Day 105 February 22nd 2007, Giant Trees - Russell to Waipoua Forest, 114km

We had lunch in style today on one of Hakianga Harbors beaches, on the West Coast of the North Island. BBQ steak, a little tricky as the tide was coming in and I had to rescue our little disposable BBQ a few times.

Shelley hugging one of the smaller Kauri Trees

Continuing our journey we arrived in Waipoua Forest a large Kauri Forest home to some of the Worlds oldest and largest trees. Finding an almost abandoned campsite we quickly pitched our tent before heading off to meet some Maoris who were going to take us on a twilight tour of the forest.

Matua Ngahere

This was a truly magical experience, the trees astonishing in their size. We first visited Te Matua Ngahere the widest Kauri tree and the second largest in existence. Size is measured by the amount of timber the tree could produce. The Trees Maori name means Father of the Forest, one of the Maoria's called Dan sang a greeting as we approached the tree, a sign of respect for the tree. Te Matua Ngahere is estimated to be 2000 years old and was one of the talking trees represented in Lord of the Rings.

Tane Mahuta (not my own picture as it was dark when we met this guy)

As the light faded away we approached Tane Mahuta its name meaning Lord of the Forest, again Dan chanted a greeting and we sat in darkness and silence at the base of the tree looking up through its brances as the clear night sky started to light up with stars. Our other guide Bim then said a Maori prayer.

Highlights: Tane Mahuta