Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Leaving Dunedin early to go Yellow-eyed penguin spotting along the Otago Peninsula wasnt a productive move as the penguins only come to shore at dusk! I was slightly dissapointed, though the beach was lovely with golden sand and an amaxing turquiose sea. A small child a little too eager for a photo with the big; cuddly looking; yet fearless, and inquisitive of humans; Hookers sealion, also made for a bit of a giggle! (Munch!)
Te Anau was the base for a sea-kayak trip in Milford Sound. After a jet-boat ride into a corner of the fiord, it was a paddle, sail, and surf back to shore. After a short break for a quick swim and hot drinks, it was a brave trip through strong wind and waves, between the mile high top of Mitre Peak and others, seeming much much smaller than they were, until a cruise-ship sailing under a 150m high waterfall put everything into perspective a bit!
After a challenging sea-kayak in Milford, the adventurousness in me wants more, and so the next day to Queenstown - hub-ub of adrenalin rush filled activities.
The 109m Shotover canyon swing was just enough adrenalin to want to do it twice, so i spent all out here on touristy extra jumps and merchandise. Queenstown is a lovely small town, with lots of good places to eat and drink, and the lake beach to chill out on with a big ice-cream after being compelled to throw myself off a rather large cliff earlier in the day! With plenty to keep you occupied, from the adrenalin to ice-cream, shopping to sun-bathing, and eating out to a game of frisbee golf in Queenstown gardens, this had been my favorite place so far.
Driving from Queenstown, along Crown Range Road between Arrowtown and Wanaka, gave great views of the mountain ranges, and an interesting drive along steep and winding, part-sealed roads. Unfortunately my out-dated guide book had offered slightly more to see than now existed, and it appeared the farmer had lost his battle with the local council to keep the 'bra-fence' as a tousist attraction along this scenic route!
Arriving early in Wanaka allowed time for laundry, food shopping, and journal writing. Then rain the next day meant a shorter than planned (and wetter than planned) walk along the lakes edge, before an afternoon of photo uploads and postcard writing.
A chilled out breakfast in Wanaka, then on to Fox Glacier, and a fantastically large, homely hostel, with cosy lounges and BIG mugs of tea!! Doing an all day hike on a large block of ice moving through the valley between mountains covered in dense rainforest vegetation, is not something you do every day, and was well worth it. Our guide cut fresh steps in the ice for us to walk up the trickier parts, and we witnessed the glacier changing over the course of only one day. quite something to get your head around, but wholly fantastic.
Back to tranquil, calm, and easy-going life, in Arthur's Pass large but cosy hostel, with tired travellers and walkers dotted around in the evening, reading, writing, and sleeping. There's no hustle and bustle here of coming and going in big guided groups. Everything is at your own pace and on your own time. Some good short wealks to do here, avoiding only the possible attck of over-fed Kea (mountain parrots).
Punakaiki pancake rocks are an interesting, though touristy attraction to view, and the beach on the edge of which my hostel sat made for a nice evening stroll along the black sand before sunset.
Today I am in Marahau, the last stop before the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, and the promise of crystal clear water and golden sand. 3 days here to exhaust walking and kayaking, and getting some peace in before I head back north for Wellington international 7's on 1st Feb.
- comments