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Published: December 22nd 2010
Blog #14 – Queen Charlotte Track – Day 2 December 1, 2010 –
Today we left Cnoc Na Lear for Punga Cove. Our destination gave me ample opportunity to practice the soft New Zealand /ng/ - always said as in ringer, never said as in finger or hunger. There are many things about New Zealand pronunciation that are a challenge – /wh/ is pronounced /f/, many words have duplicated syllables as in Kaiteriteri, or Tiritiri Matangi, or Pupu Springs (said ‘pyupyu’).
This was a short day trip. The morning was slightly misty and cooler but by noon had burned off to a hot sunny day. Once again the track led around the edges of the inlets, usually from a great height where we could see the holiday homes clustered around the bays. Occasionally the track was down beside the rocky shore but only rarely was there a sand beach, as the ocean waves are not particularly violent this deep into the Sounds. We admired the enormous trees, the lovely and varying colors of the ocean waters below against the green of the foliage. One interesting LOTR (Lord of the Rings) tree had 4 trunks coming up from the one set
of roots. We crossed many small streams, sometimes on little bridges, sometimes on rocky fords. A few streams wandered quietly far below a swing bridge, which was at such height that one knew that in heavy winter rains the little stream must grow alarmingly. We saw our stands of a lovely purple flower that seemed as prominent in this landscape as fireweed is in our own. And we definitely always had time to “stop and smell the flowers” as we ambled along. There was another version of the ‘honesty box’ – walking sticks for sale. I’m sure many a hiker bought one.
We strolled along and in the mid afternoon arrived at Punga Cove. It turned out to be a resort with a wide variety of accomodation, from glitzy cabins and hotel rooms on the lower levels to a shabby backpackers (hostel) at the top of a path so steep that it made the hardest part of the trail seem easy. We had rooms in the backpackers and shared the kitchen and some interesting conversation with a woman in her 50’s whom we had seen earlier in the day. She was ‘guiding’ a walking group whom we had passed
in the morning. (They were staying in the glitzy hotel rooms.) The Queen Charlotte Track is certainly is a track that lends itself to a variety of ways of travel – “freedom walkers” who carry all their own gear and camp at the DOC campgrounds, guided walkers who have an escort from fancy resort to fancy resort and eat breakfast and supper in hotels and are provided with packed lunches, and people like us in the mid-range who stay in the less expensive accomodation and cook our own meals, but still have our luggage moved for us. At any rate, we arrived, had a beer in the pub, cooked dinner and played cards – Carole won at 9-5-2. Let it be recorded for posterity!
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Bil
non-member comment
As green as your surroundings
Hello Carole and Jim, Yes... our colour is green with envy as well travel vicariously through your blogs. The blog site you chose seems to be very friendly as far as setting it up and including photos. What restrictions? You trekking/walking/meandering a la NZ seems as civilized as I remember. NZ has done a superior job of accomodating the walker and making the experience throughout NZ both accessible and memorable. The way you are doing it by using trekker hostels is a great way to hike. And yes Carole...you will definitely return with a different standard as far as hiking a la Yukon etc. You've mentioned meeting different folks in your travels.. doesn't that add to the fun of being sort of off the beaten path. I see Emily in your photos ..how long will she be able to stick with you? The fire juggling did look cool. One of my students is a busker of renown .... she juggles fire batons etc. Jim may remember Noli Eastmure who, incidentally, just was hired to take over Sean's gr.2 class as he moved into Laurie's vp position. Life here continues to be about staying warm ... great excuse to hunker down with a hot toddy, a book, good music and the ahhhhh of vegging! Carole... I do like the way you composed a number of palm photos .. great impression. So... keep feeding the wekas... and keep your eyes and ears open for those sharp tusked piggies. Those bottom jaws hanging were quiite impressive. Take care .. and Merry Christmas Gail and Bil