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Published: March 1st 2015
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We are in an area of New Zealand known as Central Otago. The country is not divided into states, but rather districts or regions (I asked a New Zealander for the proper term and he didn't really know, so I suppose it's not that important.). We are in the central part of, "Otago". This area is mountainous and littered with natural lakes. We are staying in a town called Wanaka on the southern edge of an enormous (I mean 26 miles long by 6 miles wide huge) freshwater lake, surprisingly known as - you guessed it - Lake Wanaka. We were lucky to find a B&B where we have the entire top floor of a house to ourselves, including an expansive deck that looks out to the lake. It's so pretty. The hosts are very kind people, and she puts together a mean breakfast in the morning. We all sit down at their dining room table and enjoy each others' company. It's a really nice feeling to be in a home and to be so well cared for two weeks into our trip. The comforts of home are welcome.
Today we were still feeling bummed over the news we received
about Lady Bug from yesterday. I didn't sleep well at all (for the second night in a row - don't forget the night of the drunken German) and didn't have a lot of energy. But, being surrounded by beautiful mountains and knowing that this may be our only chance to see this place, we forced ourselves out the door after breakfast and headed to Mount Aspiring National Park.
I tend to say every day how THIS is the one place I really want to see in New Zealand. I said it again this morning. I have been looking forward to seeing this place for a long time. The drive from here to the park took about an hour, mostly down a gravel road, through open range, past literally thousands of sheep and hundreds of cows, and through (yes, through) creeks and streams. We arrived at the Rasberry Flat parking space and began our tramp (NZ term for hike) into the park. We decided to do part of a longer hike in the park, one that followed along the Matukituki River, through the valley, and simply do an out and back hike. We still have a lot of activities coming up, and we didn't want to wear ourselves out when we were already tired. What a great choice that was for us! It was such a peaceful walk. There were some hill climbs, but all were very manageable. We walked 5 1/2 miles, and it didn't feel like it at all. I jokingly told Aaron it's because we are in such good shape after two weeks of hiking! But really, I think it's because it was probably the most peaceful place I've ever been in my life. The surrounding mountains are towering, and we couldn't even see the tallest ones due to fog and clouds. The mountains make me feel so small, and I love that feeling of being in a place so expansive and grand. The land is leased by ranchers, and we walked past thousands of sheep and cows, watching them peacefully graze and laze away the day. It reminded me so much of walking through the pasture between my house and Grandpa and Grandma's house as a kid. The smells were the same, the sounds were the same, the plants and weeds were the same. It was a peaceful and quiet place to reminisce. Waterfalls tumbled down the hills, the river rushed through the valley. We stopped to snack on a rock in the pasture and talked to the handful of other hikers making their way through the valley to distant huts on multi-day trips. It truly was wonderful.
We eventually made our way back to Wanaka, ate dinner outside overlooking the lake, did a little souvenir shopping, sat in the grass on the lakeshore and talked, and came back "home", where I spent most of the evening on the deck looking out over the lake. A nice ending to the day.
I am so thankful for the peaceful and inspiring experiences of today. They helped calm my heart and mind. Hoping and praying for restful sleep tonight.
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