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Published: November 23rd 2008
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For My Sister - A Spider Orchid
They are tiny!! Hope you appreciated this Manda, it took alot of patience n fiddling with camera to get orchid shot for you =) xxx It's been a while so have lots to tell you about - going to skip boring bits!
From Lake Wanaka went to the famous Queenstown and I have to say I really didn't like it. After the small friendly local towns, few shops and emphasis on nature it was dissapointing to go to a place where there was no spirituality, no NZ identity and so big (not by UK standards). Walked around town, had the obligatory chai latter, found my hotel....then it rained...alot so I caught up on my sleep!! ha ha I had a whole afternoon in my hotel room...room service, did my washing and watched some movies! (some would say it's a waste of time....you weren't as knackered as me and suddenly sad at place you're in!). Any hoo next day went on jet boat on Dart River, had good nature hike and then tour on a 4x4 bus to see sites of LOTR movies and other movies filmed in this area. Went to Glenorchy where apparently at one time everyone in the village were famous as had all been in LOTR movies! They also had the smallest library in the world...about the size of an outside toilet!
Check Out These Pandas!!
Woo, haven't had panda eyes like that since last went skiing. Also check out my fringe, Grem calls them my hairy Aerials!! LOL =) Cool place.
Went on Skyline Gondola to top of Queenstown, went to bird sanctuary and saw a kiwi bird in nocturnal conditions. Walked around Queenstown gardens and went to the most fab bead shop and made a necklace! =)
Left there and headed for the Fjordalnd area - stayed in Te Anau, in a very pink and chintzy B n B with lovely hosts. Went to Milford Sounds on a boat and got extremely wet, but got some awesome photos of raging waterfalls and saw rare Fjordland crested penguins and some seals. That night I went to a field out of the township with local guy who has a huge telescope (no I'm not being rude or using code, it was actually an astronomy night!). The sky was perfect, it made my eyes water how cool it was, simply full of the twinklers! I specifically saw Venus, Jupiter and it moons, pin cushion area with soooo many of them packed in together, Southern Cross, Sirius closest and brightest star, Playates (not sure on any spellings), dying red stars, scorpion constellation, very cool nebula on orions belt and he explained the trajectory of the sky, factors, myths, legends, bit of
Jet Boating Ruined My Hair Do!
Just to show the effect jet boating had on me trying to take photos as went really fasst =) science, bit of philosophy. It was a cold, bright and spectacular thing to do.
Next day up early and went to Doubtful sound (boat, bus, boat), another Fjordland Sound area, this one was more green (well it was a sunny day not torrential rain) and less dramatic, with fewer sheer sides and more little islands. Cpt. Cook apparently named it Doubtful as he got to edge of the sound, looked at the little islands, wind through the valleys and decided it was Doubtful to get through! =) (see bit of fact after my rude road signs last blog). Got my face burnt and have panda eyes!
Next night went on Glow Worm Caves boat ride, big boat to remote area, walk through forest, into caves that are amazing, the water was so loud, beautiful waterfall and very cool whirlpool going the wrong way (to us). Then into little tin boats to go deep into caves where no light at all but the glow worms (fungus fly larvae doesn't sound as cool!). It was unbelievably surreal and it ended too quickly.
Left Te Anau and my barbie chintz pad, headed to the Southland farming area, had a farmstay with the
Enter Stage Left - The Ents
Bad pic but shows where the Ents came out of the woods area from LOTR film, cool! most wonderful hosts on their working sheep farm. Had tour, looked at local dairy farm, put their sheep dog to work (and tried to cuddle it lots but it wanted to work!), took lots of photos of the baybies! Helped bottle feed the separate lambs and then had lamb for tea!! hahaha Drove their quad bike in morning and helped out before talking some more NZ and UK politics over breakfast and then (begrudgingly) had to leave! If you are in Otautau region stay at Etal Creek Farmstay!! After a stay in a lovely home, being put to work and a few home cooked hearty meals I felt ready to carry on.
Went through the farmland country, it's amazing the difference from arty area by Nelson etc. at North of South Island to the farming area here, the farmer even told me the regional accent down here...apparently they roll their R's! Funny thats the same as our Southern farming areas...oooerrr Ciderrrr?! Any way, driving around the clothing stores go from the surfing and activity outdoor types to hunting/farming outlets. Lots of tractor places and one small town was such a step back in time that it was so cool!
Queenstown
Queenstown from top of Skyline. You can see bungy platform, how steep the Gondola path was and the Town! The petrol station was also tractor garage, car garage, post office, general store and you just know it's the pivotal place for all town gossip! Stopped for a hot drink in a little place and thought I heard a banjo playing at one point (only kidding!!) =p
Drove through Invercagill city, lots of late 1800 buildings that have been converted into working guys pubs and normal shops.
Got onto yet another small plane (8 people), went over to Stewart Island. I cannot stress enough how magical the place was. It has one little township on the island, the birdsong is what hits you first, it is what I pictured NZ to sound like (but isn't due to predator introduction and native bird decline). Stayed in self catering accomodation with stunning views of the bay. Went on boat out to Ulva Island (the secret paradise island in my title), it was magical, truly humbling. After years of work it is predator and non native flora and fauna free. There were amazing birds there; some rare and elusive, others as they have no evolutionary fear of humans were so cheeky and inquisitive! There were tiny orchids that defied belief and had
Te Anau
Just to prove I'm still here and not at home getting someone to send me pics, this was taken at Te Anau (where saw Glow Worms, took trips to Milford and Doubtful Sounds) a guide who was so enthusiastic about it all that you soon get swept along. I went back the next day, walked by myself and sat on a beach looking out all by myself with these wild birds just going about there stuff, it made me get teary at the beauty and peace of it all. Guys if you come to NZ, come here!
Last night I went kiwi spotting on a part of Stewart Island, they were Stewart Island kiwis, hard to find and elusive, so in pitch black I was stumbling over roots, trees, beach debris until all of a sudden one appeared and we watched it schnuffle, squawk really loudly to its partner and then carry on grubbing, with its tailless bumbling butt behind it. It is the most weird looking and endearing creatures I have seen since Emma got Baby Bear!! Grem wants me to bring him one home for Christmas but they are just too big to fit under my fleece (sorry xx). So back to apartment at 3.00am, flight from Stewar Island this morning at 7.00 and now a drive through the Catlins are and to find my next stop and find stunning
Milford Sound
Really wet, bad weather, but made the waterfalls spectacular and great in number! scenery on the way.
Sorry it's a long one, haven't had chance to use pc. Photos are to follow over next week (this pc doesn't have facility). So hope the words are enough to invoke your imagination about what I have been upto.
Take care all and it'll soon be Christmas!!
Liz x
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