Raphael Kessler

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New Zealand

 

After arriving in Auckland, I spent a few days taking it easy, then I bought a van from a builder I knew and cleaned it up and converted it into a very comfy camper. It actually got to the point where I was more comfortable in the van than a proper bed. I managed to sell the van very promptly before I left the country.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - My very own camper van
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - My very own camper van interior
 

Near the town of Rotorua are the geothermal pools of Wai-O-Tapu. They are steaming and bubbling away, with mud water and so forth. Many are attractive colours.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Wai-o-Tapu - Black steaming hole
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Wai-o-Tapu - Bubbling mud
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Wai-o-Tapu - Steaming orange pool
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - River
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Wai-o-Tapu - Steaming hole
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Wai-o-Tapu - Yellow pond
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Wai-o-Tapu - yellow pool

Just a little further south are the Craters of the Moon, where the ground seems to be smoking, although on closer inspection it is steam venting.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Scorched earth
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Steam columns
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Rotorua - Steam rocks

The North Island is flatter than the South and most empty ground is either farmed or has animals grazing. 

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Cornfield
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Sheep
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Sheep
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Green fields

At Lake Taupo, one could see a near constant procession of skydivers leaping from planes overhead. I had a more sedate look at the place.

(c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Field

After some time in the North Island, I crossed by ferry to the South Island, through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Marlborough Sound
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Marlborough Sound

The scenery in the South Island became immediately more dramatic, with rivers of pristine clear water flowing through mountain valleys.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Clear river and rocks
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Clear river and rocks
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Clear river and rocks

The Abel Tasman National Park has some attractive beaches and clear blue water that looks like something from the tropics. It is when you get in the water you realise it isn't.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Abel Tasman - sea and trees
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Abel Tasman - sea
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Abel Tasman - sea and trees
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Abel Tasman national park

Cape Foulwind is on the west coast and seems to get strong surges, crashing against the rocks. There is also a seal colony. The third photo has Teresa, my travelling companion for much of the South Island.

  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Cape Foulwind
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Cape Foulwind - coast flows
  • (c) Copyright - Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Cape Foulwind - Teresa on the rocks

The Pancake Rocks are so called, because they look like an unfeasibly large stack of pancakes. There are also blowholes and a nice view along the coastline.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Pancake rocks blow hole spray
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Pancake rocks coast line
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Pancake rocks
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Pancake rocks sea spray
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Pancake rocks sunset

Further down the West Coast are the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. These pictures are of the Franz Josef Glacier. Although the weather was unpleasant, it was still a worthwhile trek to the glacier snout. As we left the glacier and were a little way from it, I turned to Teresa and said that I thought that was probably the best view there. As she turned, a huge section dropped off the face of the glacier. Many, many tonnes crashing earthwards.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Franz Josef glacier
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Franz Josef glacier
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Franz Josef glacier
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Franz Josef glacier

The Fjord of Milford Sound is a top tourist draw, because of its beautiful setting, mountains and waterfalls. It is also in the wettest part of a wet country. That means that the visibility sometimes drops to just a couple of metres. Not ideal for looking at scenery. We were booked on a cruise first thing in the morning, but the rain was torrential so we chilled out with some fishermen on their boat, where they were sheltering from the storm. In the afternoon, we went on the cruise and the weather lifted, so we could see what we had come for. Some of the waterfalls were in full flood and others apparently only appear after heavy storms, like the one we had experienced.

Stewart Island is south of the South Island. It was previously known as the South Island and what is currently the South Island was known as Middle Island. Stewart Island is not the southernmost island in New Zealand, though it is the southernmost large island.

The island is sparsely populated and most of it is a nature reserve where one has a good opportunity to see a variety of birdlife. For some reason I cannot find my photos of this area, as soon as I do, I will update this area.

 

The Catlins is an area of outstanding natural beauty at the south of the South Island. There, one finds lovely coastlines, beaches, wildlife, petrified tree trunks, waterfalls and more. It is also in the Catlins one finds the southern most point of the South Island.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - Coast
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - reflecting pools
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - kelp on shore
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - forest
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - Parakanui beach
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - Parakanui waterfall
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - Parakanui waterfall
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - spiders
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - spiders
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Catlins - south sign

The twelve apostles are a group of pinnacles out to sea.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Twelve Apostles
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Twelve Apostles

One of the most picturesque points in the Catlins is the McClean Falls, a succession of cascades, descending hundreds of feet.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - McClean waterfalls
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - McClean waterfalls
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - McClean waterfalls
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - McClean waterfalls

The Otago peninsula juts out near to Dunedin. In Dunedin I had met up with Harriet, a friend I had previously met in the Cook Islands. In the picture she isn't actually about to club someone but is playing Netball (photo 1). The peninsula is home to The Royal Albatross, the only albatross that nests on a mainland (photo 3). There are also black swans (photo 4) and other birds. Larnach castle claims to be the only castle in New Zealand, though by European standards, it wouldn't qualify as a particularly grand home (photos 7&8).

