Russell Kirkpatrick's Journal
It's just falling water, why the fuss?
18-Sep-2009
But it's not. The sound, the spray, the beauty and the scale of a waterfall evoke feelings of majesty and awe from most of us.
Marokopa Falls, in south Waikato, is no Niagara Falls. But it has its own symmetrical beauty. A short walk from a back road, the falls is said to be one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. And until a couple of weeks ago I'd never visited it.
Simply gorgeous. I love the drama of a waterfall, I love the way it commands my attention, the way it draws me in to the natural environment. Marokopa Falls lived up to its billing.
Look at the luscious detail at the base of the falls...
![Marokopa detail [main] Marokopa detail [main]](../images/gallery/main/98.jpg)
On the way home I stopped off to see the Mangapohue natural bridge, the remnants of a collapsed limestone cave. Again, this was far better than I'd been led to expect - or, perhaps, I really am reconnecting with the natural world. Why aren't these two places, within ten minutes of each other and half an hour from Waitomo, central to every tourist's itinerary?
Maybe the cartographic fantasy authors showing said tourists around decided to keep them a secret. Eh? Eh?
Anyway, great as the falls and the rock bridge undoubtedly are, can they compete with the sight of two tiny blue Omaru penguins gettin' it awwwwn...?
But...where are our posts? Pull your finger out man, we are waiting!