it looked so different in each shot though, as if it was able to exert a certain magic on the photographer to capture it in a unique and different way. The morning I visited with my photographer friend Laurie, we arrived way before dawn, hoping we could get some shots of the tree under the stars. There was a fine layer of high cloud around that meant the stars were barely visible, but instead it created an amazing moon halo in the sky overlooking the tree - a sight you don’t get to see every day!
Before long dawn’s light started to appear on the horizon and colour began to take over the entire sky. Purples gave way to pinks, reds to oranges and before long the whole sky was ablaze. Even long after the colour faded, the lovely view was spellbinding and I found it hard to tear myself away. It’s safe to say I’m definitely a Wanaka tree convert! <br />
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I'm sure you will have your own list of spots in NZ where a sunrise has wowed you and if there’s a spot you think should definitely be in the top ten, then leave me a comment below!<br />
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To view more images or to purchase prints, visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-75488191865075776492017-07-22T19:38:00.001-07:002019-06-24T04:04:25.844-07:0010 Must-See Photography Locations in Coromandel, New Zealand<h1>
Top Ten Coromandel Photography Locations</h1>
My awesome guide to Coromandel photo spots has been with lots of fresh content and can now be found here:<br />
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<a href="https://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/Blog/10-Must-See-Photography-Locations-in-the-Coromandel">https://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/Blog/10-Must-See-Photography-Locations-in-the-Coromandel</a>Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3526230541661258774.post-66901780388819026602017-03-13T02:53:00.000-07:002018-05-21T03:36:12.221-07:00Hiking NZ's Great Walk: The Tongariro Alpine CrossingOur best laid plans are sometimes meant to go wrong for a reason. When Mark broke his toe on New Years Day, I was pretty disappointed as we'd planned to walk the Tongariro Crossing at the end of the month. Doctors orders were to stay off his foot as much as possible for a month so that was that.
When <a href="http://www.visitruapehu.com/">Visit Ruapehu</a> contacted me in early February asking whether I would be interested in taking some images on the Crossing, I jumped at the chance to make this 20km hike a reality again. We settled on the weekend of 25-26 February to do the hike and began praying like mad for good weather - this summer had been so darn changeable that anything was possible. Early on in the week it had looked somewhat showery but I kept hoping that it would turn out better than we hoped.<br />
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Heading off after work on Friday night, discussions along the way in the car came with the realisation that our accommodation for the first night required bedding and I'd completely forgotten to pack any. Cue a small detour to the Te Kuiti warehouse to pick up a cheap duvet and pillows for $18 and we were on our way again, although my hopes of making it to the mountains in time for sunset were dashed as that small detour meant we were just a few minutes late arriving to any good vantage points. And as it turned out there WAS bedding provided after all so the detour was wasted anyway haha!
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I consoled myself with the thought that a 4.30am start might instead prove fruitful if clear skies delivered up the Milky Way. After packing our bags ready for the hike, I was a wee bit concerned at the weight of them. I had all the camera gear and tripod in my bag which left poor Mark with 4 litres of water to carry plus all our food. We'd sure be making heavy work of this hike!
The alarm went off at 4.15am and I quietly crept out of the cabin with camera and tripod in tow and headed out to the main State Highway 47, the road on which Discovery Lodge is based. On my way along the driveway, I saw a shooting star fall out of the sky before me - no matter how many times I see one I always get such an electric jolt of thrill.
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I set the camera up and started clicking - no doubt about it the skies here were super clear - the Milky Way was a bright slash across the sky and the Magellan clouds were also visible just to the right of Ruapehu. In the whole 45 minutes I spent out here, I only saw 2 cars - one of which nicely lit up the foreground of my shots for me - result. Reluctantly after 5am I knew I'd better head back to get ready for our 5.25am shuttle pick-up. If you're ever considering doing the Crossing and are after a cheap accommodation option, Discovery Lodge has a range of cabins from as little as $60 a night (basically just a double bed) through to higher end motel type units - as well as plenty of tent and campervan sites. I chose this place both for price (knowing we literally needed somewhere to lie our heads until the morning) and because it had the earliest shuttle drop-off at the Crossing.
