A new, improved version of Northland Secrets, updated to include some rare footage of Māori waiata (singing) at the oldest living kauri tree, courtesy of geocachers Early Rizers.
Click here if you cannot see the above video to go to the YouTube page.
Billed as "A Real New Zealand Town", Maungaturoto was first settled by pioneers from the Albertland Settlement Scheme back in 1863, the Māori name meaning "Valley Between Two Hills". See: http://www.realtownmaungaturoto.co.nz/
- Waipoua Forest
An ancient rainforest, the Waipoua reserve comprises 247 hectares (greater than the size of more than 600 football pitches), with more than 300 species of trees, shrubs and ferns.
- Te Matua Ngahere
Meaning "Father of the Forest" in Māori, it is thought to be the oldest living kauri tree. Enjoy the Māori waiata, captured by fellow geocachers Early Rizers whilst doing the FaberOptimé Te Matua Ngahere geocache (for more info, see here).
- Tane Mahuta
Meaning "God of the Forest" in Māori, it is the largest living Kauri tree, estimated to be over 2000 years old. It stands about 52 metres tall, with a girth of 13.8 metres.
- Omapere
"Gateway to the Hokianga" (a long, estuarine drowned valley).
- The Hundertwasser Public Toilets
Designed by internationally-renowned artist, ecologist and architect, Freidrich Hundertwasser, he recycled the communitys old glass bottles and reclaimed bricks, and incorporated these into the only structure he ever built in the Southern Hemisphere.
Grass adorns the roof, a tree is incorporated into the structure and mosaic tiling, copper handwork, sculptures and cobblestone flooring abound.
- Wellsford
A small Northland town with some interesting corrugated iron!
- Other art, sculpture and pink sheep?!
Posted 6:17 PM, Thursday, March 19, 2009, by Faber Optimé. Post permanently located here. Click here to email the author about this post.
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of red wine...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two glasses of red wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
Now, said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.'
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.'
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.
The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of red wine with a friend.'
Share this with a friend,
I JUST DID!
Posted 6:12 PM, , by Faber Optimé. Post permanently located here. Click here to email the author about this post.
Kia ora, talofa lava, malo e lelei, ni sa bula vinaka, kia orana, fakaalofa lahi atu, kam na mauri, taloha ni, greetings!
One of the largest free events in the South Pacific, the Pasifika Festival comprises ten "villages", each from a differing South Pacific island community. Now in its 17th year, this one day event is held annually in Western Springs park, Auckland, New Zealand.
The villages (in order of appearance): Tangata Whenua; Tokelau; Fiji; Samoa; Tuvalu; Niue; Cook Islands; Tonga; Tahiti and Kiribati.
TANGATA WHENUA Meaning "people of the land" in Māori, this village presents the hosts - Ngati Whatua o Orakei.
TOKELAU One of the smallest and most isolated island groups in the Pacific.
FIJI Fierce warriors and friendly Fijian policemen usher entertainment and mat weaving, tapa printing and wood carving crafts.
SAMOA Known throughout Polynesia as the "happy people", the Samoan village highlights food, dance and fashion, with traditional Samoan dishes such as cold pineapple salad, tropical ice cream and food prepared in an umu (earth oven); dance groups, bands and choirs and a fashion show, Fa'afetai Lava.
TUVALU Tuvalu means "eight beautiful islands".
"Tuvalu culture is rare and unique And hold a message we should seek Hold our culture way up high And our Tuvalu culture will never die. I normally hear friendly waves on our island shore when I was little It is not anymore The sound is getting louder and threatening My Tuvalu island is going to disappear from the rising sea level Tuvalu, my beautiful Tuvalu I cry for you." - Apiseka Eka
NIUE Originating from the word "niu", meaning coconut, Niue literally translates as "here is a coconut". Also known as the "Rock of the Pacific", comprised of a single island, Niue is the largest raised coral atoll in the world. With song, music, challenge dances (meke), traditional weaving, coconut grating, umu cooking and a range of handicrafts made from pandanus and coconut leaves. Niue is also proud home to Miss Vanessa Marsh - Miss Niue and Miss South Pacific 2009.
COOK ISLANDS The Cook Islands are known as the "Pearl of the Pacific". To the sound of the conch shell, drumming, ukuleles and warm smiles, Cook Island dances make your feet and hips move in magical ways. Abundant delicacies, intricate handicrafts and rich resources are key features of this vibrant community.
TONGA Tonga means "south" and is another highlight of the South Pacific. Traditional Tongan music by Kava groups, tapa cloth making and mat weaving.
TAHITI Tahiti is made up of 118 islands in five archipalle - Tuamotu, Marquases, Australle, Society and Gambier. Home to the finest black pearls and a blend of Tahitian and French cultures.
KIRIBATI Featuring traditional dances or mwaies, such as "Te Eitei" - where head and arm movements imitate the frigate bird, an I-Kiribati symbol of peace and freedom. A chance to taste their foods and see Kiribati weaving and tilbuta (a traditional blouse, unique to the I-Kiribati women).
Billed as "A Real New Zealand Town", Maungaturoto was first settled by pioneers from the Albertland Settlement Scheme back in 1863, the Māori name meaning "Valley Between Two Hills". See: http://www.realtownmaungaturoto.co.nz
- Waipoua Forest
An ancient rainforest, the Waipoua reserve comprises 247 hectares (greater than the size of more than 600 football pitches), with more than 300 species of trees, shrubs and ferns.
- Tane Mahuta
Meaning "God of the Forest" in Māori, it is the largest living Kauri tree, estimated to be over 2000 years old. It stands about 52 metres tall, with a girth of 13.8 metres.
- Omapere
"Gateway to the Hokianga" (a long, estuarine drowned valley).
- The Hundertwasser Public Toilets
Designed by internationally-renowned artist, ecologist and architect, Freidrich Hundertwasser, he recycled the communitys old glass bottles and reclaimed bricks, and incorporated these into the only structure he ever built in the Southern Hemisphere.
Grass adorns the roof, a tree is incorporated into the structure and mosaic tiling, copper handwork, sculptures and cobblestone flooring abound.
- Wellsford
A small Northland town with some interesting corrugated iron!
- Other art, sculpture and pink sheep?!
Posted 11:40 PM, Wednesday, March 04, 2009, by Faber Optimé. Post permanently located here. Click here to email the author about this post.
World News Headlines: 
Posted 6:17 PM, Thursday, March 19, 2009, by 
0 Comment(s)
Blog Links
