The hike was amazing. Breathtaking views around every turn, and breathtaking (literally) hills to climb to get to the views. It was a pretty incredible and exhausting 3 days. We'll try to get a few pictures of it up soon!
The first day we "tramped" (as Amy continually reminds me, they don't call it hiking here!) for about 4 hours from Marahau to our hut at Anchorage. We stopped about a hundred times along the way to take pictures of the rainforest, the palm trees, the HUGE ducks, and the little forest waterfalls. It started to rain just before we got to our hut, and a downpour started literally the second we stepped under the roof. The huts were nice, basic but comfortable although not very warm. I am officially known as the 'weaker species' because I was cold at night while the others slept comfortably. Sad but true. I like being warm. Then the second day, we were supposed to get up at 6am, but we slept in till about 7:30, so we had to take the longer high-tide route to our next destination. We had a full 8-hour day of tramping, including a few peach passes and a couple points where we had to take our shoes off and walk through ankle-deep water at low tide. When we got to our hut in Arawoa (sp?) for the night, there was a family from Texas already set up, and the father was trying fruitlessly to start a fire in the woodstove. We heard his daughter ask him if he thought we could start the fire, and his reply was 'they must! Look how big their backpacks are!'. Then he asked us if we could, and of course all four of us, true Newfies that we are, nod and volunteer. Good ol' Bell Island (long story) Julie Burke got to work, and in minutes we had a nice, toasty cabin and four happy Texans.
The next day we had another beach crossing at low tide, and then were picked up by our water taxi for a very rough and very fun ride back to Marahau. The water was really rough, and the driver took it slow at first until he realized we were all sitting there with big grins on our wet faces, loving the ride. Then he took us to look for stingrays in some shallow water, and for seals lying on the rocks out in the water. It was great! Then we picked up a few tourists at the next stop, and the driver had to slow the ride down due to a few weaker stomachs.
Anyway, we made it back to Nelson that night, had some hot food and showers, and took off on a train to Christchurch in the morning. We've been here relaxing and having a great time with Amy's family here, who have all been wonderful to us! Now tomorrow we leave for Wanaka, then Queenstown and finally Auckland around the 17th. More details to come!
Hope all is well at home! Love you all,
Shanna
the 'weaker species'
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What a workout you guys must have had. I'm impressed by the fact that you could start the fire, Julie. I guess your times at the cabin was worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing some awesome pics of the rainforest!
Love Mom
We're loving hte blog and all of your stories! I found a book on New Zealand downstairs the other day, it was practically staring at me as I was doing the laundry. Anyway, I have located some of the sights you described. I'll pass it on to you for a keepsake when you get back. Huge glaciers and quaint farms await you. keep the camera handy and post some new pictures.
ReplyDeleteLove
M
Here goes sounding like a broken record but pictures are a must, take as many as humanly possible. And Shanna I'm surprised your the weakier species but not surprised Juilie B is a fire starter, also there is no need for little Nolan to correct my grammar I'm aware I shouldn't start a sentence with "and" but it just fits. Also I'm glad people are signing there comments and the nanny comment allows me to know what kind of audience you have out there and to mind my F's and Q's.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Walrus