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As we drove along the road, a sliver of a moon peeked out from behind Mt Nguaruhoe and behind that came the dawn. We started off just before 6am in near darkness and despite my bladder being notoriously fickle, it was Mark not me who had to make a pitstop at the first toilet at Mangtepopo Hut (about 15 minutes into the journey!). As we started the gradual ascent to Soda Springs the skies lightened and looking behind us was the most incredible vista of Mount Taranaki, some 150km away lit up by the glorious pink and gold hues of dawn. We could even see one of the huts on the mountain reflected by the sun hitting it - amazing!
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By 7.30am we'd reached the LAST toilet stop for four hours at the end of Soda Springs and decided we'd better make use of it although making a toilet stop on this hike is not for the faint of heart. The smell reaches you long before you even reach the toilet but then you can't expect much more when thousands of people are using a very limited number of toilets every day.
Bananas were consumed for breakfast as we began the steepest part of the day so far, the climb up to South Crater through the Mangatepopo Saddle on the Devils Staircase - sounds appealing doesn't it?! This section of the track takes you up 200 metres in a relatively short time so it's a matter of slogging it out with frequent stops to admire the views of Mount Taranaki off in the distance (otherwise known as surreptitiously catching one's breath). We were lucky to be climbing this part of the walk in the shade so it was still relatively cool and the sun only really hit us when we reached the top of the saddle.
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From the saddle, those with the keenest sense of adventure and fitness can take a detour up to climb Mt Nguaruhoe (an extra 3 hour return journey on an already long day). I'd climbed Nguaruhoe back in high school and had no great desire to repeat the experience as I remember well the VERY steep scoria slide all the way down being very hard on the knees.
Once we reached South Crater, it was a really pleasant change to amble through a completely flat section for a good 15 minutes and plenty of time to admire Mt Doom (Nguaruhoe) - this was as close as we would ever get to it on the Crossing.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ6Fq_P_RkhdbyLugJOfXODThdfUreLL-cjNUw6H8OZk-pfIWMVHtmqHPQUtSmpVABUyXrO2o5V2MjbxWnAvd91WpeAse0PE1-t4E8fWDT-FmwIbb208VFeGidvqTvitvnBl7ajHvoAfI/s1600/Walking-through-south-crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Walking in South Crater" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ6Fq_P_RkhdbyLugJOfXODThdfUreLL-cjNUw6H8OZk-pfIWMVHtmqHPQUtSmpVABUyXrO2o5V2MjbxWnAvd91WpeAse0PE1-t4E8fWDT-FmwIbb208VFeGidvqTvitvnBl7ajHvoAfI/s640/Walking-through-south-crater.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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From South Crater, it's all uphill again - once we made it to the ridge for the first time we could enjoy views over the Central Plateau south towards the Desert Road. It was a short pause as the toughest part of the uphill was ahead, climbing up the ridge to Red Crater.