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Published: October 7th 2016
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The Land of the Kiwis
Ten days in New Zealand was a great experience, but it felt like I have been here for months. New Zealand has earned the nick name of backpackers/hikers paradise. The magnificent landscape, or better said, sea-scape of these islands are truly mesmerizing. Oceania or اقیانوسیه in Farsi, is perhaps one of the less spoken of cluster of countries and islands in the Pacific. Oceania is a region of the South Pacific Ocean that consists of many different island groups. It covers an area of over 3.3 million square miles. The island groups within Oceania are both countries or territories of other foreign nations. There are 14 countries within Oceania and they range in size from the very large such as Australia, to New Zealand, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.
First day I arrived in Auckland, which is pronounced Oakland by the locals ( the British accent). Took the ferry to the nearby Devonport island where I hiked Mt Victoria, on the outskirt of the Island. The magnificent view of the Tasman sea and the historic town of Auckland can be seen from atop this gorgeous hiking trails. I missed my Bay Area hiking buddies on this
trail the most. Traveling by bus is the way to really get to see this beautiful country. New Zealand is mainly divided into South and the North islands, and is the only country in the world that more than a third of its land is protected as a national land and forever remains natural and 'unhumanized!', if you will. The New Zealanders are called Kiwis and they are known for their extreme kindness and hospitality, if you don't mind their funny accent. Kiwi's accents are a little twisty English, the kind we do not hear on the streets of America too often.
The moment you leave the boundaries of the major cities herds of sheep are dotting the beautiful lush green foothills. New Zealand's sheep population and its people are the same, 4 million each, its estimated. What's funny though with all this lamb, on the restaurant menus you see dishes boasting the Moroccan lamb. I asked the waiter to help me understand this concept; he said that is because Moroccan sheep are fed differently, hence better tasting. I told him; I think that is more because we all love things that is made somewhere else than anything else,
a human nature. I travelled to the South Island to the city of Queenstown. Its the beginning of Spring in this region and everything is blooming and the rivers and waterfalls are roaring. It is funny that I had an additional season added to my life this year, one Spring at home and here is another Spring. I never knew there can be 5 reasons in a year 😊😊
The main point of interest in terms of natural glories in the South Island is a region called Milford Sound on the south west coast of New Zealand by the Tasman sea. It's a 5 hour bus ride to Milford Sound from the Queenstown, the most southern large city in New Zealand. The bus roaring through the, still snow covered high Southern Alps Mountains, is an amazing experience second to none. The inlet of the ocean into the valleys of high mountains and Fiordland were great. Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand in the south-western corner of the South Island. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern mountains, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys. Here, uniquely the ocean salt water
and fresh water coming from the many waterfalls and snow water mixes creating a hundred square mile of ocean with the top 100 feet of it being fresh water and the salt water being heavier lies underneath. The Dolphins in this area, it is said, to enjoy swimming from fresh water to salt water and seem to enjoy it.
I will have a couple of days in Auckland before flying to Sydney on Tuesday. Activities like skiing, bungy jumping, and skydiving and booming here. During the past year I have been contemplating skydiving and have tried to conceptualize its fear factor that has held me back. I met a man on the hiking trail today that helped me make a decision to schedule a jump as soon as I can, perhaps in the Napa Vally, California. When I shared my interest in skydiving with him, he asked me what has stopped me from diving, and I honestly told him about my fears. He said; You see, it is ok not to like or wanting to do something in life, but if you desire to do something and the reason you're not doing it is because you are afraid of
doing it, is a different story. He said what helped him decide to do skydiving was exactly that. You can not be afraid of your fears, he said. He had my full attention, he made sense. If you like to do something but you're not doing it because you are afraid, that probably mean you apply the same attitude on the other important decisions in your life. So, I will be diving when I get home – I decided.
Monday September 19, it's my last night in New Zealand. I took an hour boat ride to the Waiheke Island off the coast of Auckland. Waiheke has about 4 to 5 thousand residence, depending on the time of the year. I hiked the trails about 9 miles around the island alongside the serene and peaceful beaches. A lot of good Syrah and Pinot Noir New Zealand wine come from this island. Visited Cable Bay Vineyards and tried some delicious local wines.
Australia
Finally reaching Sydney, Australia. A fun city to roam around. Good food and super friendly folks that make you feel right at home. It's the beginning of Spring here, and the weather is fabulous.
Drinking River Water
We were lining up to drink from the pristine river water and fill up our bottles in Milford Sound, New Zealand. The best water I have ever tasted I hiked the Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, South Wales Australia. About 2 hour train ride from Sydney. This is where you may forget your name and forget about the rest of the world for a while. Can not find proper words to describe it. Thinking of my daughter Andrea on these trails, I miss her beyond words.
I attended my friends Paddy and Lena's wedding in Sydney a few days ago, the main catalyst to bring me to this are of the world, and I had fabulous evening of festivity and celebration with good food, good wine, and gathering of wonderful family and friends.
My last night in Sydney before flying to San Francisco tomorrow. On this trip, everything from attending my friends Paddy and Lena's wedding, to the best places, best cup of coffee, best wine I tasted and the best people I met. It has been a tremendous experience.
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