Tramping New Zealand

DAY 14 - Around Te Anau

Yesterday we were lucky to secure the same room for tonight at the YHA (Youth Hostel Association).  In some ways it is more fun than the others; what is not so great is that there isn't a single shelf in the room, nor any closet space.  Other than a small end-table between the beds, one's life must be run entirely from the floor.

My computer worktable in the TV lounge is very pleasant, however; this is good, because I'll be spending most of the day here, catching up on these logs.

The geek's hangout

I also find time to quick-wash some stuff that will be needed on the next tramp.  Later on, I retrieve it just before it begins to rain.

My clothes are out there

After many hours at the keyboard, I need a break; so I take a little walk about town.

Zip-lining in the city park

Interesting plant

That boat might figure in our future

That vehicle will not

The Fiordland Visitor Centre is small, but predictably nice.

An entire room is devoted to the various sea captains that figured prominently in the area's history.  I like this message from Captain Cook himself:

There is no dearth of flowers at the posh resorts

That means that one should eat as much as possible, right?

For dinner Dave has a couple of lamb shanks.  Besides another can of soup, I have a few bites of lamb — the first meat I have eaten since dinner on the plane.  Go figure.

Tomorrow rates to be biggest challenge of all.  Dave and I are supposed to climb some 2,900 feet, possibly in the rain, and that's just the first day.  Weather aside, this could well prove to be the most difficult thing I ever have done — assuming that I survive.  Isn't that how it is supposed to work — waiting until one is 74 years old to tackle all the hard stuff?

We'll be spending not two, but three nights in huts this time.  On the fourth day, Dave has arranged a shortcut exit that should get us back into town here by late morning.  That should give me time to prepare at least a partial accounting of the Kepler Track; for early the next morning we will set off on yet another four-day romp on the famed Milford Track, which will conclude our hiking plans.