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iMs1hT2DTI1ZNloQhrC8zTltuOojZAByajlv-d0zybiILxV9T9M8Qf6SzCZvqWMsaAIhuLufOjd7BrXJLEChsYoMPGxXToW2xRsb3pew6DHJ7iYXIm6CXwNG_1fmddGR353oFz75noAG/s1600/Central-Plateau-Views-from-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Views over Central Plateau from Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iMs1hT2DTI1ZNloQhrC8zTltuOojZAByajlv-d0zybiILxV9T9M8Qf6SzCZvqWMsaAIhuLufOjd7BrXJLEChsYoMPGxXToW2xRsb3pew6DHJ7iYXIm6CXwNG_1fmddGR353oFz75noAG/s640/Central-Plateau-Views-from-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgtjB25REOaGcaXPa0QeGApgjfcOOr-iAKnnyHcXYqvk2esr1aIZ5p5eECDMuOj_0ZvnOx6T3zumkJ-N28c2k11jMmmmuQFoxI_ZfDrVn9GcpLer2oYlrEN4-j9rm2Xmjt5xnNhbQgeRC/s1600/Up-high-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Layers of Hills Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgtjB25REOaGcaXPa0QeGApgjfcOOr-iAKnnyHcXYqvk2esr1aIZ5p5eECDMuOj_0ZvnOx6T3zumkJ-N28c2k11jMmmmuQFoxI_ZfDrVn9GcpLer2oYlrEN4-j9rm2Xmjt5xnNhbQgeRC/s640/Up-high-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXIQlZEUB9e7F-hrQZ-B-7uew7EJCqU4dXA8qbNY0GCq6OZAR4cm8yjFCgsLPGITfcQ6COc8X07md5-1oudkzZknp99g59orTjO9Y7eYU87ViNJZvh4kC8196PfXW8vK_NWHK-lAtdLlO/s1600/Uphill-climb-to-red-crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Climbing to Red Crater Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXIQlZEUB9e7F-hrQZ-B-7uew7EJCqU4dXA8qbNY0GCq6OZAR4cm8yjFCgsLPGITfcQ6COc8X07md5-1oudkzZknp99g59orTjO9Y7eYU87ViNJZvh4kC8196PfXW8vK_NWHK-lAtdLlO/s640/Uphill-climb-to-red-crater.jpg" title="" width="512" /></a><br />
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It looks tough looking up but in reality it doesn't take long at all and suddenly you're standing there - all 1886 beautiful metres above sea level. Feeling as if you're on top of the world with views in all directions - Nguaruhoe one side, Red Crater another, the Emerald Lakes and still further on the Blue Lake and Taupo. Despite the fact we climbed in February (our hottest month here in NZ), we'd started our day in several merino layers and windproof coats in the dark, had ditched them for the hot climb up to South Crater, but we soon needed them again up at Red Crater with the wind chill of 10 degrees being apparent (and it wasn't even a windy day).
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuIXRgNCagz51Rlg6q4sEyrvtbHQbq23B-O4sw8yc6uF-YhdH6L-3wG7sGZXvLbdTur1srgvTtIBzFJZBHoj-joNoCIYz9yUFqUdVi27GQpWk0XRRY0IJXAgf5C5-WZQ7CoXsmINUwAPJ/s1600/Conquering-mountain-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The mountain conquered on Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuIXRgNCagz51Rlg6q4sEyrvtbHQbq23B-O4sw8yc6uF-YhdH6L-3wG7sGZXvLbdTur1srgvTtIBzFJZBHoj-joNoCIYz9yUFqUdVi27GQpWk0XRRY0IJXAgf5C5-WZQ7CoXsmINUwAPJ/s640/Conquering-mountain-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd6CV0tyOlj0fQAfPXxtW37WNjZwL-AoWxj7bAiT1noRdNOW7XGET53uKpcxcMKlUFTBAPCQH-EhW1tC_4mGPo56Vz0EeCi6KNg8LFf6J4alXie-Tozl86sTT3DvxijTRzJRAZp9ZalZO/s1600/Halfway-point-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halfway point on Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd6CV0tyOlj0fQAfPXxtW37WNjZwL-AoWxj7bAiT1noRdNOW7XGET53uKpcxcMKlUFTBAPCQH-EhW1tC_4mGPo56Vz0EeCi6KNg8LFf6J4alXie-Tozl86sTT3DvxijTRzJRAZp9ZalZO/s640/Halfway-point-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UNn7gcfX5ncAuLuFtPeIIbtc2fcEaPDyIhx9l5DuaCHAIGNOALHdG9AkKOU-ti4fdPgZErg-pbW4JnaCHHGKWhwI5soDpe5nm67DYkrW27fy5l59Nh445XG2cefyjO5axL9vR1x6tCCx/s1600/Mt-Nguaruhoe-views-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Views to die for Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UNn7gcfX5ncAuLuFtPeIIbtc2fcEaPDyIhx9l5DuaCHAIGNOALHdG9AkKOU-ti4fdPgZErg-pbW4JnaCHHGKWhwI5soDpe5nm67DYkrW27fy5l59Nh445XG2cefyjO5axL9vR1x6tCCx/s640/Mt-Nguaruhoe-views-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU1KKDKO1yW9NvOWIEWKSTKESs2kMrxuvvzWMJdoxdCrHd3UZAGmoYDvnyN4zG_xWTMfsClf0Aakp1vHuwOo45Ddidhhx8xAL6cBTAUAyIc07C2za790VeWKzqYH5xYh6LrOiyDsdz8ES/s1600/Last-uphill-to-red-crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Last uphill to Red Crater" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU1KKDKO1yW9NvOWIEWKSTKESs2kMrxuvvzWMJdoxdCrHd3UZAGmoYDvnyN4zG_xWTMfsClf0Aakp1vHuwOo45Ddidhhx8xAL6cBTAUAyIc07C2za790VeWKzqYH5xYh6LrOiyDsdz8ES/s640/Last-uphill-to-red-crater.