After leaving New Zealand at the end of 2021, the return feels surreal. Following a 24-hour journey, I stayed at the Spencer Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, where I found various Amanita muscaria, Gymnopilus junonius, Bearded Truffles, and several pine-associated species.
Further into the pines, I found heaps of “Bearded Truffles.” One specimen, with a cream-colored interior, showed reddening on the peridium. When bisected, its texture resembled a polyurethane foam cushion.
I’ve been told that in Italy, they’re called "fake truffles" and smell and taste pleasant, like very starchy potato chips if cut into thin slices and eaten when young.
Following my stay in Christchurch, I traveled to Hanmer Springs, a charming town located just 1.5 hours north in the Canterbury Region. The area is abundant with tea, beech, and pine trees.
I hiked the Dog Stream Waterfall Trail, a 5-km round trip, during which I observed Cortinarius cf. elaiochrous and various species of Amanita, including Amanita australis, known as the Far South Amanita.
Heading west to the Lewis Pass and stopping at the Marble Hills campsite, my wife and I packed enough food for several days, our tent, and all our gear to spend time off-grid.
The forest is predominantly red and silver beech, and fantails and tomtits greeted us along the route to Lake Daniell.
To cap off the long hike back, I spotted the unmistakable purple under a leaf—one of around six purple Cortinarius pouch species in the country.
It’s good to be back.
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