📷 Somewhere on the Edge of the World. New Zealand. Part 3

While walking on the beaches, do not forget about sunscreen, because the sun's rays are more harmful there than in all other countries of the world — it is over New Zealand that is the same ozone hole, which is frightening humanity, and sunbathing is not recommended. Because of too active sun, New Zealanders often suffer from skin cancer and look older than their years.

When traveling to the north of the North Island, be sure to visit the shores of the river Kerikeri. It is very pleasant to walk along the eucalyptus forest, looking at the crowns of huge evergreen giants.

It so happened that during the flight from Beijing our baggage with @kibela was lost there. And there were very important tools of the photographer — two tripods and filters. While looking for luggage and he flew to us, we continued to travel and got to just a crazy place, Waipu caves. There is another cave system, well-maintained, but this one is definitely more interesting, because for the first time I was in a wild cave. There are a lot of tourists here too, but the chance to remain alone with the miracle remains.

You take off your shoes, walk along the underground river into the depths of the cave, illuminating your way with a flashlight, and then, at a certain moment, at the direction of the guide, turn off the light and find yourself in total darkness. A few seconds my eyes get used to it, you look up and ... did you see the stars? Well, so — the star sky is scattered over you! Myriads of luminous points flicker around, you see new constellations, but it seems that there are friends there too. But these are not gas giants ...

Honestly, the fabulous sensations fade a little when, by the light of a flashlight, you start looking at the source of light:

It is Glow Worms. They look not very nice, but what beauty they create! I didn’t manage to take a photo in the darkness without a tripod, so I suggest to watch not mine short film about this miracle of nature here, if you want.

Another place that you will not find in tourist guides is Koutu Boulders. A girl stands on one of these boulders — a huge stone ball-concretion.

Maori has a legend that these boulders are petrified pumpkins from the mythical canoe of Captain Arai-te-uru, which has been wrecked. Or maybe it's just a billiard ball from the table of the gods?

In general, in New Zealand there are landscapes for every taste. I will try to show the diversity of natural landscapes and understand very well Peter Jackson, who shot his films exclusively in his native country. Here you are, for example, the real desert, which can be viewed from the town of Omapere.

And here, on the observation deck of the western cape Arai-te-Uru Recreation Reserve, you can look at the trees that resist the constant winds and look very unusual.

To be continued... ;)

Part 1
Part 2

Camera: OLYMPUS E-M1 MarkII

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You can also see my photos in my blogs on Golos and LJ

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