According to Māori mythology, Mt. Taranaki once resided in the middle of the North Island, with all the other New Zealand volcanoes. The beautiful Pihanga was coveted by all the mountains, and a great battle broke out between them. Mt. Tongariro eventually won the day, inflicted great wounds on the side of Taranaki, and causing him to flee. Taranaki headed westwards, following Te Toka a Rahotu (the Rock of Rahotu) and forming the deep gorges of the Whanganui River, paused for a while, creating the depression that formed the Te Ngaere swamp. When Taranaki conceals himself with rainclouds, he is said to be crying for his lost love, and during spectacular sunsets, he is said to be displaying himself to her. In turn, Mt. Tongariro's eruptions are said to be a warning to Mt. Taranaki not to return
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After our canoeing adventure, we traveled further north to the town of New Plymouth which lies at the base of Mt. Taranaki. New Plymouth is a sleepy beach side town rich both Maori and Pakeha (people of European descent) history. We spent our time here enjoying take out food, biking along the beach and being just plain lazy. It was hard to leave New Plymouth, it reminded me so much of Santa Cruz and the bay area - it has definitely earned a top spot on my list of NZ places to see.
*Side note, another trip highlight, the park in Wanganui.
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| Leaving Raetihi |
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| Amazing Park in Wanganui |
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| This zip-line was broken but didn't I make it look like it wasn't? |
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| Mao Skeleton at the Pukeariki Museum |
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| SeaSpray Hostel |
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| New Plymouth |
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| Kitchen at Seaspray |
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| Seaspray Common Room |
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| New Plymouth Bike Path |
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| Te Rewa Rewa Bridge |
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| New Plymouth Botanical Gardens |
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| New Plymouth Zoo |
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| Botanical Gardens |
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| Botanical Gardens |
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| Botanical Gardens |
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| New Plymouth Zoo |
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| New Plymouth Zoo |
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| Botanic Gardens |
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| On the Way Home We Stopped to Watch Stratfords Glockenspiel. It was just ok but a nice stop |
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