Hey, everyone!  It has been a pretty eventful week but BOY did the weekend go by quickly.  The highlights of the week have been a day trip to Wānaka and then a hike from Twelve Mile to Bob’s Cove Lookout, followed by a hike at Mount Crichton.  Read on!

Wānaka

Since I was off work Tuesday, I decided to go with my friend Daniel to Wānaka.  I wasn’t sure what was there, really, but I have heard great things about the place.

The drive to Wānaka was lovely.  My favorite part of the trip was when the road wove through a valley, surrounded by mountains painted with golden tussocks.  I don’t have a picture of the tussocks, but they have been featured in other pictures of mountains I’ve posted in the past.  When the sunlight hits them right, they make the mountains look so amazing!

Once in Wānaka, we went to the lake to see “#ThatWānakaTree” – which is a popular tourist destination.  It is essentially… a tree growing in the water.  Daniel noticed a shag bird perched on the tree.  Moments after, it flew away.

There were a couple of other trees further down the lake and I felt upset for them that they weren’t getting as much attention as #ThatWānakaTree was haha.  And so, I am featuring them here.

Daniel and I decided to walk along the Waterfall Creek trail that was parallel to the lakefront.  It was a nice, cruisy walk.  In the middle of the lake, there was an island.  I always love that.  I thought it would be nice to take a kayak to the island for a picnic or something.

I had heard there was a waterfall along the trail, but I didn’t see it.  Maybe it doesn’t exist?

After our walk, we drove around for a while, driving a little closer to Mount Aspiring National Park.  One day, I’ll have to go to the actual park and do some walks.

While driving, we passed by some sheep farms and so, so many sheep were just hanging on the road, looking at us and then running away as the car got closer.  So cute!  I kept laughing because it was so absurd.  The sheep would stand in the middle of the road, staring at the car and then they’d all start running away.  Over and over and over again.  Heaps of sheep.

We drove to a nice lookout and hung out for a bit.  Before heading back, I decided to jump in the lake.  It was really cold, but rejuvenating.  That’s the nice thing about the glacial water – while it is cold, it feels really good once you get out.

It was later in the day at this point and Daniel and I both wanted to get back so we could have our dinners and chill out the rest of the night. 

Twelve Mile to Bob’s Cove Lookout

On Sunday, after yoga by the lake and lunch, I made my way to Twelve Mile.  My plan for the day was originally to go to Mount Crichton, but after looking on the map, I realized the place I had actually intended to go to was the Bob’s Cove Lookout.  I decided to walk from Twelve Mile to the lookout and then if I felt up to it, make my way to Mount Crichton after.

I’m so glad I did the walk.  It wasn’t overly challenging but it was very enjoyable.  Covered by the shade of trees through most of the walk, there were lots of nice viewpoints.  Walking amongst the trees was nice, too.  I occasionally would stop to put my hand to the trees or to the earth, just to exchange energy.

Along the way, I saw the occasional bird but as per usual, my favorite sighting was a tūī  that perched high atop a barren tree – surveying its surroundings.

The walk took maybe an hour from the starting point to the lookout.  Once at the lookout, I sat down and admired the scenery for some time.  I could see a little bit of snow dusted on the top of the Remarkables range.  I could see the peak of Ben Lomond as well.  With the sun out, Lake Whakatipu was a beautiful shade of blue.  (Or was it cerulean?)

Mount Crichton

Since the Bob’s Cove walk wasn’t too strenuous, I decided to continue on and hike the Mount Crichton Loop Track.  The signs said 2.5 hours but I’ve found that in Aotearoa, the hiking times are typically generous.

I’m so glad I did this walk.  Most of the time, the trail ran parallel to a creek which occasionally morphed into small, cascading waterfalls.  It was a very lush walk, with ferns and moss clinging to the sides of the track.  It seemed like the perfect spot to look for glow worms at night!  There were some really large mushrooms along the track, too – but none as large as the one my mom showed my nephew and me in Michigan!

The trail zigged and zagged with inclines and declines throughout.  It wasn’t very challenging but occasionally, I noticed my heart rate was up.

There were some interesting gems along the track.  One of them was a very narrow cavern-y area that apparently had been carved out during the gold mining era.  So much land had been mutilated during that time but it has been long enough that nature has started to reclaim it.

One of my favorite spots was a waterfall just next to the track.  Gorgeous! 

After the first twenty or thirty minutes, it was just me on the trail.  While most of the time, I was listening to the sounds of nature, I decided to use the opportunity near the end of the hike to listen and sing along to music. 

I had really wanted to check out Lake Dispute but it was getting later in the day and I worried about finding a ride back into town.  I decided to skip the one hour detour to Lake Dispute this time, but I will go back another day.  I may even camp there as it is a beautiful area.

