KiWi Kool ( Fiordlands, Queenstown)

We meet folks everyday from everywhere.  They come, they go.  Sometimes, you might exchange an email or Instagram name.  But, there are a few people along the way when there is an instant connection.  Deb and David were those folks.  Kiwis from Auckland recently relocated to Queensland were instantly gracious, interesting,  helpful and inviting.  A week later we enjoyed an amazing BBQ lamb dinner at their home and after a hut night, we were invited to sleep in a real bed at their place.  We  really enjoyed their company and insight.  We hope we can return the hospitality soon as they love to ski.  Thanks Deb and David!!!!!!!

We finally reached the Fiordlands!  We have been saving the best for last and anticipating and training for our Great Walk on The Kepler Track.  After our phenomenal boat tour of the Milford Sound(World Heritage Site), we spent three nights in three different funky places.  We positioned ourselves close to the day hikes we wanted to do and off we went.  All of our hikes were very different and satisfying in their own unique way.  Each had its share of sand flies and the battle was on.  Gunn’s Camp…. you win for having the most ridiculous number of those bastards.  They were viscious????.  I was glad to get to the lovely town of Te Anau and prep for the trek in a hospitable hotel room with no nasties around.  The 4 day 3 night hut to hut Kepler Track delivered…. sunny, challenging up and down hill trek with our packs.  6 other Americans and 1 Brit were our companions, travel buddies, and bunk mates.  So much fun and the most awesome huts ever.  This trek had it all and was our favorite by far.  We felt satisfyingly knackered at the end and a bit sad.  It was a fantastic week solidifying our love affair with this country.

  1. Week five: feb 17- 24.                                                                              Places.  :
    Fri: Wanaka,  and Queenstown
    Sat: Fiordland, Milford Sound
    Sun: Fiordland
    Mon: Fiordland
    T: Te Anua
    W: Kepler track
    Th: Kepler                                                                              Accommodations:
    F: David and Debs
    SA: Gunn’s Camp ( camping)
    Su: Te Anau Downs Lodge ( lakeside view)
    M: Gunns Camp (cottage)
    T: Te Anau Village Inn
    W: Kepler Hut
    Th: Kepler Hut.                                                                                       Activities:
    Fri: drive to Wanaka, Will paragliding, shop in Arrowstown ( expensive, artsy)
    Sa: drive to Fiordlands, explore Te Anau, boat ride in Milford Sound on sunny day, visit to The Chasm
    Su: Hike Gertrude’s Saddle( did not make it to th top due to weather rolling in). 4 hrs
    M: Hike the Keys Saddle and Lake Marion
    T: Rest day and Kepler prep
    W: Kepler Track Moturua Hut. 6 km ( on the beach of Lake Manipouri
    Th: Kepler Track Iris Burn Hut. 16.2 km.                                                          Why I still ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ NZ.                                                                     ***green tipped mussels, lamb roast, leg of lamb, burgers with beets
    ***Sticky, date pudding
  2. ***Water.  Anabundance of, clear, fresh, potable, blue, turquoise, protected, precious.
  3. ***smoke free pretty much everywhere.
  4. Deb and David on their porch with a killer view. Thanks for a delightful dinner, a fabulous place to crash and the pleasure of your company!  Queenstown.
    Sunset in Queenstown on Lake WAkapitu.
    The Milford Sound on a glorious day. Loved the boat ride.
    On the drive into Fiordlands National Park. Fields of gold beckoning the hovering majestic peaks.
    Entering Queenstown with Lake Wakapiti as our backdrop. Oh, so blue.
    Feet first. Will the Thrills wild ride. Paragliding in Wanaka.

    Butt landing….smooth move, Thrill!
Fiordlands Landscape.  The river runs through it.
Waterfall on The Milford Sound
Classic Milford Sound on a clear day.

 

 

 

Milford Sound.  Sheer walls of beauty.
All hands on deck. Windy as we head out of the fiord to the Tasman Sea.
These nasties are heinous in the Fiordlands. It was a constant battle. We kept them out of the tent, but they hovered and they sound like swarm of bees. UGHHHHH.
This day hike to Key summit was awesome. With Lake Marion in site, you could really get a good look at the hanging valley and try to imagine the glaciers that once filled this place.
Treks made easier by the wooden bridges. Tracks  well kept, landscapes perfectly manicured by nature.
Went down from Key Summit and hiked back to the shore of Lake Marion. Young folks were swimming. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Day hike to Gertrude Saddle for a view of Milford. But, danger lurks….fatalities occur….be warned.
They do give you chains to aid in the climb. I used my poles, thank you very much!
Well, I guess I did need the “aid” to get down.
Getting to the saddle was foiled by weather rolling in. Ahhh, we were so close.

 

A step back in time at Gunns Camp. This is where the men who built the road to Fiordland once lived. Rustic to say the least. One night was enough.

 

Mushrooms on The Kepler Track…..edible?
Kepler day one: Hobbit forests.
Hobbit Houses.
Hobbit Heart.
The start of the Kepler Track.
Not just forests on The Kepler.

 

The long and winding road…….
Hut 1: Motorua Hut at Lake Manipori
A beach…. at the hut. So awesome
Bunk buddies getting our daily history lesson.
Sunset at hut 1….never disappointing.
Hut 2:! Iris Burn Hut. Spacious with lovely deck.
The path to the river for bathing. Too cold for me?
Day 3 hike was up, up, up. Snack time and let’s catch our breath.
These stairs, though.
Along the ridge…. still going up. Spectacular vistas.
The Thrill looking down from Luxmore Summit.
Finally, we see the hut. This was a long, hard hike.

Sad note:  Week 6 is our last week in Paradise??????

Author: bonnie.pierce@gmail.com

Retired School teacher.

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