South Island Saga continued: The importance of lava trees.

New Zealand has a great many endemic species of plants; that is, native, and found only in New Zealand. I've talked in other posts about some of these fascinating species. The kauri tree is a prime example.   

It was therefore no surprise, when Alan, our bus driver, and saga sage, announced to us over the bus intercom as we drove along the coast toward Invercargill, that our first stop today, would be to see some lava trees.  

Jeanne and I looked at each other.  Lava trees?  Cool!  We've been in New Zealand for over ten years now but had never heard of lava trees before.  Must be a South Island species.  Probably more hearty due to the cold and windy climate down here. Must not grow in the north.  

At the same time, we each commented privately, "I hope they have rest rooms wherever we stop. I shouldn't have had that second cup of coffee."

Just minutes later, we pulled in at Moturata Island Scenic Reserve.  

We were off the bus in moments and looking around.

"That's a rather odd-looking tree-like thing over there, but I don't see why it would be called a lava tree. That can't be it."

"But look over there, I see the men's and women's signs; there are indeed restrooms  Thank goodness. Let's get in line before we do anything else."

Approaching them, all became clear.  They were lavatories.  Lava trees!  Hardly an endemic species. They have rather, worldwide distribution, and nothing could be more welcome at certain times.  From now on, lava trees would be one of our favorite Kiwi flora.  

About 15 minutes later, we all clambered back onto the bus with a new lease on life. Refreshed, you might say.  You know the feeling. And pleased to have expanded our knowledge of the South Island Kiwi language.  

On the road again, and it soon became clear that we were heading into some wild weather.  

We were climbing, and climbing further, up into the hills.

It started snowing. This is a real rarity for Aucklanders to see.  

The flakes started getting bigger and the windshield soon showed the result.

Our world was soon transformed.

Fortunately, we came down out of the hills, and when I say hills, I should maybe instead say, Hills.  Not mountains, not yet, but pretty impressive hills to be sure.  

We returned to the coast, to sea level, to the small town of Kaka Point, The Point Restaurant; and springtime as well.  

We had been told that The Point offered us two choices for lunch. Blue cod or steak.  I think everyone chose the blue cod, which is a specialty of this area.  

Blue cod, Parapercis colias, is not actually a cod. That name error dates back to Captain Cook's time. Wikipedia describes it as having 'a delicate, salty-sweet flavor and a unique, light texture.'  A perfect description I think.  As is most common here, it was served to us as fish and chips. 

Unlike lava trees, Blue cod is endemic to New Zealand and is mostly found around this portion of the South Island.  The people here are very proud, and rightfully so, of this resource.   

Being a fast eater, and wanting to snap a few more pictures, I left the restaurant ahead of the pack and hurried down to the beach.  

A rather grizzly sight awaited, but interesting too.  The south half of a seal.  Sea Lion or fur seal, I didn't know. I thought though that it was probably a fur seal. Those are smaller than sea lions and this one isn't very big.   

I scooped up a bit of clean sand, a hundred meters or so away from the seal, and put it into one of the collection bags I carried.  

 

It was time to go. Alan was warming up the bus. 

The home made, automatic door mechanism swung the door shut after the last of us and we were off for more adventures.  

Shoot, it was only about 2 p.m. Who knows what lay ahead for us before we settled in that evening at the Kelvin Hotel?  If I had to describe it in one word, I'd say, "Yipes!  -djf