van wyk journeys 
Still +26 and mostly clear.
To reach our destination we must travel through the Waipoua Forest driving on winding roads with dense tropical forests on both sides. We stop at the oldest Kauri tree in the world. Take in the Kauri Museum and arrive at our destination a B&B called The Matakohe House.
The Waipoua Forest is amazing, dense is a simple term for it. The canopy is amazing hanging over the roadway along winding steep roads. I am happy that traffic is light as the corners are tight.
We arrive at the site of the oldest Kauri tree on the planet. It’s an interesting stop and not expected. People, vehicles are all around, the fee to enter is a walk through a gate to disinfect our shoes. The disinfectant is to protect the ancient kauri tree as it is quite sensitive and can easily be harmed by simply stepping on its roots.
We expected a long walk but found ourselves in front of the oldest tree in minutes. It is massive. To see the tree, we walked for 5 more minutes and we then have a view of the tree, it is massive. The length of the trunk is 17.7 meters, with canopy its 51.5 meters and the trunk diameter is 13.8 meters, its age is about 2,000 years old.
The Kauri Museum is next. The building is deceiving viewed from outside once inside it is easy to get lost as there are many rooms. The museum covers more than just the kauri trees and includes the gumdiggers, amber and an in-depth overview of logging in New Zealand. Though the feature is the kauri tree. In a large room that appears to be the feature, in the room is a large 3” thick slab of a kauri tree that has been finished so that the colour and grain is clearly seen.
Arrival at The Matakoe House is easy as it is just down the street from the museum. This B&B is different from all the other places that we are staying overnight. It has a total of 4 rooms all with balconies with views of the surrounding valleys. Nighttime views of the night-time sky were amazing, I have never seen so many stars, it’s amazing what you can see without background lighting.
Best Regards
From van Wyk Journey’s
Bill & Joan
I noticed on the internet, two days ago while researching NZ amber, that a piece similar in size to the one you pictured, sold for $16,000. Many Canadians seem to be visiting NZ at this time. Have fun!
Its a good thing I did not ask the price of that piece of amber and there were many more inside of the “Amber” room. Canadians are probably coming here rather that going to the US, nice weather and only a few customs hassles here.