Down Under in New Zealand - Kerikeri

One of Mum's favourite places in New Zealand is Kerikeri and we were lucky enough to spend a couple of days there while we were over in NZ.  We enjoyed a lovely walk to the Fairy & Rainbow Falls.  

The New Zealand bush is quite a bit different to the English woods...it is more dense and green.  There was an easy walking track though - over the years places are a lot more accessible for the general population than they used to be and this is good in some ways.

There always has to be a 'board walk' somewhere in the bush - this is to protect the fragile roots and ecosystems from being destroyed by many feet tramping over them.  

They put the wire on them to stop them getting slippery as it can often be damp in the bush.   It wasn't damp today as the summer weather has been fantastic, but it was nice and cool in the bush and plenty of shade cover was provided.

If you walk quietly you can hear all sorts of native birds sing and you often see little fantails flitting to and fro.

There is something special about walking through such a beautiful place.

Of course there is always a chance for some rock climbing.

A boy's got to do what a boy's got to do!

Ta Da!

What you couldn't see me?  Here I am!

I inspect this tree that seems to be growing round the rock  boulders.

Quite intriguing...I think at some stage there must have been a slip and the tree went with the rocks and ended up growing round them.

Swinging in the vines is always a bit of fun.

Look, no hands!

Oh hang, on this is a better view of no hands!

Quiet contemplation was needed after all that excitement...

Listening to the waterfall was so restful

Time for some mischief!

Mum wasn't too happy to see me draped over this rock near the muddy water, I can tell you!

I mess around for a while before we head back on track.

Having just seen the fairy falls we now head towards the rainbow falls

Oh, what are these?

Little orange fungi growing on some branch debris.

Yikes!  I'm stuck!

Help!  Get me out of here!   

Only kidding - I thought it would be fun to get between these two rocks.

Some balancing is also called for.

More climbing!

Quite hard work this was....

Oh, hang on a minute, what is this?

An old wasp nest by the looks of things.....so glad it didn't have any wasps still in it!

Before we get to Rainbow Falls we come across Fairy Pools - funny how everywhere in the world there seems to be various variations of fairy and rainbow falls, springs and pools!

The reflections were amazing.

Finally!  Here I am at Rainbow Falls.  

Still quite a bit of water considering the summer has been so dry.

Time to head back.

I am tired so Aunty J carries me...