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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I could have stayed to admire the views all day but alas the rest of the Crossing was calling. Ahead was the slow slide down the scoria to the Emerald Lakes. This section is really steep and despite it being easy to go down it than up (which you would if you climbed the Crossing in reverse) it still felt like a slow pace, also because this is probably one of the narrowest parts of the Crossing and where everyone is taking much care not to fall off the side of the narrow ridge. This was probably the point at which I KISSED my walking poles for coming in so handy - after watching Mark slip over about 5 times in five minutes while I managed to keep on my feet.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLrUwTneKwClFNGLc7W9btImFsvUs_3fGqxlRLuqdLq5RV7mnqTai2te1Q129YwwFucs8IJyonSAy79TcheF0lYKB-u6LyGmy5S9cRVD7ixkOdt55BtG6vnw0wI58Ff0YCsd_P4BYFwiK/s1600/Red-crater-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Red Crater Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLrUwTneKwClFNGLc7W9btImFsvUs_3fGqxlRLuqdLq5RV7mnqTai2te1Q129YwwFucs8IJyonSAy79TcheF0lYKB-u6LyGmy5S9cRVD7ixkOdt55BtG6vnw0wI58Ff0YCsd_P4BYFwiK/s640/Red-crater-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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After 20 minutes or so we were down at the Lakes, and looking back up the ridge it was incredible to think we'd just walked down it, it seemed SO steep. Everyone who walked past us was saying the same... 'wow did we just come down that?!'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10zm4Uj5hqTBE80DuTfbL6hn4wFQz6rOz3r5AszPssIhM_xjoiXhzMm2H9jb2NAAesRGETbIUKr0J2VB3mpSXmf35CYzBkDaXqmmvNANlGZtXF1F3a6Y6tqPLKxRRyJ01dmu5ax-rO4Hc/s1600/coming-down-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Taking care on scoria Red Crater" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10zm4Uj5hqTBE80DuTfbL6hn4wFQz6rOz3r5AszPssIhM_xjoiXhzMm2H9jb2NAAesRGETbIUKr0J2VB3mpSXmf35CYzBkDaXqmmvNANlGZtXF1F3a6Y6tqPLKxRRyJ01dmu5ax-rO4Hc/s640/coming-down-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="426" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEIYY2AI5gWN7izi8r5AtJl5ooctvGB47jLvaVsimnynGDTfX_We2HJx4VRf_LO8pjxxJx0uQXX1UaI-dmt0HYWlaJXF2pbmIm_lbuWK5b8BF5mDVR8JBc4xd9Dq5QTMyYpXrj0bglzHX/s1600/Path-down-from-red-crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Traffic jam Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEIYY2AI5gWN7izi8r5AtJl5ooctvGB47jLvaVsimnynGDTfX_We2HJx4VRf_LO8pjxxJx0uQXX1UaI-dmt0HYWlaJXF2pbmIm_lbuWK5b8BF5mDVR8JBc4xd9Dq5QTMyYpXrj0bglzHX/s640/Path-down-from-red-crater.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmzSiDJOQBw_nMjjf4zPXga0tcNts2wsaJgMIYytcny-U9jZGSu1wsrQjJtvQbZ_H-OZMZSSYWl_ZjioZTlde9quB0KJcJg8X8SOW1VH1xINHYl5zsBSBaeXUHXxQqAfwCQT4Zz_npWAi/s1600/Steep-walk-down-red-crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Looking back up scoria Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmzSiDJOQBw_nMjjf4zPXga0tcNts2wsaJgMIYytcny-U9jZGSu1wsrQjJtvQbZ_H-OZMZSSYWl_ZjioZTlde9quB0KJcJg8X8SOW1VH1xINHYl5zsBSBaeXUHXxQqAfwCQT4Zz_npWAi/s640/Steep-walk-down-red-crater.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1GkfQZ-qGXPoruUgF2-N9ereJGk7WiBH6nWQbUthzrv1SJSbWtysb3VmArXz5NzSHUC5l6mcZ2F7grrZtkV-f1WhVdqLwG_Hfo6ecUb42HSgNtiPFax4klqk588A0XJqlWZckAHOLfya/s1600/Taking-a-break-Emerald-Lakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emerald Lakes break Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1GkfQZ-qGXPoruUgF2-N9ereJGk7WiBH6nWQbUthzrv1SJSbWtysb3VmArXz5NzSHUC5l6mcZ2F7grrZtkV-f1WhVdqLwG_Hfo6ecUb42HSgNtiPFax4klqk588A0XJqlWZckAHOLfya/s640/Taking-a-break-Emerald-Lakes.