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Originally I was to spend two maybe three days on Stewart Island then return back to the mainland. How much time would one person need to see such a small island considering that no multi day hikes were to be taken? Well I can't answer that question but today makes it one full week since my arrival and my forecast predicts another day or two. The peacefulness of waking up in the morning and looking out the large windows to see which way the clouds are traveling then deciding for a short walk along the beach or maybe through the forest. I am really enjoying all this relaxation that I have found.
Sunday was a big night here in Oban because Monday was a holiday. Sunday nights most of the community and tourists gather at the Sea Side Hotel for quiz night. We recruited some folks from the hostel and went down to the only bar in town. We went early to get ourselves a table and good thing we did because the place was filling up quickly. The woman who called out the questions was a real in charge kinda captain. We were all warned that talking while she
was asking the questions would lead to having our mouth taped shut. One local who refused to stop talking on a few occasions found himself with a taped mouth and a straw sticking out if his mouth ( to enjoy his beverage). The woman told most of us off at some point in the night, it was a good time. We placed in the center of the pack (another mediocre performance).
Monday I got up with no real plans, just laundry and maybe a shave. One of the girls said they were going to Ulva Island so I quickly invited myself. We rushed to get to the Golden Bay Wharf to catch our water taxi to Ulva Island. We jumped onto the little boat with a big motor and scooted across the water and to the dock at Ulva. Ulva Island is where people go to bird watch as many different types can be found. There is only one summer home on the island and the rest of the island consist of forests and secluded beaches. The birds of the island have no predators so they are quite tame. We spotted most of the birds from the pamphlet except
a couple types. We had some close encounters with the Stewart Island Robin who wanted to walk with us up the trail. The Robins are very small with a white belly and black eyes and have a love for attention. The Weka birds, which are about the size of a hen, seemed to be the most curious of the birds. One the beach one came over and stood on the rocks between us, it even posed for a few pictures.
The walk through the forests had music coming from the tree tops above. Some birds sang pretty songs, some made some less pretty sounds. The Tui is famous for its ability to imitate other sounds and is the most vocal of the birds we had seen. One Tui in particular would sing its song then make a sound like a cough, followed by what sounded like a a cats meow. We waited to hear it again and the Tui did a little meow sound. Strange is the best word to describe it. The 4 hours I spent at Ulva Island were peaceful and a bit of an eye opener. I was unaware that bird watching could be fun, it
sounds like something old people do before bingo. I may look to do more bird watching in the future.
Yesterday I spent the day on foot hiking around the main island. One thing I love about the outdoors in this country is the lack of large or dangerous creatures. No bears or snakes... it' great. I hiked around the Horseshoe Point which goes to Horseshoe Bay. The trail is narrow and tends to have some steep drop offs on the ocean side. There are some good lookouts that overlook the main town, beaches and other islands. I had a lunch break at a place called Dead Mans Beach and figured out why it got the title. With the amount of sand flies that swarmed me I can imagine if I had stayed longer I may have become a dead man too.
Stewart Island. What can I say? I really love this place, maybe I was just looking for a place to take it easy. Maybe I just like relaxing and enjoying as much fresh air as possible. All I know is that I have been enjoying this place but I know I do have to board that ferry (or maybe the plane) and go back to the mainland. Oh maybe just another day....
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