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Published: December 21st 2013
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LakeTeAnau
2nd biggest lake after Taupo..bet your glad I told you that That's glow worms. Larvae actually. Not allowed to take photos in caves as they believe that taking photos will steal their souls and they won't morph into moths. Or was that the Aborigines? It all blurs into one big dreamscape after a while. Actually the Aborigines believe that they come back as moths (or is that possums?), so probably correct anyway. Anyway you'll have to imagine a big cave in the dark with lots of tiny green and blue led lights on the ceiling....and they charge you lots of money to get in....a bit like Santa's Grotto at B&Q..except you don't get 10% off on Wednesdays ( that's a private pensioners joke..you'll understand one day....soon). Well, that was 2 days ago at Te Anau, if anyone's bothering to look at a map..and why would you, what with Xmas coming up and all. Anyway, its bottom left on the NZ map. Or top right if your looking at it upside down (Barry..sorry, another private joke..ask him next time you see him.) Well it was quite good anyway, preceded by a nice trip across Lake The Aneu.
Yesterday did full day trip to Doubtful sound, which is actually a fiord, I think,
but not sure ( joke plagiarised from son in law, Cris....clearly been around Duffs too long). It was stunningly beautiful and we saw pod of bottle nose dolphins complete with calf's as a bonus. Wonderful. Pictures don't do it justice but I attach them anyway just to make you jealous. Though I'm sure you are equally overawed by your own superb short cold dark days...oh how we miss that.
We do miss some home stuff though. Been away 5 weeks now, the longest we've ever been away, and missing our friends and family, and especially our thoughts are never far away from our favourite daughter in law, louise, and her struggles both physically with the chemo, and emotionally with such a young family and Xmas to deal with. But shes a tough cookie and her blog keeps us updated on her progress. Also of course her kids, our lovely grandchildren, and our own 4 nippers..we will certainly miss them all on Xmas day...but hope to skype or phone. Given the time difference, and the statutory Bucks fizz, etc, you may all get a very early Xmas message..best switch off your phones till you get up! It does all feel
Lake Manapourie
At ridiculously early time of 8am..en route to Fiord a bit surreal down here in midsummer on our own. Still, there are compensations!
Had rare lie in this am. Due to my watch battery running out..thought it was unusually light for 4 am so tried to stay in bed till the decent hour of 7 am, despite pensioners bladder considerations. Did think other campers were up and about very early, but had leisurly breakfast, got laundry done, then heard on radio that, despite only being 8.30 on my watch, it was actually 12.30! Meant to be off site by 10am so speedy pack up and go..almost forgetting to retrieve laundry from machine.
We have had to change our plans due to unfortunate (and tragic) event. We had intended to go over the Hasst pass to the West coast today, and hence up to the glaciers. 2 months ago the only possible road from the south was washed away in a violent storm with a huge rock landslide, tragically killing 2 young Canadian tourists. They had managed to get one lane operating until another landslide 3 days ago has closed it again and they don't know when, or if, they can safely open it again. So we are
Doubtful Sound
First view of Doubtful Sound having to retrace our route back to Christchurch up the middle of the South Island, and will have to miss out on Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers. Very disappointed , but that pales into insignificance compared to the loss experienced by that young couples families back in Ontario.
Fantastic Mrs Macs venison pie last night (Santas sleigh now only running on 7/8 power) & BBQ Mediterranian sausages tonight..sorry no photos...I want their souls to return as seafood spaghetti! Did I mention that I am learning Buddhism in preparation for Thailand? Onward and upwards....
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
New Zealand
Stunning beauty.