(photograph © Kiwidutch)
This is my retro tour of our December 2011-January 2012 trip to New Zealand.
We’ve veered off the beaten track for the moment and are on a smaller Provincial State highway … almost at the small town I’d like to visit when suddenly a break in the clouds has us going ”whoa… stop the car!” and pulling over to the side of the road for a moment to get a better look.
Unexpectedly, there in the middle of a range of hills, is a stunning waterfall. There is a turn off to the Falls sign-posted just a little further down the road and it doesn’t look too far at all, so on the spur of the moment we decide to go and see if we can quickly get a closer look.
The even smaller side road gets us a few kilometres closer and ends in a public car park where Himself and the kids tumble out of the van to take a look at some information boards.
We learn that these are called the Wairere Falls, and normally Himself would love nothing better than to set out on a brisk walk to see them up close. However we learn that the shortest route to the Falls will take 45 minutes (Himself with his “daddy Dutch legs”could probably do that in far less, but the kids would want to join him so there’s no realistic hope for a quick walk)
The other hazard is that he and the kids don’t really have proper walking shoes here with us, I think Himself’s old pair of hiking boots are in my Aunt and Uncle’s loft back in Christchurch… not so much a problem if the track were dry but without them, in this weather, not wise.
The last problem is one of time… we have a meeting arranged later in the afternoon in Auckland city with a family member and this is going to cut things just a little too fine.
This is definitely a walk we would love to do (whatever the weather) if we could come prepared with the right clothing and shoes and with ample time. So the result today is … a future blog post with photographic views from the top on a future New Zealand trip (sans crutches on my part) is now on our “to do” list and something to look forward to.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
I never been here, thats a big falls
Comment by rsmacaalay — May 14, 2012 @ 8:04 am |
We already have this on a “must go back and do properly” list, next time hopefully in better weather and for me in a better state of health and mobility. A place for you to see one day perhaps?
Comment by kiwidutch — May 18, 2012 @ 9:59 pm |
Beautiful!
Comment by Tilly Bud — May 14, 2012 @ 9:50 am |
I know, and so unexpected because we had no clue it was there, spotted it by chance and were lucky that the low cloud lifted to reveal it just at the right time. Another time when I’m fit to walk again, I’d love to walk in to see it close up.
Comment by kiwidutch — May 18, 2012 @ 9:58 pm |