← previous day

Previous Next

334462

422720

Napenape

Posted by Adiemus (Christchurch, New Zealand) on 14 March 2007 in Landscape & Rural.

Why I was absent from commenting during the weekend...This is the most wonderful place in the world - and I'm not biased one bit.
Napenape is a hidden gem north of Christchurch, along a gravel road, with no amenities, no cellphone coverage, and the most peaceful atmosphere ever.
Some years ago the hillside slumped, meaning the Dept of Conservation closed the camping grounds. Since then, only hardy people have gone there, because it is really down to basics.
On a good clear day, like this last weekend, the water is clean and the diving is fantastic - will put up some shots later on to show what we got! the fishing is fabulous (blue cod, butterfish, kahawai, moki - all there!) mainly surfcasting, and for those that will, there are paua...
And the birdlife is amazing - bellbirds, tui, grey warblers, fantails (piwakawaka) - ahhh, this must be how the bush sounded before stoats and possums and ferrets got to them.
Sorry for rambling, but this is the most wonderful place to be in...peace, perfect peace.
BTW we went there to help me with my recovery from concussion - which is taking a long time to resolve (three weeks now). This can explain why I'm not always making as many comments as I'd like - sorry!

Hi guys!
This year I'll be putting up fewer shots, but hopefully improving the quality at the same time. Sort of a 'best of' if you like.
This community is terrific in so many ways - I love it even if I don't often comment. The people on here make it a great place to be.
I'm also writing a health-related blog - if you're interested, hop on over to http://healthskills.wordpress.com/
and make yourself known!

Listed on Photoblogs.org

Comments (40)

Behrooz from Tehran, Iran

This is my favorite shot of the day, even without looking at others. Immaculate Dream...!

14 Mar 2007 5:21am

@Behrooz: Yes, I have got to agree - I love this place.

Alborz from Tehran, Iran

Excellent! Love colors and textures...

14 Mar 2007 6:37am

Helen from Melbourne, Australia

Magnificently clear, well framed shot of a perfect beach! Just look at that sand, how picturesque. A photographer's paradise. Now you've revealed your secret place .... I know who to tap on the shoulder when I come to NZ!

14 Mar 2007 6:42am

@Helen: Just come on down...I'd be glad to take you there. It would be an amazing place to go with a bunch of photographers!! You'd just all have to bring your own water, tents, food, - actually everything!!

badala from Leiria, Portugal

Soft, so soft this one - I like it.

14 Mar 2007 7:14am

@badala: Thanks badala! I loved my weekend away!

Sidonie from Sydney, Australia

Such a different light from here in Oz! Lovely shot. Take it easy, Bron - you've worked very hard for all of us. We quite understand your need to rest.

14 Mar 2007 7:30am

@Sidonie: Thanks Sidonie! The funny thing is that this is one easy way to rest for me, especially the processing on photo's!! Compared with the work I do, which involves lots of listening, complexity and often difficult and distressed people... Now THAT is hard work!
Yes our light is quite different from anywhere else, I reckon it's the hole in the ozone, probably makes us more likely to get skin cancer, and we don't have very much air pollution (most of the time) so I guess the light gets right through....

dYe from Cambridge, United States

Spectacular! The colors are especially beautiful, with the contrasts between the blue water and the orange rocks, the white foam and the dark sand. I can see why you love the place. I hope it has helped you feel better. And you certainly don't need to apologize - we love your comments, but not at the expense of your health!

14 Mar 2007 7:55am

@dYe: Thanks Diana! I love commenting, don't worry!

adalove from Alcala de Guadaira, Spain

A very beautiful shot of that incredible place! I agree about the colours, they´re great. There´s harmony in the picture.

14 Mar 2007 8:09am

@adalove: There's harmony in the whole place, it's so peaceful.

CaCTuS from Tehran, Iran

nice brown shore!

14 Mar 2007 8:22am

@CaCTuS: That 'sand' is actually very small pebbles, you'll see some later when I post them!

Dimitrios from ATHENS, Greece

my goodness, unbeleivable scenery, well captured

14 Mar 2007 9:02am

Stu from Kyoto, Japan

Wow. it really does look like the place that time forgot. And those rock strata in the cliff are quite wonderful - what a great colour contrast. Will most definitely have to visit this place the next time I get down to NZ.

14 Mar 2007 9:13am

@Stu: You bet you'd better get down here! This is one amazingly serene place, lots of walks, great diving (when the viz is good), and the birdlife is wonderful. Oh and there are many times when we are the only people there, other times the most is maybe three other camps?

Jen from Jessup, United States

Incredible! I feel peaceful just by gazing at the scenery!
Take care of yourself Bronnie and get well soon!

14 Mar 2007 10:50am

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Absolutely beautiful Bronnie! I would love to go there someday!!! Take good care Bronnie.

14 Mar 2007 10:55am

xuxas from Lisbon, Portugal

beatiful shot!congrats!!

