Northland

Northland is the northern end of New Zealand, most of the area above Auckland.  Much like the rest of the  island, it consists of farmland and forests, with some spectacular beaches along the coast.  This part of New Zealand is where the Kauri trees live.  The resin they produce is also known as 'gum', and for about 100 years it was a major export for the country.  Among other things, the industry of gumdigging sparked a major influx of Dalmatians (nowadays they'd be called Croatians). The industry petered out in the 1930's, and the Kauri forests have gone back to being the peaceful wilderness they once were.

This is the thickest (although not the largest) Kauri tree in the world, at 5 meters wide.  It's not that big compared to the giant redwoods, but it's got a lot of character to it.  Drop by and say Hi if you're in the area.

A Dalmation Gumdigger.

In general New Zealand towns are colourless and dull.  If nothing else, it does make the occasional eccentric stand out all the brighter.

This is the bay off the east coast of the northern cape.  Why do bays always form in semi-circles?

This is the most northern chunk of land in New Zealand.  At the base of the tree is the traditional place that souls come to enter the Maori underworld.

The view from the far north of New Zealand.  To the left is the Tasman Ocean, to the right is the Pacific Ocean.  In the middle is apparently the Island Of Doctor Doom.

After a few days on the road, I realized that I needed some sort of itinerary, rather than just wandering aimlessly.  A brief look at a map revealed a likely one, and this (Whangaroa Harbour) became stop #1.

There's no fence dividing these two herds ... it really is true, sheep and cattle just don't mix.

Stop #2

This poor little fellow didn't make it across the road.  I'm not sure what he is, though.

Stop #3

Ah, the country life.  I suppose all those sheep have to end up somewhere...

Stop #4

I drove extensively throughout New Zealand, with some fairly odd results.  One of the strangest is that I can now clearly remember all of the driving I did in the United States as being on the left side of the road.  I'm really hoping all of my memories swap back when I return to the U.S.!

Stop #5

Maori can be a very pretty language at times.