New Zealand 2007 

 

                                    Day Twenty-Four  Waitomo Caves April 06

                                               

                                            Day started with a tour around New Plymouth and the sea front.  The city faces the Tasman Sea

                                            and has a very nice sea walk - including a "Wind Wand" designed by a local artist.  Winds move

                                            the sculpture with a a lighted globe on the top end.

 

                                            Mt Egmont overlooks the city and is just a short drive to the visitors' center.  The National Park

                                            has several tracks, including a climb to the summit (7 hours return).  Our choice was the Ngatoro

                                            Loop Track.  Rain forest type trees and ferns lined the trail and a final vista included the valley

                                            of New Plymouth.

 

                                            Returning to New Plymouth included a lunch stop at Pukekura park.  Among the serendipitous

                                            flora was the Fernery and Display Houses.  Each display house was connected by tunnels and

                                            located on various levels.  Remainder of the park included a small zoo, amphitheatre, and various

                                            dells dedicated to different plant genres and trees.

 

                                            The highway to Waitomo Caves included stops at the black volcanic Tasman Sea beaches.

 

 

                                                                                

 

                                                                

 

                                                                     

 

                                                             

 

                                                                   

 

                                                                           

 

                                                                                    

                                                       

                                                                                            Last Updated 2007 March email@ellerberoad.com