After my class finished in Whakatane we drove an hour west to Lake Rotoiti, where Caroline Stewart lent us her lakefront bach (cabin) that nestled up to steep hills shrouded in low clouds.
Just down the road from the cabin was a fabulous hiking trail through the bush between Lake Rotoiti and neighboring Lake Rotoma.
When we walked into the bush, the sound of cicadas and birds filled the air. It was damp and verdant, abundant with plant life clinging to every tree trunk.
Tangles of vine filled the voids off the man-made path, making me wonder how the earliest people to venture onto the islands of New Zealand ever made progress across the land. It had to be time staking, arduous work.
A slice through a fallen tree reveals multiple whorls of growth through its vermillion and maroon trunk.
A myriad of mushrooms and fungi grew alongside glistening mosses on fallen logs.
On our second day at Lake Rotoiti we ventured around the west side of the lake to Okere Falls.
We hiked the track up and over the hill top that runs along side the Kaituna river with several viewing spots for the different falls.
There are multiple rafting companies that provide a variety of ways to go down the river and over the falls, but I was quite content to stay on land and watch the rafters navigate the rapids.
When I think of New Zealand I think of the color green. There is so much dense plant life the color dominates every vista.
Now if I could have these two things on a regular basis in the US, I would be soooooo happy. I adore Lisa’s Aubergine (eggplant) and cashew dip/spread, I think I bought a new container every week on the trip. I love New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but there’s so many fabulous Rosé wines and other varietals from New Zealand that we are missing out on in the US.
We had a lovely 2 days of R&R at Lake Rotoiti, filled with hiking, reading, and relaxing. I can’t thank Caroline enough for sharing her little bach with us. ❤️
Next we hit the road for New Plymouth on the west coast, with a lot more beautiful sights along the way.
Keep creating,
Judy
I’d love to spark your creativity at one of these upcoming events:
I’m not sure how many of these events will take place due to impact of the corona virus, but I’ll post cancellations and updates as they occur.
2020
May 27-31 Woodland Ridge Retreat, Menomonie, WI
Tea & Ephemera and Painting Imagery with Textile Paints
Australia!!! Cancelled
Berry, AU- June 27, 28 Berry Quilting Retreat 2 day Tea & Ephemera
Adelaide, AU- July 2, South Australia Quilters Guild Lecture
July 3, 4 Exhibition with the South Australia Quilters
July 10-16 Quilt Encounter 3-day Paint & Printapalooza, 2 day Tea & Ephemera
Brisbane, AU- July 18, 19 Queensland Quilters 2 day Tea & Ephemera
August 11-13 Calico Cutters, West Chester, PA
Tsukineko Inks and Tea & Ephemera
August 31 Color Theory lecture Pioneer Quilters Guild, Loomis, CA
September 26 River City Quilt and Fiber Art Festival, Sacramento, CA Tea & Ephemera
October 18-24 Hudson Valley Quilt Retreat, Greenville, NY
Paint and Printapalooza
ABOUT JUDY
Judy is an artist, explorer, image wrangler, knowledge seeker, instructor, speaker, creative alchemist, and purveyor of inspiration, helping others channel creativity on a daily basis.
6 responses to “Recharging my batteries at Lake Rotoiti”
Thank you for taking us on this trip! The patterns in the tree trunks are fascinating. I’d love to hike with a local naturalist who could explain them. And after seeing your photos, I’d love to go to New Zealand.
you’re welcome Jeanne, now if only you could hear the birds you’d be asking for a guide on that too! 😁It is a very special place and it’s wonderful to see the people who live there know it and take care of it. The visual contrast on returning to the US is startling, you’d think we live in a trash can, it’s pretty shameful.
Such exquisite flora and fauna.. A very inspiring country, so very beautiful! Thanks for the tour!
You’re welcome Susan ❤️
My sister lives above the Okere Falls and you can look down on the kayakers coming down the falls from part of her garden. Again I loved your photographs and the fresh take on NZ natural vegetation. I live next to a farm park and take my dog for walks there most days, often with my camera though I don’t know what I will do with all the photos. So glad you were able to come before Covid raised its ugly head. The borders are all closed now so it will be a while before we get any other international tutors here
Hi Carol,
yes I feel so grateful I went to NZ when I did, I would have been crushed if Covid hit before the trip after all the planning and money invested. And now I have so many wonderful memories to get me through this shut down. Having the extra time has made it much easier to write all the blog posts too. 🙂
Your sister is so lucky to be able to see part of the falls from her garden! The water is so gorgeous in color and action, we were in awe watching the power of all that water flowing so fast.