Hi all,
Just returned from a few days in Taumarunui (in the centre of New Zealand's North Island) and thought I'd share a few pics.
Mum grew up here, though most of the family have now either passed on or moved away.
My great-grandad built this house around a century ago and Mum lived there till she was 14.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_25_201721047.jpeg)
We're well represented in the Returned Services (Vets in the US) section of the local cemetery (WWI and II), so we spent a while cleaning grave stones and 'sayin hi'.
Then we headed for Kakahi, where Mum spent much of her childhood.
Urban drift seems to make small towns smaller every year...
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_22_20162598.jpeg)
From the hills above Kakahi, you can see the snow-capped and cloud-clad mountains of our central plateau.
The massive Tongariro to the left/centre and Ngauruhoe behind the trees to the right.
The latter was Mt Doom in The Lord of the Rings movies.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_22_201641213.jpeg)
This is the Whakapapa River, which flows down from its namesake mountain (to the right of Ngauruhoe).
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_23_20165712.jpeg)
This is the Whanganui River just in front of my Nana's old house. Used to play down here a lot as a kid.
Plenty of browns and rainbows to be had in here.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_23_20166245.jpeg)
Whanganui River again. The kids were having a great time catching (and releasing) smelt or whitebait.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_23_201672155.jpeg)
While I did a bit of nymphing...
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_24_2016839.jpeg)
My daughter's a bit of an artist ;)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_24_201692387.jpeg)
Mum grew up on the rivers and loved being back.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_24_20170549.jpeg)
Needless to say, I was in my element - love chasing trout!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_25_20171840.jpeg)
Next day, and back upriver on the Whanganui - success!
A beautiful 5lb rainbow, taken on an olive 'Wooly Bugger' wet fly.
It took me down to the backing three times with long, blistering runs, and put in a fantastic aerial display for my Mum and daughter.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_25_20173901.jpeg)
And one more for good measure ;) ;D
(http://alantani.com/gallery/20/3590_04_08_17_7_20_26_20174416.jpeg)
Righto, hope ye're all well and getting out on the water.
Cheers, Justin
Very Nice Rainbow's Justin! Good Job ole Boy! ;)
Nice pictures too! ;D
Justin absolutely BEAUTIFUL country, trout and family. Thanks for bringing that to us.
Bob
Cheers Daron - they may be lightweights, but they put up a great fight ;) ;D
Thanks Bob - the area's known as the 'King Country' and really is spectacular.
A long way from the ocean though!
Beautiful place Justin, thanks for taking us along. Also, not a bad looking trout ;).
Sal
Thanks Sal - yeah, it was a really healthy fish and a terrific fight.
I was amazed the 6lb tippet held fast!
Fabulous report-Thanks for sharing! 8)
Beautiful scenery
Nice, Justin if you ever venture further south I can take you to a spot on the Rangitikei I know.
Rgds
Mark
Great people, greatest rugby team, but does it ever stop raining there ;)
Thanks for sharing. Reading and seeing photos on this forum makes me feel that I know some of you, even though we never met.
Cheers lads.
QuoteReading and seeing photos on this forum makes me feel that I know some of you, even though we never met.
x2 mate.
Mark, be great to look ya up one day - heard great things about the Rangitikei!
you should get into tourism justin
you make that place look better than a shrimp on ;D
GREAT REPORT AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.
That a dream come true... Thank you for sharing.
Spectacular! Both the scenery and the trout...
My days of world travel are in the past, but if I have one long trip left in me, New Zealand would be the destination of choice. Looks like the Garden of Eden! :)
~A~
Quote from: Alto Mare on November 12, 2014, 12:57:16 AM
Beautiful place Justin, thanks for taking us along. Also, not a bad looking trout ;).
Sal
Same here Dominick
Thanks all - great to take ya along!
Beautiful scenery & great report!
My wife and I seriously considered moving to New Zealand about 12 years ago.
Unfortunately, upon further investigation, we found out that New Zealand would not accept us -- since we were too old -- and might impact their social system too much. We had our own resources, but ran into too many hurdles -- and ended up in the Sierras of California instead.
Here in the US, nearly anyone who can get across the border from another country, even illegally, will be granted full benefits and amnesty. I think New Zealand has the right idea -- although it seems very restrictive for legitimate folks who want to enjoy a great country -- and would not impact their social system.
Thanks for the wonderful story & pics!
Best,
Fred
Justin, spent six weeks in N.Z. in 1980-both North and South Islands. Probably the most beautiful place I've visited . The people are wonderful and treated this 'yank' like family. You're a lucky man!
