Whangarei Falls

So it's been raining for a while here, and we finally decided to give in and just go out anyways... So we bundled up all nice and warm and went outside and baked in the heat... It's so warm, even when it's crappy and rainy! haha...

Anyways, first stop was Whangarei falls. It was only light rain, so we tried to get there quick enough that we could get some pictures without soaking the camera. Definitely a super nice place! It's a small nature reserve now thanks to a generous donation of the land from Archibald Clapham, a clock collector, whose clocks we saw later in the day (more on that in a bit)...

Considering how flat and/or rolly/sandy everything is here, the falls were a stark contrast in what we expected. Quite tall and picturesque. It's crazy how little "safety gear" is visible though. You could easily fall into the water and go over the falls, but New Zealand doesn't baby everyone like North America does. You'll understand w/ the pictures.

Pictures!

Pretty greenery on the walk around the falls!

There they are! Hard rocks, harder than all the others that have eroded away into soft streams.

We're in our rain gear!

Jacqui and the falls. Would be a nice swim in there in nicer weather! Maybe too many eels though.

Looks almost tropical!

These were some really neat trees. Super thin.

Mmmm, longer exposed falls.

That's the bridge across the water... About 20 feet from the falls. No rail.

"Do not attempt to cross this bridge if water is flowing over the top of the walkway"
1. duh | 2. lol @ no rails, just a sign. never in America.

There's a kid at the top of that tree. He eventually jumps off into the river. Ridiculous.