If you’ve not been to Piha, New Zealand, here’s a scene leaving the small west coast hamlet, driving up the narrow curving road to the lookout. The road doesn’t accommodate big trucks well. Although there is some building going on, Piha is surprisingly relaxed considering it’s about 25 minutes from New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland. We spent the NZ winter there in ’09, and this was our commute for groceries and visiting with Amanda’s sister and kids in Auckland.
Archive for the ‘New Zealand’ Category
On The Road- Piha, New Zealand
10/05/2010New Zealand by Sustainable Travel
27/01/2010The splendours of New Zealand are best seen by rail
By Dan Poole
The Independent
TranzCoastal crosses the Waimakariri
Grand Central, St Pancras, Milano Centrale – and, er, Britomart? The main station in New Zealand’s largest city sounds as though it is named after a discount car-parts retailer. In fact, Auckland’s Britomart Transport Centre occupies a handsome Victorian building on Queen Elizabeth II Square, and is apparently named after a character from The Faerie Queene.
It is also the northern terminus of New Zealand’s longest train ride – the 12-hour haul south to the capital, Wellington – known as the Overlander. And as if to hint at the views that lie ahead, it is run by Tranz Scenic. Read the rest of this story
MSI Covered in Magazine Article
28/11/2009“Vacations with a Purpose” Cover Story writes about Mountain Spirit Institute’s work in NZ/Peru
“To Travel is to Explore, Dream, Discover”
"Vacations with a Purpose" Cover Story
An article recently appeared in New Hampshire’s Kearsarge Magazine about Mountain Spirit Institute by writer Deb McKew. It can be read on our Press Clips Webpage, as an excerpt from the magazine. Click on the first listing at the top of the page. We encourage you to purchase this good read of a magazine if you’re in the New Hampshire, USA area. Publisher Laura Jean Whitcomb does a great job with the magazine.
The article has a shot of MSI founder R. Richards doing a bit of ice climbing on a glacier in Mt. Aspiring National Park, and covered Mountain Spirit’s core mission of getting people connected “with themselves, each other and the environment”, where we “combine experiential wilderness programs with spiritual development”.
Richards near Mt. Aspiring, NZ
As the article states, “some programs are solely wilderness based while others are workshop based.”
The article informs readers of the educational programs and unique nature of MSI mission of getting people out of their native countries and into the mountains and cultures abroad. Being a non-profit organization, MSI strives to bring people of different backgrounds and countries together, to learn about new ways to work together, and to re-examine one’s role in the natural environment, and in the world community.
Sir Edmund Hillary Museum, New Zealand
18/11/2009Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki Mt. Cook Inspires, Gives Glimpse into Hillary’s Character
Hillary Museum in NZ
By Randall Richards
We passed through the Aoraki Mt. Cook area, on New Zealand’s South Island, and made our way through the fancy Hermitage Hotel to find the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. I knew of Hillary the climber, but the display, video presentations, memorabilia and photos portrayed a humble man with astounding climbing ability, a self depreciating style and sense of humor.
He was the first to reach Everest’s summit for a reason. His solid climbing skills, drive and competitiveness all put him in the position with Tenzing Norgay to be the first summiteers on Chomulungma.
Multimedia Displays, with Norgay/Hillary
The reason this story made its way onto this blog, is he seemed to have also been truly a nice guy. He was loved by his fellow Kiwis. He took care to leave the world a better place than he found it by creating a foundation that built schools and educated those in the Everest region. One leaves with a good feeling about Sir Ed, after strolling among old photos, his book collection and accounts of his relationships with family, friends and of course his sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
I have a greater respect for Mr. Hillary after having learned more about him at this Alpine Centre Museum dedicated to his life and acheivements.
From the Centre’s Website:
“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”
Hillary, His Early Days
“A tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, humanitarian, ambassador and one of the world’s greatest explorers, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe.
Designed to educate and entertain, the centre features a spectacular state-of-the-art 3D movie, New Zealand’s first full dome digital Planetarium and Museum which documents the pioneering heart of the region and features the impressive Hillary Gallery.
The Hillary Gallery depicts Sir Edmund’s longstanding connection with the region and touches upon his achievements, expeditions and life’s work. It was here he climbed his first major mountain, achieved a number of impressive first ascents including the difficult south face of Mount Cook, and trained for his Everest and Antarctic expeditions.
