After leaving Waitomo, we drove in the direction of Tongariro National Park. In between we stopped at Pouakani Totara tree walk and Pureora Forest walk. We wanted to see the very unique and old Totara trees, they are endemic in New Zealand. The oldest is 1800 years old. It is in a little rainforest. We walked through it.
The roots of the Totara tree represents to the Maori the connection to the land.
This type of forest is very exotic to us.
Mike close to the tree ferns.
Me hugging a huge Totara tree.
Mike taking a picture of another Totara tree.
The oldest Totara tree from one side …
… and from the other.
Here we are in the Pureora Forest. It was only 10 minutes away by car from the Pouakani Totara tree.
Me standing close to a Tekoteko (sculpture made my the Maori people).
Beautiful Rimu tree.
There were many signs telling us something about the trees and the animals living in the forest.
Mike standing in front of another nice tree.
The beginning and the end of the Totara walk.