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Emerald Lakes are so stunning (if a little stinky from the sulphur smell - they are volcanic after all!) and a great place to stop for a while and enjoy morning tea - it was only about 10am by this point and we'd walked over half the track. I was a little reluctant to leave here as it was so picturesque but the only way out was to just keep walking.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3HamlYuExv1jJkfU3cOWS9Ub_3c1RJ0yQJCivgnk-tqE9_cC_l-W7-hbG-4WHyDH0xtOV5xbQF403_-iIvmgn-DXycxANDqFzTX4cSgRiVXI5KbIMZNQFF2ylKQl5lxiOIrgQFO0JdqM/s1600/Emerald-Lakes-View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stunning clear lakes on Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3HamlYuExv1jJkfU3cOWS9Ub_3c1RJ0yQJCivgnk-tqE9_cC_l-W7-hbG-4WHyDH0xtOV5xbQF403_-iIvmgn-DXycxANDqFzTX4cSgRiVXI5KbIMZNQFF2ylKQl5lxiOIrgQFO0JdqM/s640/Emerald-Lakes-View.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb-NO7R-NqHAYKFoOjb_hdGn3v-1ZzXy6SauFibLVLMlJaorl07FZqAsA7bUD6cBS_nH9Gjgu0Rx498W9UVaVZRdUgI0c7N6SIc6qqtoj-VjE8qJhwHyy21kGQPEPDh5o2YfNpQMyR9CX/s1600/Admiring-Emerald-Lakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Enjoying views over Emerald Lakes" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb-NO7R-NqHAYKFoOjb_hdGn3v-1ZzXy6SauFibLVLMlJaorl07FZqAsA7bUD6cBS_nH9Gjgu0Rx498W9UVaVZRdUgI0c7N6SIc6qqtoj-VjE8qJhwHyy21kGQPEPDh5o2YfNpQMyR9CX/s640/Admiring-Emerald-Lakes.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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The next section of the hike walking to Blue Lake is delightfully flat and open and it's only a short uphill to reach the Blue Lake. This was probably my favourite view on the hike because looking back you could see ALL three mountains Ruapehu to the left, Nguaruhoe in the middle and Tongariro to the right nicely lined up - with the Crossing track and people walking clearly visible as well.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82NugTg7m04xmr7imGEyLbnikhz8EDpr8YoLc-BiQ2nvpgDqJ436AGqdeMmvAamnINVGFPRVGf-ozZPryqUw6LCWAvevcWyIhYQlo0_48jhVPlh_4vogkxKJwO4jxKB90hgpSLkKjd0gr/s1600/Tongariro-Crossing-Track-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long winding track to Blue Lake Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82NugTg7m04xmr7imGEyLbnikhz8EDpr8YoLc-BiQ2nvpgDqJ436AGqdeMmvAamnINVGFPRVGf-ozZPryqUw6LCWAvevcWyIhYQlo0_48jhVPlh_4vogkxKJwO4jxKB90hgpSLkKjd0gr/s640/Tongariro-Crossing-Track-view.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6Kx_zjNGItdI2VdbiTtEalsXGrbJkq8d_iOfm7l7l_mhCSmIdtQWOPtqRaOP7EdO3FF4_Xhbu_Ygo7aalru8hyphenhyphengjfOfC_n_pMBrhARU2WqVGH7J8EP5CN_yvNGiRzuDO64af0xJcMbPM/s1600/Tongariro-Crossing-walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Looking back up to Red Crater" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6Kx_zjNGItdI2VdbiTtEalsXGrbJkq8d_iOfm7l7l_mhCSmIdtQWOPtqRaOP7EdO3FF4_Xhbu_Ygo7aalru8hyphenhyphengjfOfC_n_pMBrhARU2WqVGH7J8EP5CN_yvNGiRzuDO64af0xJcMbPM/s640/Tongariro-Crossing-walker.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqZGCohsFC-WkJiMavnimZKsO2TeRrJ_I8_Oy9N2sMOufvvFyqgr3-daQlc5-rS139GgRGSkfUCgiLT6LMK6aQTYrG3KtG3Nce9ujn7x5c_-XnyFLEof6cxBL35cDYc7G-V5H5i9Yh9so/s1600/Tongariro-Crossing-Walkers.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Tongariro Walkers on the Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqZGCohsFC-WkJiMavnimZKsO2TeRrJ_I8_Oy9N2sMOufvvFyqgr3-daQlc5-rS139GgRGSkfUCgiLT6LMK6aQTYrG3KtG3Nce9ujn7x5c_-XnyFLEof6cxBL35cDYc7G-V5H5i9Yh9so/s640/Tongariro-Crossing-Walkers.