I said good bye to the English girls after a twilight tour in the Waipoua Forest north of where I live. The Maori led tour is, after only two years in existence, rated as one of the top 80 ecotours by the Lonely Planet Guide. The Maori tour guides tell some stories and sing (an important part of their culture) songs of respect to the trees. It is a wonderful introduction to a wee bit of Maoridom for visitors who might not have had such an experience before.
We went at full moon (with occasional clouds) and it was stunning. The 2000 -4000 year old Kauri trees are even more impressive by moonlight. What I love is that in their branches is another world with over 35 species. What I hate is that nearly all of the giants were felled by early settlers.
This week I'm in Auckland at Greg's and attending some of the documentary film festival movies. "What would Jesus buy?" is an American anti-consumer comedy pointing out how the megastores (Walmart) are destroying small town America and Christmas has become a retail nightmare that bankrupts poor Americans. Not to mention has poor people working in sweatshops internationally to supply stupid goods we don't really even need.
Last week was spring equinox so the winds and weather have begun! Last week was t-shirt weather, this week hail. This is because the garden tours and competitions are beginning and the weather gods are sent to test the gardeners.
On to my work now, got deadlines to meet and documentaries to see.