Located adjacent to The Hermitage Hotel in the majestic Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is an opportunity to explore and connect to the national identity and celebrate the cultural characteristics New Zealanders hold dear.”
Yo.
MSI to Participate in VT International Festival
12/11/2009
DEC 4-6 Burlington VT
Mountain Spirit Institute will be attending Burlington Vermont’s International Festival on December 4th-6th. MSI will have a booth explaining the mission and programs of the organization. In particular, the Peruvian/USA Music Exchange with the Cusco band Chimu Inka, that was so popular in 2008 will be featured at the booth. Also our Peru and New Zealand programs will be presented, where visitors will have a chance to find out more about going on an MSI program in those countries or here in the U.S. MSI will also have Peruvian Fair Trade products and Chimu Inka CD’s and instruments for sale to help raise funds for their return, and to fund other MSI programs as well.
The Festival has been running for over fifteen years, and according to Amanda Richards, the organizers of the event are excited to have Mountain Spirit attend the festival. We look forward to being there as well!
“eco” Products now in USA
06/11/2009
"eco" now in U.S.
New Zealand’s eco brand, now available in USA,
Just might take U.S. by storm, one good product at a time.
By Randall Richards
My wife has been living in Kiwi-land for a while now, and when we got married in NZ, I couldn’t help but run into eco products throughout the country. Now back in the USA for a while, I was about to have my sister-in-law ship some organic eco coconut soap stateside. Fortunately while on the phone with her I Google’d “eco usa” and found, lo and behold, their new USA website.
Here’s an excerpt on their voyage from Down under:
“Eco NZ was founded more than 15 years ago by Melanie and Malcolm Rands from their home in an eco village in New Zealand.
eco founder, Malcolm Rands
All of the families that lived in the farm based eco village shared a commitment to organic growing and healthy living, making this an ideal environment in which a young, environmentally conscious business could thrive. Each household in the village was responsible for their own waste water, which quickly highlighted the problems caused by using regular supermarket cleaning products that relied heavily on cheap, petroleum-based, synthetic ingredients.
Incredible journey
25/06/2009After decades of international debate, Auckland University researchers have found the first concrete evidence that Polynesian explorers reached South America before Europeans. The research team, led by archaeologist Elizabeth A. Matisoo-Smith, used genetic analysis and radiocarbon dating of chicken bones found in Chile to show that the fowl originated in Polynesia and not Europe, as was previously believed. (more…)
Inspirational People
20/06/2009One Boy’s Passion for Wilderness Survival Skills
Marco & Jelena Wells
One never knows when an inspirational person will cross one’s path. Today, for me, it came in the form of Marco Wells, all of 12 years, who visited us in Piha, with his sister Jelena, mother and father Tina and Steve and grandmother Helen from the former republic of Yugoslavia, (who recently attended our wedding a few weeks ago.) From the start, it’s a bit hard to determine who’s the biggest inspiration in this family, whether it’s Helen for starting her journey to New Zealand from eastern Europe years ago, or Marco’s dad who fosters his son’s love of the outdoors and wilderness survival. Then there’s his mother, who gets just as excited as her son, when we got the compass out and starting shooting bearings off the nearby peaks. It could also be his wonderful sister who’s eyes lit up during our day hike, when she looked over the edge of the windy cliff, which dropped a few hundred metres down to the Tasman sea. But this story leads me back to Marco.
A few weeks ago at our wedding, “Grandmother Helen” (we’ve also adopted her as our own), told us about her grandson who “is interested in the out-of-doors”. Well, when I started talking to Marco today at our home, “interested” was an understatement. Marco is passionate about wilderness skills, wild edibles, feeling the wind, and even a bit of climbing and just being out there. He’s got it in his blood.
Today's Hiking Buddies
My wife and I later wondered aloud, after they had left back for the Auckland area, what makes one boy passionate about the outdoors and the next, not. I was that boy which started with my romping and winter camping trips around the John F Gile Memorial Forest and Morgan Pond in New Hamsphire. Marco, his dad and I talked about “nature deficit disorder” and, stating the obvious, I mentioned the threat of video games, technology and kid’s lack of nature time.