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRByxHj_mmIiedY3LUYXV-1EljcgZeKepiKhXG7KP1x7t1q0TG-TjDOrssZt5SBEJFp_x9lxjfgSlJa_48vVGcFP9-sCfvgcK27mLity-SwoeCuRNkzJgLLIV7BWb9cggLCL7lPHMLAxv4/s1600/Blue-Lake-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stopping to enjoy Blue Lake" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRByxHj_mmIiedY3LUYXV-1EljcgZeKepiKhXG7KP1x7t1q0TG-TjDOrssZt5SBEJFp_x9lxjfgSlJa_48vVGcFP9-sCfvgcK27mLity-SwoeCuRNkzJgLLIV7BWb9cggLCL7lPHMLAxv4/s640/Blue-Lake-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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We didn't hang around too long here and carried on through the pass and onto the beginning of the long downhill section. I have to admit I didn't know too much of what to expect of the last section (I'd walked half the Crossing about fourteen years ago but there and back not one way like this time), and I loved the views of Lake Rotoaira and even Lake Taupo in the background that opened up as we walked through what felt like an alpine pass in Switzerland. The only dead giveaway that we were firmly in Aotearoa was the visible volcanic activity rising out of the craters to our left and right.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH6Q8var7uoWIsRSIi1a2B-SNnTdKeHth6oBIvqunbv83VF2pKQMjsZTt_CfnfkTVDD4RGiYiLzGEDWSdZ1ccffksOnrdbOqMmGe4tUEzkv-8ScYiihFHf-5PmlzZK8oGvabfDpy2HjDu/s1600/Alpine-pass-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Through the pass Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH6Q8var7uoWIsRSIi1a2B-SNnTdKeHth6oBIvqunbv83VF2pKQMjsZTt_CfnfkTVDD4RGiYiLzGEDWSdZ1ccffksOnrdbOqMmGe4tUEzkv-8ScYiihFHf-5PmlzZK8oGvabfDpy2HjDu/s640/Alpine-pass-Tongariro-Crossing.jpg" title="" width="512" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cy7IjevwlGXF5DSCyeT_amWxfY4zNRZvktuAOTvSWOB6WZKM4MKHf8AoCKZSZSyrkvJOviCDsCHn4N8ZYHyMRgq3a3kTwv3bJaI_htOEY3G5gBBxHyUuWkWgq519Lwi86g6svzhl6jFu/s1600/Lake-Rotoaira-from-above.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Views to Lake Rotoaira Tongariro crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cy7IjevwlGXF5DSCyeT_amWxfY4zNRZvktuAOTvSWOB6WZKM4MKHf8AoCKZSZSyrkvJOviCDsCHn4N8ZYHyMRgq3a3kTwv3bJaI_htOEY3G5gBBxHyUuWkWgq519Lwi86g6svzhl6jFu/s640/Lake-Rotoaira-from-above.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3-C2-GrQsS9EutuxIaCh-8GHn2HOmPOFIt32NcQ5lhO272JygwqK6hyPA1gGz0PSgeoD0wxYNAKJ5NBNgr_cf23aAoiy5v9xr3Tod5O8gbHslLlJr9BERtxG9lhLhqix6-_uBR00RaiF/s1600/Lake-rotoaira-from-tongariro-crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sitting above the clouds Tongariro Crossing" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3-C2-GrQsS9EutuxIaCh-8GHn2HOmPOFIt32NcQ5lhO272JygwqK6hyPA1gGz0PSgeoD0wxYNAKJ5NBNgr_cf23aAoiy5v9xr3Tod5O8gbHslLlJr9BERtxG9lhLhqix6-_uBR00RaiF/s640/Lake-rotoaira-from-tongariro-crossing.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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At this point, we were both pretty keen to get down to Ketetahi Hut where the next toilets were but were somewhat disillusioned when we rounded a corner and saw this long and snaking track that meant the Hut (probably 10 minutes straight down as the crow flies) was still near to an hour away. Cue a stealthy side of the track pit stop while no-one was looking. After that we were happy enough to wander on down to the Hut and take a much needed break for more food and water. It was nearly midday by this stage and we already knew we wouldn't make the 12.30 shuttle back and even 1.30 was looking not very likely either as neither of us was keen to rush. After enjoying the sit down for our legs in the rather hot sun, we headed off for the last section - 6km of downhill and approx 1.5 hours to go.