In preparation for this trip I take a look at the blog. How long's it been since I posted last...? 12 YEARS?! Crikey! It's been a bit since I've embarked on an extended adventure. Wanderlust is burning a hole in my heart. I'd been meaning to take a trip to New Zealand for a few years now. When Covid struck I sat back on my laurels to ride the storm out. Time to fly again.
The departure lounge at Dane County Regional Airport must be new. I don't remember seeing this inlaid floor map of the Yahara River watershed. The water is depicted with what looks like Pâte de Verre (that's French for 'Paste of Glass'), fine granules of colored glass (in this case blue ranging from brilliant cerulean to deepest ultramarine) are mixed with a binding agent, packed into place, then fired until fused. It's a nice effect and, if indeed the method employed here, an excellent execution. Features on the map are labeled in all different directions. To get a good read one must twist about the entire area covered by the map. Fun!
Connecting flight to Dallas. This airport is lookin' fine, and with the sun setting outside terminal windows *chef's kiss*. I order a shitty meal if only to pass the time. $25 for a sammich and some fries. Highway robbery. Night falls and we're off. I disembark on a Sunday (3/09) but won't arrive in Auckland until Tuesday morn (more robbery). In Auckland I learn my connecting flight to Wellington is canceled. Tech difficulties. I briefly debate just renting a car and driving the distance. Not worth it. Take the conciliatory accommodation and rescheduled flight instead.
Finally, I arrive in Wellington Wed morn (3/12). Pick up my rental and now I'm learning to drive on the wrong side of the road. It turns out I have a habit of driving too far to the left when the steering wheel is on the right, scrubbing the curb. What's this doing to my tire? (I will learn the hard way...stay tuned). No matter. In downtown Wellington I'm looking for parking. It's crowded down here, streets are narrow. The odds are against me. Consider my nerves wracked. I'm late for pick-up for this Lord of the Rings tour I've booked. At the pick-up site an elderly couple pull up and poke their heads out their vehicle, "Are you Peter?" Indeed, they've found me, the driver is on his way. Kind folk down here.
I'm chauffeured around town along with a pair of senior citizen couples; one from France, the other from Australia. Our guide is verbose and seemingly wasting time with unnecessary details. Never-the-less I learn some insights regarding the production of those beloved films. Strange that so much of them were shot in public parks. Everything we are shown looks so banal despite the epic nature of the films. The program includes a guided tour of Weta Workshop, the special effects studio responsible for so much of the production value. Check the pix, y'all!
Long drive to Egmont/Taranaki Maunga Thursday morning. The volcano that gives the park its name looms in the distance for many miles. The views here are stunning. The transition over park boundary is abrupt. One minute, I'm driving through endless pasture. The next, an impenetrable bulwark of jungle foliage springs up; moss draped boughs forming a verdant vault overhead. At the Visitor's Center I plan my next move. I intend to take the summit tomorrow and more after...? Keep it locked!
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