aotearoa in photographs

i thought you all would better appreciate where i was going if you could see some pictures (they are not ones i have taken, but ones i found via google images. my own will follow in about six months).

first up to bat is a map of new zealand. i am sure not everyone knows where it is or what it looks, so take a look:


i am flying into auckland. do you see it? it is at the north part of the north island. quick fact: new zealand is made up of two main islands: the north and the south. i will be traveling to both. also, quick side notes on auckland. it is the biggest city in new zealand, roughly over 1 million residents and it is home to the tallest man-made structure in the southern hemisphere, the sky tower.


this is a picture from the south island, attempting to capture the serenity of the southern alps. the southern alps are home to mt. cook, franz joseph glacier, and insane amounts of extreme sports. i for one have no intention of skiing or snowboarding while in nz, but i am planning on going up to the fj glacier. apparently its awesome, but pricey.


and this here is abel tasman. it is located on the north part of the south island. it is named after the explorer, abel tasman, who was the first whitey to see new zealand. and get this... he first spotted new zealand on december 13, 1641 (or 42, i can't remember). for those of you who don't know, that is my birthday. well, 240 some odd years prior to it. anyway, this area is an amazing area to camp, hike, swim, kayak, build sand castles, spot dolphins and whales off the coast. if any of you know rachel melby, she went there. she has AMAZING pictures posted on her facebook, if you want to take a peek. they are great.

well, that is enough for me right now. two posts in one day? that's pretty phenomenal. i hope you enjoyed some tidbits and pictures of nz. i will post again soon.

js