MARK: If you ask me what the TWO things are that I will remember most from our five weeks in New Zealand, it might surprise you. What do you reckon?
Beautiful scenery, aqua-marine glacial lakes or incised ‘V’ shaped valleys? Snow-capped mountains, speeding jet boats or little planes affording brilliant views? Wine, wine and more wine? The un-PC “classless” people, superb weather – only two grey days in 32 – or single lane roads where Chinese drivers cause mayhem?
Just some of the experiences that readily spring to mind. But just what will stay with me forever?
Ladies and Gentlemen, the masters20152016.com Award for Remembrance goes to…….. drum roll Oscar style……..
Big blue sky and bright blue water
… the Sky and the Sea!
Yep I know, that may be a bit random, but let me explain.
The sky here seems so much”bigger” and bluer than any other country in the world we have ever been to. Quick research on the web suggests this is possibly due to the lack of pollution, reduced ozone in the atmosphere and is linked to the angle of New Zealand in relation to the Sun’s UV rays. Whatever it is, we have been sooooooo privileged to see so many amazing blue skies each day. And even on the few days it has been grey, the fascinating cloud formations have been just as dramatic.
OK that’s the sky bit over with, so what about the sea? Good question Mark.
We’ve seen a lot of it during our 4,163 mile road journey around the two islands. From Bluff at the bottom of South Island to near the Cape Reinga Peninsula in the North. Benign one minute, a tumultuous cauldron the next, it makes you realise just how insignificant you are in the scheme of things. It is mesmerizing just watching the surf break. The noise can be deafening close up. I certainly have great respect for those early explorers including Captain Cook who took on the might of the oceans and not always with positive outcomes.
A grain of sand
The sky and the sea, literally came together during one of our last adventures, when we bounced along on an ex New Zealand Royal Navy rescue boat, owned and run by local Whitianga legend Steve Miller – The Cave Cruzer. Steve and his lovely wife Vicki also own the bed and breakfast accommodation we stayed in – Absolute Beachview – a great place if you are ever in this neck of the woods.
But back to the legend for a minute who, by the way, drives an aqua-marine 1974 Mustang convertible…
Steve has saved the lives of TWO people in the past few months due to his fantastic CPR skills. His latest heroics just over a month ago, got a lot of media attention as he saved a lady’s life on Monday, who then married on Friday of that same week. Read all about it for yourselves by clicking on the links below to access the online reports:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/weddings/76594618/Nearly-drowned-on-Monday-married-on-Friday
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11585911
The God that is Steve, at Cathedral Cove.
Heading off on Sunday morning the sun decided to come out and what a 3 hour trip we had!
The sun will come out
The Rib was able to get really close to so many rock and cliff formations…and wildlife you could literally touch!
Hungry birds
Tree-mendous stacks
Big sky meets big sea
“The Champagne Glass” – sadly upside down and empty
The largest sea cave in the southern hemisphere
Inside the cave, the fish came out to play
It was such a fun trip….
Smile please as we pass through what is known as the “washing machine”
Captain Cook – the bloke from Middlesbrough – named this Cathedral Cove – Sarah impressed as you can see!
Get a shave
And then WOW. Steve got a call to say there was a pod of Bottlenose dolphins in the Bay around the corner. We sped off. The first sight we had, came when one of these amazing creatures started jumping over a chap on a kayak nearby. Within minutes there were dolphins everywhere around our boat, heading towards the centre of the main estuary channel. I decided to get in amongst them as you do – and they decided to move on, so that was the end of my swimming with dolphins bit. No wet suit Phil W in the north!
Look at the size of the white bull (bottom)
Everywhere you looked
Side by side – two mates out for a swim
Out of focus, but you get the sort of idea
I frightened them off – so I hung on the back of the rib as it headed off at speeds of 30 mph, my hair blowing in the wind from the big inboard motors
The two videos I took on my 35mm camera perhaps give a better idea – sorry about the shakes and the poor quality… Click on the link or the video arrow and have a look…
And so we say good-bye to New Zealand. Only two days in Auckland before we fly over the international date-line to Chile on Sunday. A few days in Santiago and then another couple of flights up to Ecuador for the start of our tour to the Amazon Jungle and beyond. Wifi is doubtless going to be harder to access, so we will post when we can. In the meantime, a massive thank you to all those who continue to email, phone, text, Skype, WhatsApp, Viber and post comments on the site. We are getting on average 200+ unique views from around the World per blog from over 58 countries, excluding the rest of the site. So a big thank you from us for following us and thanks for the amazing comments – we really appreciate it.
