land of the giants

Hokianga Harbour is a place of many wonders. 

Huge sand dunes, enormous tides, legendary dolphins, and the most magnificent trees of all. 

This kauri, Tane Mahuta or the lord of the forest, is about 2000 years old. It stands 51.5 meters tall and has a girth of nearly 14 meters. 

These four sisters share a root system. 

Te Matua Ngahere is nearly as big, with a girth of 16 meters. It was struck by lightning but continues to grow wider. 

Kauris have delicate, shallow roots, so the largest are protected with boardwalks and spraying stations to prevent further dieback. 

In California I've seen the world's tallest tree (Redwood NP), the widest tree (General Sherman in Sequoia NP), and the oldest tree (Methuselah at the Bristlecone Pine Forest), all in CA. But nothing prepared me for the majestic kauri forest. 

Tomorrow I'll be at the Kauri Museum learning more about local history. 

 

global feast

What makes a great guesthouse? 

Location certainly and an open kitchen or common area where visitors gather and converse. 

Free tea. Hammocks. Caring owners. Animals to play with. And if you're lucky, a holiday dinner with a bunch of travelers you just met. 

For Christmas we shared a feast prepared by everyone: pumpkin soup and bbq and beer bread and potato salad. 

I made a Waldorf salad, a genuinely American invention (first served at the Waldorf–Astoria) that went over well.  

My Rice Krispies treats were met with  confusion although it was fun making them. 

Santa came by throwing toffees. 

Everyone called home. 

No one went hungry. 

We took turns lying in the hammocks. 

And all was well in the world. 

Adding this brilliant panorama Robin took. The Rice Krispies treats were devoured eventually.