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Dunedin - Harriet and the camel toes
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Pineapple rock
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Royal Albatross
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Black swans
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula birds
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Sheep on the road
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Castle
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Castle
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Fields and clouds
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Kelp in the sea
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Otago Peninsula - Penguin sign

Up the East Coast one can find the Moeraki Boulders, spherical nodules that slowly emerge from the mud.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Moeraki Boulders - In a row
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Moeraki Boulders - Me inside a boulder
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Moeraki Boulders - cracked open
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Moeraki Boulders - part buried

Kaikoura is famous as a location for viewing sperm whales. Normally it is difficult to see these whales, though due to the abnormally deep trench alongside the coast here, adolescent males spend several years taking advantage.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Coastline
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale fin
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale spraying
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale tail
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Sperm whale tail

In the same area there are hundreds of dusky dolphins speeding along and performing acrobatics. Unfortunately due to the low light conditions I wasn't able to get a clear shot of the dolphins as they moved at such speed.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Dusky dolphin
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Kaikoura - Dusky dolphin

The north of the North Island is appropriately known as Northland. In this area, you can find stunning beaches and great diving opportunities. The most northerly point is marked by a lighthouse (photo 1). There are also some stunning beaches (photo 3-5). 

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Northland - North point
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Northland - North spit
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Northland - Beach reflections
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Northland - beach

Ninety mile beach is definitely a long beach, ninety miles long.

(c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Northland - Ninety mile beach

The sunsets along the coast were nice and there was a very bright moon that night.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Waitangi - Sunset
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Waitangi - Night road lights

Waitangi is where the treaty that forms the backbone of New Zealand's law and was an agreement between the Maori chiefs and the British crown. In more recent times, the treaty has been used as a basis for reparation claims by Maoris. At the treaty grounds, there are impressively carved boats, buildings and statues.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Waitangi - Boat house
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Waitangi - Meeting house
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Waitangi - carvings

The Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa are possibly the most ornately designed public toilets to be found anywhere.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Hundertwasser possibly the fanciest public toilets in the world
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Hundertwasser possibly the fanciest public toilets in the world
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Hundertwasser possibly the fanciest public toilets in the world

In the Glow-worm Cave, it is pitch black, yet there are constellations of glow worms along the roof. The following photos were taken with a thirty second exposure and the glow-worms phosphorescence was enough to show the rocks that were actually in near total darkness (photos 1&2). Outside the caves were an interesting  shaped rock (photo 3).

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - The glow worm cave
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - The glow worm cave
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Outside the glow worm cave

All over New Zealand one can find attractive mountains. The road to Arthur's Pass has a fantastic feeling of venturing into the depths of the mountains. The highest peak in Oceania is Mount Cook (photos 3-5). As with many of the places in New Zealand, there was a decided lack of imagination in naming some of the mountains, for example The Remarkables (photo 7) near the adventure capital of Queenstown. 

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - The road to the Arthur Pass
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Corn fields and mountains
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Mountains
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Mount Cook
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Mount Cook
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Mount Cook with rainbow
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - The Remarkables

The Huku Waterfall is a raging turquoise torrent. Nearby is another waterfall, set in the countryside.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Huku Waterfall torrent of water
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Huku Waterfall torrent of water
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Waterfall

The scenery around New Zealand was famously used for the Lord of the Rings trilogy of films. Some bits are picturesque and others are a bit mysterious like the Mirror Lake (photo 1), which sometimes has a near perfect reflection.

  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Mirror Lake
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Beach
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - See through bridge
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Field and sky
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Hills and fields
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Lake and reeds
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Field and mountains
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Taupo view
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Penguin sign
  • (c) Copyright Raphael Kessler 2011 - New Zealand - Mount Taranaki wrapped in cloud

 

All the images and text on this website are the copyright sole property of Raphael Kessler and cannot be copied or reproduced without his express permission. 
If you want to use any of his intellectual material please contact him via the link above