Sorry to hear about that Fred.
If it's any consolation, we've long toyed with the idea of moving to Central CA for the Sierras and the sea - I love it there!
Islandgypsy - must've been a great trip. It could be the 'romaticism of the past', but NZ seemed like paradise in the '70s and '80s. Glad you've got fond memories of the trip!
Cheers lads
Everything works out for the best, Justin --
We have traveled and explored many of the mountain areas of North America -- and the Sierras offer more trees, animals, access, recreation, boating, kayaking, cross country and downhill skiing, and resources than any other places we have been to, in our opinion.
The backpacking is spectacular -- anything from easy day hikes, to the John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and hundreds of lakes and trails to explore. Generally with no other people around, believe it or not -- As long as you stay out of the National Parks. We are in the National Forest -- big difference.
Best,
Fred
1959 was my 1st visit,a good year,
i won a big melbourne cup pool on a horse called mcdougal
rock&roll was outlawed,
top of the hits was "running bear"
beer was shocking
fishing was great
maori,s taught me how to eat the eyes out of fresh snapper
just stick your finger in eye socket and jerk em out
beautiful country,no money,no poverty
had 4yrs there,ah to be young again
Hi Wallace,
Don't think any your qualified to comment on our beer, considering some of the stuff your Ozzies try and pass off as a brew. ;D
Rgds
Mark
Justin,
A 'mate ' and I were backpacking. When we got off the ferry in Pahia(sp) on the South Island we went out on the highway and held up a cardboard sign saying 'Christchurch' ( hitchhiking was common in those days)
Many cars later, we added 'Will buy gas'. Many cars later we added 'And beer'. The first car along left forty feet of skid marks coming to a stop. The beer cost A LOT more than the gas ! We wound up spending the night in his bothee(sp) or guest house. He took us fishing the next day and we landed a number of beautiful Rainbows. Fond memories of N. Z., indeed.-Greg
Jeez you guys have some cracker stories!
Wallace - that must've been a hell of a good trip.
Just had a listen to 'Running Bear' - what a classic, and written by the Big Bopper no less!
Can't say I've ever been tempted by snapper eyeballs though ;)
Spot on with the 'no money, no poverty' comment - was a golden time for sure.
Fred - my brother and family have been chipping away at the John Muir for the past few years and reckon it's amazing.
His mate rode the Pacific Crest (mountain bike with a trailer) too - but he's a madman ;)
You're lucky to live up there!
Greg - that's a 100% pure Kiwi story if ever I heard one :D ;D
Thanks for the report Justin
I did some spraying (agricultural chemicals) down there (Taumaranui)when I was in my early 20's
the farmland was extreme
you didn't fall down the hill you fell off!!!
Fred you are welcome in my bit of NZ and can stay as long as you like (or till we run out of Beer)
thanks for the stories Guys
hi mfb
the beer was so bad then
(55yrs ago) we only drank db stout.
all the aussie beer now is foriegn owned and some of it is real crook
i gotta agree
i only drink coopers,its brewed in the bottle
will put hairs on your chest like 1/2' conduit
Hi Wallace,
Already have a better than average covering of hair on my chest, in fact I wish some of it would migrate to the top of my head. Can recommend Steinlager for summer.
Rgds
Mark
Quote...you didn't fall down the hill you fell off!!!
So true Jon - fencing ridgelines around there must be like an extreme sport
Nice Fish!
On my list for sure.
Like Fred I can fish in my back yard but still have the drive to adventure far and wide.
Best,
JT
Great thread you started, Justin.
Have yet to visit your country, maybe one day.
Have a piece or two of it though given me by some wonderful Maori. Pounamu or greenstone gifts.
Some cracker bows there!
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers JT.
Steve-O - be great to see ya down here!
No tyrannosaurus gar this far south, but I'm sure we'd find something to keep ya busy ;)
Quote from: MFB on November 13, 2014, 06:37:23 PM
Hi Wallace,
Already have a better than average covering of hair on my chest, in fact I wish some of it would migrate to the top of my head. Can recommend Steinlager for summer.
Rgds
Mark
ha ha ha pull ya head in :D :D :D
Sad but true, the kids caught me sunbathing in the garden a couple of years ago & my eldest daughter informed me that I looked like an albino gorilla. :'(
Rgds
Mark
:D
we'll have to go visit someday!
I'll put the kettle on...
Rgds
Mark