Exploring New Zealand

On Friday, February 19, 2010 we went to Metal Image, met Max and got a tour of the Metal Image production facility. Max's brother Andrew was then nice enough to let me borrow his wonderful Ellsworth bicycle and led us on a tour of his local bike tracks. His tracks were wonderful, quite tight with all the vegetation around. Without hesitation a branch decided to find its way into the wonderful carbon fiber derailleur and went the extra distance to find several of the spokes on the wheel. Quite an accomplishment considering it was a low spoke count wheel. I was not hurt but the wheel would not even turn so I got to carry the bike home. The reward for breaking the bike was a wonderful home cooked meal made by Andrew and his wife. After a consuming the wonderful meal, Max, Jill and I drove down to the farm.

We arrived at the farm late and tired. Max's mother, Allison was there to welcome us into her house. His sister and her husband (Ann and ???) lived in the same house in a separate wing of the house.

On Saturday, February 20th Max, Jill and I went on a tour of the Rotorua area. This is a volcanic area that is popular with tourists.

The first thing we did was a ride called The Luge. Quite fun. Here is Ed, Jill and Max heading up the gondola

Here goes Jill Screaming down the track:


Although it doesn't look like much, that little luge did get off the ground and did get quite exciting around some of the corners.

Here are some pictures of Lake Rotorua from the top:

We then went off to explore the town of Rotorua. A nice little tourist town the main attraction is the volcanic activity.


Redwood Forest

There is a walk on the south end of Lake Rotorua that has some of these features. I think the smell of rotten eggs would be unbearable if we did not have that wonderful wind that we had during our visit. Here is one sign that I thought was interesting.

Here is the pool that the sign was talking about. Not really inviting. I am sure there are better ways to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of hot water.

There is a Redwood forest in New Zealand. This forest was planted in the 1900's as part of a trial of over 170 different tree species. Most of the tree species did not survive but the Redwoods have grown well. The tallest is now over 67 Meters. We did a walk through the forest while there was a mountain bike race close by.

Jill in the Redwood forest..

Ed in the Redwood forest..

We then drove through the "Lakes District" on our way back to the farm. We only got a little lost.


Jill and Ed at the Lakes District:

Ed and Max at the Lakes District: