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Geo: -41.2083, 173.97
An old colleague of mine, Jack, who I hadn't seen in 13 years invited us over for 'smoko' or morning tea, so on our way to the Marlborough Sounds we located the sustainable village he has been a part of creating, climbed the steep hill to his home and enjoyed he and his wife's hospitality, conversation and their amazing home and view over hills, mountains and out to the sea. It was good to connect after all this time!
I think we have located each and every one of the remote backpackers hostels available on the South Island and Hopewell goes to the top of the list. Why? Here's our criteria:
Remote: a 2.5 hour drive going no more than about 40km/hr along twisting ocean and forest road.
Friendly Hosts: Lynley and Mike welcomed us with open arms and kept them open the entire stay. We look forward to a visit to NS from them sometime in the future!
Unique Accommodation: a sweet little room, the BEST kitchen so far, set up like a large restaurant with the quality pots, pans, cooking attire; lovely common spaces - both indoor and outdoor - for guests to meet and chat or to have time alone; a hot tub overlooking the ocean.
Great Traveller Experience: the mussels nights where all guests hung out eating fresh-from-the-ocean mussels dumped on the table covered in newspapers, freshly made bread, wine and loads of good laughs. Our new German friends, Rolf & Karin, who are Bruce Guthro fans are coming to Cape Breton's Celtic Colours in 2014...it's a date!
Although the weather was a bit cold and rainy we thoroughly enjoyed our 3-night stay at Hopewell. Jim needed to dry out his camera and sooth his achy ribs. Our soak in the hot tub under the full moon with bellies full of wine and the waves of the turquoise water splashing below us was enough to fix any bruised ribs. Ahhhhhh....
During a moment of random thought, I mused, 'what a coincidence that we had to interact with a cat in the Catlins and hope and wellness in Hopewell (i.e. camera & rib recovery'? Huh...
A day of travel (driving and ferry boat across the Cook Strait) and some motion sickness took the steam out of me for a few hours. We headed into Wellington to spend an afternoon at the astounding Te Papa Museum, visit Weta Cave where much of the Hobbit & LOTR work is done, and to seek out a camera 'doctor' to diagnose and treat 'our precious'. Turns out the camera is operational for now although these dunks can apparently make a camera vulnerable so we will wait and see.
Our time in the South Island has been fantastic and we have given ourselves only one week to travel the North Island which we know is insufficient. I read this Maori 'safe travel' message in the museum and am sharing it for those of you who are travelling over the Christmas holidays:
May the calm be widespread
May the ocean glimmer like smoothed jade
May the mirage of summer's promise shimmer before you
And your travelling companion be peace itself.
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Wendy
non-member comment
What a ham!!! Bahahaha