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi1riqkZNmr-m588dHMYEBEVmz1vuTEbOvxxLUizY6RpPZFIiO4LnfPbiocERIiqJgA0J9_KsFI30_k6M6GtXr4f4zDuqn_TAsGb230ZBzeYHQBcICPuWjfD6e9pXpROGgSpbUvi9JGHP/s1600/Tongariro-Crossing-winding-track-volcanic-activity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="panoramic view to Ketetahi hut" border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi1riqkZNmr-m588dHMYEBEVmz1vuTEbOvxxLUizY6RpPZFIiO4LnfPbiocERIiqJgA0J9_KsFI30_k6M6GtXr4f4zDuqn_TAsGb230ZBzeYHQBcICPuWjfD6e9pXpROGgSpbUvi9JGHP/s640/Tongariro-Crossing-winding-track-volcanic-activity.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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If there was one thing I would change about the Crossing, it's this section - just lots and lots and lots and lots of downhill. Oh and one very soul destroying part where you skirt round a valley and then have to do some uphill (when you know you just want to be getting to the end and going uphill just means more downhill again ha ha!). It was pretty hot by this stage too and the first 3km or so was still out in the open with no shade around. It was much better and COOLER once we hit the bush line and we felt somewhat refreshed again.<br />
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One of the most interesting parts of this last section is crossing through the 700m hazardous volcanic zone - there are signs up warning you to move through quickly and 'NO STOPPING'. This is (I believe) the route that the lahar took when it came through in 2012 after the Te Maari crater erupted on Tongariro, so no wonder they don't want you to dilly dally. But the fascinating thing here is that there's a brand new stream rushing down beside the track. After several hundreds or thousands of years a stream has a chance to bed (excuse the pun) in and carve out a path below where you walk - it was fascinating walking along the track with the stream rushing along right beside us and we could have (but didn't) reach out and touch it.<br />
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And then finally the carpark came into sight. After nearly 8 hours (of which only 5 hours was actual walking according to Mark's Strava) we'd done it. We collapsed gratefully under the shade shelter along with several hundred other people who had completed it, waiting for the shuttles/transport to take us back to reality and normality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sm3FYQolSaY0WdIHP7fKqUBgPaJBHkxgif3bi0aNPXLvKj2UZs0HVo4X20emlGGq7ULDgQdHlUhUZDb-X1xwNwHeCc-iCCTdPupsrRmvWR8qC5fxZZTRfffCF30gSqDhzjCiCIZ3VVWi/s1600/Chateau-tongariro-dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="chateau tongariro dawn" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sm3FYQolSaY0WdIHP7fKqUBgPaJBHkxgif3bi0aNPXLvKj2UZs0HVo4X20emlGGq7ULDgQdHlUhUZDb-X1xwNwHeCc-iCCTdPupsrRmvWR8qC5fxZZTRfffCF30gSqDhzjCiCIZ3VVWi/s640/Chateau-tongariro-dawn.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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For us, this meant a night at the <a href="http://www.chateau.co.nz/">Chateau Tongariro</a> thanks to <a href="http://www.visitruapehu.com/">Visit Ruapehu</a> - a great reward for a hard day of walking 20km and taking oodles of photos. We sampled Pihanga Cafe for dinner, enjoyed a swim in the very bizarre yet funky underground heated pool and sauna after catching some lovely golden light down at the Mahuia rapids, and enjoyed a hearty spread at the Ruapehu Room for breakfast the next morning.
