Rotokare Reserve

This is what most of New Zealand looked like before Europeans and invasive mammals were introduced a couple hundred years ago. This reserve is surrounded by a 10 ft tall and many mile long small mesh fence to keep out the invasive and voracious Australian possum, which eats many tons of NZ plantlife every night. This is about 20 km from Stratford. We have not exhausted all the interesting sites on Taranaki yet, and there are many more to see.

The giant ferns are everywhere, and at first glance look like palm trees. They get to be 20 feet tall and are called Ponga Trees or Black Ferns. The giant fern leaf is one of the common NZ icons -- along with the Kiwi bird and Southern Cross. Many of the sports teams are named after the Ponga: Black Ferns (rugby), White Ferns (soccer), Silver Ferns (netball).

Some kind of giant indiginous tree...... and some voracious Americans.

Office Christmas Party

Rick's first experience with Cricket (pictured with his coach, 12 year old Jeremy, grandson of a Croatian immigrant and quite the keen sportsman). He's still out there playing and it's been a week already. (Apparently cricket games last for days.)
Three grills were needed to feed 40 people at the Christmas party. Everyone gets together at the beach. Some stay in the guest beach house, but most bring tents and camp out in the back yard of the beach house. We played volleyball and cricket on the beach, swam, cooked- out, drank, and just had a great time. It really seems more like really good friends hanging out rather than co-workers.

When we came back to the house from being on the beach someone was playing Christmas music, which I thought was a prank for a split second until I realized that we were in fact having Christmas at the beach in 75 degree weather. Very strange.

This is the sun rising over the Tongariro Range and Mount Ruapehu (Mt Mordor -- sp?-- in Lord of the Rings).

The summit of Mount Taranaki from Fantham's Peak. We will make this trip another time. Fantham's Peak is the shoulder of Taranaki, and actually a parasitic cone off of the original volcano. The movie "The Last Samuri" was filmed in Taranaki, and featured the mountain in many scenes. It rises 3000 meters from sea level and is a striking presence wherever you are on the Cape.

Climb to Fantham's Peak

This is the sun setting over the Tasman Sea, as seen from Fantham's Peak. The picture is taken from above the cloud level.

This is the lodging on the peak -- Syme's Hut and convenient facilities. It was warm and comfortable. Mount Taranaki was right next door and an incredible site up close.

"Harmatton"

This is the second painting in the "weather" series.
The Stratford Art Society Exhibition

Weiheke Island

Beautiful even when gray.

Weiheke Island

Make sure you read the fine print on the shop.

The Traveling Gypsies

I think I've seen these guys at a Phish show!

The Traveling Gypsies

Bacon Bob in the lead..... what you don't see is the guy chasing them through the course. Still, good fun for all and a big draw at the Stratford Fair.

Can't get enough pigs......

Vietnamese bacon.

Kiwis are famoujs ax-men, and this past year were world champion lumberjacks.

Stratford Agricultural Show

There is an annual Ag show in Stratford, with MANY fun events. This could have been in just about any rural community in the US ..... except for the snacks: Hot dogs or AMERICAN hot dogs, veggie pitas and lamb shanks to go.