We “wave” goodbye to New Zealand… next stop somehere that sounds colder but is actually warmer – Chile – another wine producing country. Get the real reason for this trip?
BIG THANKS TO THE EXCELLENT ALOA SEAVIEW RESORT MOTEL IN PAIHIA WHO HAVE KINDLY HELPED WITH THE UPLOAD OF THESE VIDEOS. AN EXCELLENT MOTEL IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS – http://www.aloha.co.nz – SPEAK TO JASON AND SAY HI FROM ME FOR A MASSIVE DISCOUNT OR NOT.
"MASTERS" 
Mark & Sarah.
What fantastic photos from NZ. Certainly looked like you had an amazing time there. You are going to love Ecuador and indeed all of South America.
Just finished reading Bear Grylls book about climbing Everest. Think Nepal will be my next big adventure!
Keep enjoying the travels & I look forward to the next blog. BTW. I heard from Jan. she is following your blog too.
Lots of love. Anne xx
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Wish we could join you would love to do the Anapana Trail… one day. Looking forward to Ecuador tomorrow… any tips? Glad Jan reading the propaganda ….love M and S… Ps have you ever been to Middlesbrough..?????
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Brilliant as ever Mark. Really enjoy catching up on your trip, very evocative. Enjoy SAmerica
Kevin&Kath
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Thanks Kevin and Kath – hope you are both well. Really appreciate your comments – means a lot. Best wishes M and S
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Not called Aotearoa for nothing! Far more imaginative than ‘New Zealand’. I guess when the Maoris arrived by boat the land of the long white cloud was by far the most striking impression. Fantastic clouds boiling up over the only land mass for many many miles. I’m sure it started my fascination with water. So many forms, cloud, geyser, ice, sleet, snow, waterfalls and rapids and mist and fog and many types of cloud.
Another very striking thing about New Zealand once you realise it, is that it is the only place where the indigenous people settled their affairs as equals by treaty with the incoming white explorers. There was no ‘subduing of the natives’ – Maoris too fierce for that. They own much of the coastland too, if you are privileged to be invited to a Maori owned beach it is a living landscape which you can live off (crabs, fishing, driftwood fires). Damn. I long to go back. In many ways it is home.
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You write as true New Zelander, with passion, insight and the ability to paint a wonderful picture through words rather than images. You should have been a writer – I would have bought your novels. Mark
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Hello
You are looking great, and having a whale of a time or should I say dolphin!
I like the lovely photos; your views from the aircraft are excellent, must have had very clear glass.
Not long now before your return to grey Britain, but know doubt you are looking forward to having a rest after the epic events you have endured.
Be careful, if you can’t be careful be good.
Best wishes
Shirley and Bert
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Hi Bert and Shirley – lovely to hear from you. Is the house still standing? Only a couple of months and we will see you again. Take care M and Sx
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I really don’t want this journey to end. Can you go round again just one more time, please? Chile, well at least this time you won’t be following in our footsteps as we have never been! So, so looking forward to it. Travel safe.
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Hope we don’t get a cold reception in Chile….. M and S – PS going round again
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Brilliant…again😄 Good luck Mark and Sarah in South America looking forward to hear from you again. 😘
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Thanks Astrid and regards to A and C – take care in the frozen north that is Northumberland
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What a wonderful goodbye to such a beautiful country that I am determined to visit We honeymooned in South Africa and we dubbed that “Big Sky Country” Have a safe trip across the Pacific and get back to those pesky anti mosquito pills and potions, Zika is getting a lot of headlines over here Keep up the blogs when you can, keep up the wonderful experiences! Warm regards Ian Sent from my iPad
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It’s a great place and I commend it to the House. Likely to be full of Americans if Trump gets in….BUT have been bitten here MORE than he whole of the rest of the trip… Malaria tabs starts again in four days – yuk
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Know exactly what you mean about the skies and the sea. South America here you come. Enjoy!
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Cheers! S
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Another fab post mark and Sarah. Looking forward to the photos from the Amazon
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Thanks David – we look forward to it greatly – a bit like Dronfield Woodhouse I’m told….
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HI Mark & Sarah
wishing you both well and have a great time in South America. GB CANOEING are already making trips out to Rio for the Olympics. Interesting stories already coming out from the venue. Not as easy for practicing in 2012.
Look forward to the next instalment.
best wishes
Sue
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Hi Sue – thanks for your note…. yes in Rio just before the Olympics so will report back from the GB training camp. M and S x
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