Page 10 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - April '20

Page 10, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens DOUBLE SPACE
New Zealand, Land Of The Long White Cloud…

By Don Kiselewski, various marine life. Kelly, an explorer
MCC, D.S., Palm Beach himself, also includes an excellent
Gardens Travel Leaders working exhibit of the Shackleton
Some 130 million years expedition to Antarctica.
ago, New Zealand broke The Bay of Islands on the
away, separating itself from northwestern tip of the North Island is
Australia. Fifty million years a great sailing area, and has a number
later it split from Gondwana, of interesting sights. The seamen
and twenty million years from whaling ships gave the town of
after that it found its final Russell its notorious reputation. It
resting place … 1,500 miles was at Wiatangi where the treaty was
from where it started, now signed by the Māori chiefs that gave
separated by the Tasman Sea from Australia. It’s no wonder Great Britain control of New Zealand.
that lying so far south in the Pacific Ocean, it was one of the Manginangina National Park is not far
last places on earth to be inhabited by man. There is much from Paihia. This is where the huge
discussion on the exact origin of its first inhabitants. Scholars Kaori trees grow…they are about
believe that their base was in the Austronesian society of the same size as our California giant
Southeast Asia. redwoods.
Nonetheless, a little over a thousand years ago, the Wellington, the national capital, is
first visitors to take roots have been tied linguistically to on the south end of the North Island.
Polynesia. These early visitors beat the Europeans to the From the hilltops that surround the city, Peak in Milford Sound
islands by some 800 years. Called the “Vikings of the there are tremendous vistas of Cook
Sunrise,” their descendants became known as Māori. Landing Straight, which separates the two main islands of the country. meters must be climbed from sea level, unlike Mount Everest,
on the northeastern tip of the North Island of New Zealand, A unique architectural structure, affectionately known as the where base camp is more than half the way up.
they made their way west stopping at the second lake, naming “Bee Hive,” formed the addition to the original parliament Cruising the southern part of the Southern Alps, one finds
it Rotorua (second lake). Continuing west they came upon building when space for an addition wasn’t available. the fjords of the South Pacific … just like those in Norway,
a sight never before seen … the horizon was snow white. Located on the city’s waterfront is “Te Papa,” New Zealand’s with hanging glaciers and magnificent waterfalls. Numerous
So unusual was the sight that they named the land after the national museum. hiking trails snake through the area. The Milford Trace is
sighting, calling it Aotearoa, “Land of the long white cloud.” New Zealand’s South Island is about the same size as the most well-known of these tracks. The craggy cliffs that
Conjecture has it that this was the first sighting of snow on Florida, and like our state, has white sand beaches lapped by circle the southwestern end of the island are reminiscent of
the mountains that frame the eastern coast of the islands. beautiful blue waves. However, unlike our state, the island those along the west coast of Ireland.
Whakarewarewa, simply known as “Waka,” located in reaches over 12,000 feet, less than 25 miles away from the Gold was found in New Zealand near Arrowtown at the
Rotorua on the North Island, has become the heart of the seashore. The Southern Alps run for 500 miles along the same time as our great California rush. Queenstown, lying
Māori Nation, and is New Zealand’s portion of the “Ring of island’s western shore and got their name from their rugged just to the south, has become the “Aspen” of the alpine skiing
Fire.” Its landscape is accented by thermal activity, geysers counterpart located across the southern part of Europe. It was area. In addition to being the ski capital, the area is the home
and hot bubbling mud pools. The area also boasts excellent here where the late Sir Edmond Hilary trained for his climb of bungee jumping and jet boat rides on the rushing waters
fishing, agricultural exhibits and not to be forgotten, an of Mount Everest in Nepal. Mount Cook, New Zealand’s that wind through the canyons.
occasional vibration of the earth. A constant reminder of the tallest mountain, is touted as the world’s tallest. Its 3,754 Checkerboard fields, separated by hedgerows and stone
effects of Mount Tarawera’s wrath can be witnessed in the fences and reminiscent of
buried village below. the Canterbury plains of
Auckland is the port of entry from the United States. It England, are located near
is the country’s largest city with one out of every three of Christchurch. The city
New Zealand’s four million people living there. The city carries the reputation as the
has everything to offer the urban culture traveler; shows, most English city outside
museums, sporting (especially sailing – the previous home of of England because of its
the America’s Cup) and great vistas from the top of volcanoes Anglican foundation. Here
that pop up all over the area. The abandoned city’s sewage you can go punting on the
treatment plant was revamped by Kelly Tarlton into one of Avon River or watch children
the finest aquariums in the South Pacific. One travels on a as they walk from school in
moving sidewalk some 110 meters long in an acrylic dome their shorts, knee socks and
that snakes back and forth under the water in viewing the beanies.
Landscape on the north
end of the island resembles

Parliament House, Wellington New Zealand on page 11 Yellow-eyed penguin

Mother Nature’s Pantry

Serving The Community For 40 Years

Everything you need for a healthier lifestyle

H Sandwiches & Wraps
Bath House in Rotorua H Homemade Soups

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H Energy Drinks - Juices

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and many more

The Carter & Snell families on the Disney Dream We Will Meet Any Competitor’s Price
getting ready for their Pirate Night adventure.
Give us a call so we can help you say “Ahoy”
to your next cruise vacation.

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