14 Mar 2007 11:02am

M.E. from Encino, United States

you are so right - this is absolutely incredible! very lovely.

nevermind us, just take care of yourself. :)

14 Mar 2007 11:37am

Sarah from United States

Bronnie, this is a fabulous picture! It looks like an amazing place. Hope you're feeling better soon!

14 Mar 2007 12:29pm

Dan Meyers from Macomb, United States

I like the graininess of the sand and the foaming of the sea. Very dreamy indeed. Feel better.

14 Mar 2007 12:42pm

@Dan Meyers: Thanks Dan, it's actually very fine pebbles not really sand, but the pebbles are worn smooth from being tumbled over and over - you also can find pieces of greenstone (poenamu) which is a type of jade amongst the stones, so it's cool to walk over. The only problem is you sink in a lot which makes walking hard work!

Daniel from United States

Very pretty local. Nice shot.

14 Mar 2007 1:42pm

jc from Ireland

Great shot, Bronnie, and lovely commentary - hope you're feeling back to yourself soon!

14 Mar 2007 1:58pm

Tim from Bratislava, Slovakia

It's so beautiful...!

14 Mar 2007 2:17pm

Yvon from Meerkerk, Netherlands

This is absolutely gorgeous! What a privilege to be able to go there. I can imagine it helps to give your head some rest. I can’t wait to see more photos.

14 Mar 2007 2:45pm

Evie from Fairfax, VA, United States

Beautiful colors, light and location.

14 Mar 2007 2:59pm

mahdi from Iran

wow ... very good ... fantastic image !

14 Mar 2007 4:45pm

Addey Kehinde from London, United Kingdom

I believe you, it's absolutely gorgeous! You've done a great job here in capturing the shore and the waves..!

14 Mar 2007 5:03pm

Shuva from Hyderabad, India

Such a clean pic.

14 Mar 2007 5:14pm

Fred from Easton PA, United States

The color, the sharpness and the contrast of the sea to the beach are simply amazing !

14 Mar 2007 5:20pm

Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand

This is fantastic. Love the colours, the beach, the sand is wonderful, and those white foams....simply amazing. Great shot, Bronnie!

14 Mar 2007 6:03pm

AlainBadoual from Paris, France

Very nice shot!

14 Mar 2007 6:06pm

Sylvia from Milano, Italy

This is SO beautiful, the line of dark sand and white surf, the contrasting cliffs, wonderful. And yes, I gotta admit it beats my favorite place in Northern California by a long shot.
Take good care of yourself now, we need your vision.

14 Mar 2007 7:15pm

irina from bucuresti, Romania

a great picture! this one perfectly matches your name (if you listen to the music, you will know what i am talking about). i like the colours, the set, the contrast and the light. it is simply amazing and wonderfull! it really looks like the kind of place you want to go to clear your head! :)

14 Mar 2007 9:02pm

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Breathtaking contrasts here, and a really fine composition! Such a joy to come across unspoiled nature, isn't it? Be well.

14 Mar 2007 9:15pm

Nick Passantino from Bronx, United States

Phenomenal contrasting colors here, the water is absolutely gorgeous. Great image.

14 Mar 2007 9:50pm

kaveh from TEHRAN, Iran

Great perspective, details and colors, Well done!

14 Mar 2007 11:37pm

Ahraht from Loures, Portugal

Nice place indeed. Great shot.

14 Mar 2007 11:45pm

Michael Zhang from New York City, United States

Wow the blue of the water is mesmerizing.

15 Mar 2007 12:04am

Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom

What a fantastic place, I'm amazed you could drag yourself back to civilisation

15 Mar 2007 12:10am

Daroru from Osaka, Japan

Such a wonderful place, and your production on this shot is so professional! Everything comes together.

15 Mar 2007 12:38am

Sujit Sudhi from Hyderabad, India

Fabulous. Super shot. I'd love to be there.

15 Mar 2007 4:27am

Still from Valence, France

I would to be there!

15 Mar 2007 8:01am

@Still: Me too Still!!!

Pedro Ferreira from Portugal

Every thing is out of place, the sky is white, the water is blue, the mountain is white, the sand is dark!!! thats why is so beatifull, very nice

15 Mar 2007 10:08pm

@Pedro Ferreira: Thank you!!

Matthew Walker from Christchurch, New Zealand

Flying in to Christchurch today I saw Napenape from above. It is an island of green, but you don't see the limestone blocks standing up like teeth so clearly. It does look like an area that has slumped, as does a spot a bit further along the coast. I don't know whether this is the case or if this is simply how it looks.

25 Mar 2007 7:03am

@Matthew Walker: It has slumped, so DOC pulled out the campsite that used to be there. Freedom camping is still available (for those who don't mind bringing in their own water and amenities!), but I wouldnt' go camping on the slumped bit after rain as there is no telling whether it will go again - but hey, I love it there, and without the less hardy, it's more peaceful!

Add your comment ...

next day →