Monday, September 12, 2011

Got Your GPS Handy?

41°44'40"S 171°28'1"E
Those are the coordinates to the prettiest place on the planet, Cape Foulwind, New Zealand.

 See? I told you.


All right, all right, I'll admit it: there might have been a tiny bit of iPhoto editing in play in the photo above, but only because it was fun.  It was even more striking when seen as it really was that day in March 2011 when I walked along the cliffside.



Even as I took these photos, I was thinking, "I will never be able to adequately explain how beautiful this place is, right here, right now."  And I was right. 


Not for the first time on this trip did I feel the urge to just sit down and refuse to leave.  


It was here, with the Southern Alps in the background, the green hillsides with sheep grazing (yes, of course there were sheep--this is New Zealand after all), and the Tasman Sea crashing on the rocks below the cliffs, that I fantasized about phoning home, arranging to have my home and all my belongings sold, cashing in my return ticket and staying forever.

Naturally, I didn't, but an inkling of that idea has stayed with me....not that I would do it, but that I could do it.  And so could you.



Not too much later that day, the wind picked up and shifted as a front moved in. That's when I got a glimpse of the cape's other personality.  Makes sense, right? They wouldn't have named it "Foulwind" for nothing.


Related posts: And Now for a Little Meterology
                         One More Post About Rotorua Because I Can't Help Myself
                         Waimangu Volcanic Valley
                         4 Million People, 40 Million Sheep
                         Do These Souvenirs Make My Luggage Look Fat?

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8 comments:

James said...

Great, astonishing photography

NLM said...

Thanks!

Bill said...

More greats photos today! I've also had a chance to look at more of your pages now, and I really like the "Cool Stuff" and Wait..., What?" pages too.

NLM said...

Thank;s, Bill. I'm always on the look out for cool and wait...what? stuff, so feel free to suggest anything you like.

Andrew said...

With the kiwi sense of humor, I can think of a number of reasons to call a place Foulwind. Usually involving drinking beer and eating beans.

Cathy Sweeney said...

Although I'm not ready to say that Foulwind is the "prettiest place on the planet", it is really a beautiful! I guess I should put those coordinates in the GPS and head over there to see for myself. :)

Stephanie - The Travel Chica said...

Gorgeous! I love finding those places during my travels where I can just sit and look at the landscape for hours. Luckily, I have the flexibility right now to stay a little longer if I choose.

NLM said...

@Steph--I'm happy for you. Don't take it for granted--few of us have that flexibility! Love your blog.