After passing Lake Dispute, the views started to really open up.  Throughout most of the track, I was immersed in it – not getting many views of the surrounding mountains, but rather I was inside – surrounded by tall trees, etc.  During the last half of the trail, I was constantly bombarded with gorgeous views of the mountains, and even Walter and Cecil Peak from across Lake Whakatipu.  Absolutely stunning.

What a solid hike!

I managed to get a ride back home fairly quickly and then got Fergburger for dinner.  Yahoo!

Birthdays and Departures

So many people coming and going lately.  Vienen y se van.  They come and they go.  During the week, there were a couple of celebrations. 

We had a birthday party for Nittsy in the kitchen which was really nice.  I baked two cakes.  It was essentially a chocolate cake but once baked, I poked holes in it, poured in some condensed milk and caramel sauce.  I then let it cool and added frosting!  I got good reviews on the cake which I was happy to hear because it has been a VERY long time since I’ve made a cake haha.

The group made a huge batch of a Chilean hot dog (completos) – which is basically a hot dog on a bun, with a whole bunch of smashed avocado, diced tomatoes, some relish, mayonnaise, and mustard.  Que rico!  After I tried it, Valeria and Romina told me “you have to go to Chile now.  They have these on every street.”  Yum!  Count me in.

On another night, we had a goodbye party for Laurie, Gang, and Nathan by the lake.  I showed up late since I had some things on after work but it was a good time!  I didn’t stay too long but had some nice conversations. 

Another night, Valeria, Nittsy, Gang, Marion, Kilaya, Kevin, Carlos, and I went out dancing.  Lau and Martin joined at one point.  We went to Bunker which had excellent music and then to Latin Party at London which was a fun time, too.  I said goodbye to Gang as he was leaving town the following morning.  It is a shame because Gang is SUCH a smiley, happy guy.  He will be missed!

I feel like I’ve been talking about people coming and going a lot lately but it is just the theme at the moment.  Even the new people aren’t staying very long – only a month or two.  I think the next batch will likely be those interested in coming and staying for the winter season.  I’ll be among them!

Miscellaneous

I went to the dentist the other day for the first time in maybe two years.  Very grateful to report I have no cavities or big issues!  I may have to get a custom mouth guard sooner than later because I do clench my teeth in my sleep.  Alas.

When in Wānaka, I realized that “Rose Peak” is actually “Roy’s Peak.”  A few hostel friends had gone hiking at Roy’s Peak but with their accents, I swore everyone was saying they were going to “Rose Peak” haha.  Daniel told me that Roy’s Peak only got really famous a few years back, after an Instagram post of the location went viral.  He said the carpark used to be one or two cars and now is almost always packed.

Lately, I have been starting to make arrangements for my trip to Rakiura/Stewart Island.  I will be going there the week that I get back to Aotearoa New Zealand after stopping home.  One of my co-workers suggested I reach out to different tour companies to see if I could get any “industry rates”.  I reached out to a few and sure enough, I was able to get a 20% discount on the ferry to/from Rakiura/Stewart Island (which admittedly is quite expensive.  $110 one way!) but the bonus of it all is that they are letting me do a Free of Charge guided walking tour to Ulva Island which is typically also $110.  How cool is that?!

Planning my trip to Rakiura/Stewart Island is the first time I’ve properly planned with time constraints since… probably before Australia.  I can get a little obsessive at times – reading, reading, reading.  I’m mostly just reading about people’s experiences encountering kiwi, as it is one of the best places to spot kiwi in Aotearoa.  While it is fun to hear about others experiences, I have had to remind myself that researching will not shape the outcome of my experience.  I can read about people seeing kiwi on Rakiura all I want, but it doesn’t mean I will necessarily see one.  Of course when researching, you can find out the best spots, etc.  But when reading too much… I can get a little crazy and one-track-minded, so I need to be mindful.  The ultimate goal is to see a kiwi during the daytime… and to photograph it!  It sounds like Ulva Island (a 10 minute, $20 return ferry ride from the main township) is the best place to see them during the day.  Even if I don’t see a kiwi this time, I can return to Rakiura once I finish working in Queenstown.

Art of the Week

Reflections

I was chatting with someone the other day about Australia vs Aotearoa New Zealand.  I told them that for me, while I tried to go to Aotearoa knowing it wasn’t going to be Australia, it was sort of an adjustment.  My love for Australia was swift.  It was outrageous and in your face – wildlife everywhere, dry heat and plentiful snorkelling opportunities.  In Aotearoa, it has been more like a blossoming flower.  I find it is about paying attention to the little things.  Community, the appreciation of the occasional wildlife sightings like the bumblebee on my yoga mat or the caterpillar on my sweater.   Meeting my favorite musician again and having a once-in-a-lifetime front row seat.  The diversity of birdlife, yoga along the lakefront, jumping into a glacial lake even though I really didn’t want to.  The aurora australis on my birthday, learning Spanish, learning to balance on the slackline. 

The seed has been planted. The love is growing.

That’s all for now.

Until next time!  Sending you all my love.  xx