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I managed to put my back out that morning getting out of bed - silly girl - but that didn't stop me getting up for sunrise - heading up to Scoria Flat to enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountains before me. We also walked the 6km loop track to Taranaki Falls which is incredibly scenic with both open mountain views and native bush along the way. The Falls themselves are VERY impressive and had I not already put my back out I would have considered walking in behind the falls, but that will have to keep for another day.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTRJRRxlA7I-PsCl-i5KVzn9STZdzFwWF1QC_DQvADvlq13vk9WYlaOwfJuGFyCTPCjKcGU2rgDYKObODnDdykS_C3ZdhiKpag9bS8b5blz4kzHhYwIdlyru4L3rFEjY6vZ_1UQEHePfe/s1600/above-clouds-mt-ruapehu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="morning above clouds ruapehu" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTRJRRxlA7I-PsCl-i5KVzn9STZdzFwWF1QC_DQvADvlq13vk9WYlaOwfJuGFyCTPCjKcGU2rgDYKObODnDdykS_C3ZdhiKpag9bS8b5blz4kzHhYwIdlyru4L3rFEjY6vZ_1UQEHePfe/s640/above-clouds-mt-ruapehu.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjrG-g2O9ncpe2zmjAbGAk2b0YkNkSN7DDwubcGkAY_TP0xYC5qzM4vdrn7_oMicJMpl68zFdj4e1U6JzB1v92LHRMmTiiVU60cAipBmK0bTXsVPL9bW4dS4yiXR7JliIYyJEUuPmfFCZ/s1600/Mt-Ngauruhoe-dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sunrise on Mt Nguaruhoe" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjrG-g2O9ncpe2zmjAbGAk2b0YkNkSN7DDwubcGkAY_TP0xYC5qzM4vdrn7_oMicJMpl68zFdj4e1U6JzB1v92LHRMmTiiVU60cAipBmK0bTXsVPL9bW4dS4yiXR7JliIYyJEUuPmfFCZ/s640/Mt-Ngauruhoe-dawn.jpg" title="" width="512" /></a><br />
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On the way back from the Falls, my ankle gave out and I crashed down a couple of steps hard onto my knees - oh the pain. I saw stars and it was a couple of minutes before I could get back up and walk. Thankfully no real damage done apart from 2 bruised knees and a bruised ego - but I couldn't believe I'd been so unlucky to put my back out AND fall down so spectacularly on the same morning. It would be a few days and a couple of trips to the chiropractor before I felt back to normal. However, the weekend was MORE than worth the short-term pain afterwards.
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Despite the fact we walked on a day where there were probably a couple of thousand others also doing the track it never felt like it was ridiculously busy which is the impression I'd been given by others. 20km of track is a lot of space and for the most part it seemed to be just Mark and me in our own little world enjoying some of the best scenery that NZ could possibly offer on a bluebird day. It is an amazing experience and one I'd do again in a heartbeat - but perhaps with just one little camera and not 10kg of gear on my back next time.
And the sign of a highly successful trip? We loved it so much we are both keen to do another one of NZ's other Great Walks - perhaps a multi-day hike next year sometime.
Facts about the Tongariro Crossing if you are considering the journey:
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Hike length: 19.4km<br />
Altitude ascent: 700m<br />
Altitude descent: 1,100m<br />
Time to complete: 6-8 hours<br />
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The main <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/tongariroalpinecrossing?region=centralnorthisland&park=9cad4a74-ecf8-40bf-8d21-d99ac6be44c4&activity=walking-tramping#activitypanel">DOC track information page</a> is a good starting point, and there's even a Pocket Ranger <a href="https://www.tongariro.org.nz/pocket-ranger.html">app</a> you can download here which has lots of useful information on it to keep handy to you on the day.
There are also several shuttle companies who will take you from one car park to the other or both from about $20 one way, we paid $35 each return from the lodge which meant we didn't have to worry about taking our car up the gravel track to the start at Mangatepopo.<br />
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I'd love to hear if you've completed this hike and what you thought of it - leave me a comment below!
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To view more images or to purchase prints, please visit <a href="http://www.meghanmaloneyphotography.co.nz/">Meghan Maloney Photography</a></h3>
Meghan Maloney Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03506040925450598933noreply@blogger.com0