(Image: L-R:Randy & Amanda Richards, Grandmother Helen, Marco, Yelena, Tina and Steven Wells)
Kare Kare Beach from our Hike Today
Not Marco! He’s out back building different types of fires, constructing snares and assembling survival kits in a can. OK, I’m sure he puts his own time on the computer too, but he sure knows quite a few native plants and is working on lots of survival skills. On our walk today he was naming a number of plants and their their uses. He taught me a number of things today, but one stuck in my mind. When collecting and using silver ferns for a emergency shelter, be sure to turn the ferns belly up, otherwise, the tiny seeds, adhered to the bottom sides of the fern, will drop off on you during the night causing irritation and itching. He showed me the tiny seeds. Marco, just so you know, I’ll not forget that. (more…)
Simon & Garfunkel Tour’09
18/06/2009
S&G perform in Auckland, NZ
Simon & Garfunkel Reunite,… & Ignite
Simon & Garfunkel kicked off their 2009 tour in Auckland New Zealand last weekend, and the author and his wife were fortunate enough to be there. The second of two sell-out shows had four standing ovations. The duo performed from 8PM to past 10PM without an intermission. The two did take turns doing solo time on the stage to perform songs from their time apart. They were visibly moved by the audience’s enthusiasm. The concert was held at the Vector Stadium in downtown Auckland. I had to pinch myself, to make sure I was really seeing and hearing them in person. These iconic performers and songwriters of course played America, Kathy’s Song, Homeward Bound, The Boxer, Bridge over Troubled Water, The Sound of Silence and Mrs. Robinson. Their contribution to a generation’s values and foresight is significant, but you’d never know it seeing them on stage. They were as humble as the local musician on a street corner.
Travel Essentials
17/06/2009I’ve been on the road for a considerable time, vagabonding from Brittany France to Hawaii, and Patagonia or working as a guide. Either in between jobs, and most times, because of them, I’ve been fortunate enough to see some wonderful sites. My wife recently visited an excellent travel clinic here in New Zealand called….The Travel Clinic headed by Dr Anwar Hoosen. Their website is brilliant, which has tons of information for the traveler and the doctor knows his stuff. Dr. Hoosen is only an email away for clients who have had an initial consult before their trip.
Pristine Bottle
Not only did Amanda receive excellent advice, but the clinic had an array of products that I had to recommend here. All items can be purchased through Travel Clinic, or if your elsewhere, which is more than likely, simply do a Google search for the item, which is listed below by brand name .
Top on the list is the Pristine water bottle with built in charcoal filter. While climbing or trekking in the backcountry warrants a regular filter, this item is perfect for traveling. The doctor at the Travel Clinic takes this with him to India and beyond for use with tap water and clear sources.
Enerlyte
Enerlyte is used to treat and prevent dehydration due to diarrhoea and traveller’s gastroenteritis in adults and children. While there are a number of products available, the packets/sachets are a good size for individual use and easy to pack. Some found abroad are larger doses.
HandClens is a foaming sanitizer and lotion which is alcohol-free. Most sanitizers contain alcohol. They come in 50ml sizes and can go a long way in prevention of germs.
Paper Soap
Pocket or Paper Soap leaves are cool. They are a quick way to get soap in your hands without carrying a bar of soap in your pocket. Who would have thunk? The brand we picked up in NZ are made by Sea to Summit.
"Whiz Freedom"
Whiz Freedom, or similar brand items have helped many a female client over the years, become more comfortable peeing outside or at public toilets. I’ve recommended this sort of thing on our mountain trips, but will also recommend them on front-country expeditions as well.
"GSE"
Grape Fruit Seed Extract or GSE, by Nutribiotic, has been recommended for years as a bacteriacide and health supportive supplement. I’ve washed my veggies in a concentration for years, and taken it internally when sick at home or abroad. It kicks butt. If you’ve not heard of it, I highly recommend doing your own research on it. Available at most health food stores stateside.
SteriPEN
SteriPEN makes hand-held water purifiers with ultraviolet light as the medium. Although I’ve not used them, I plan on purchasing one soon. The price is very affordable, and great for travel to places like Peru or India. They make a few different models, one for packing, traveling and a new version with digital read-out capability.
No-Jet-Lag
No-Jet-Lag is a homeopathic jet lag prevention pill with no side effects or drug interactions and is natural. While I’ve not used them, they have good reports. Made in New Zealand. Their packaging is now cooler than the image on left, if that sways you in any way.
Coca leaves for altitude sickness? Hmmm. Stay tuned, I’ll tell you what I’ve learned in another post.
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