Ata Whenua - Shadowlands
Tonight I watched an amazing documentary film at the Fiordland cinema. If I had the money I would have bought a copy on DVD to send home so everyone could enjoy it. Just scenery from all over Fiordland, mostly taken from helicopters or boats, views and closeups of waterfalls, mountains that peek out over the top of clouds with the dawn breaking on the edge of the clouds, waves smashing the sea, stone arches and natural rock bridges (that look like they're going to collapse into the sea) it was amazing. Half an hour of scenery, trees, forests, closeups of native flora and fauna, kea and kaka.
I am so looking forward to my trip tomorrow and seeing more of what there is to see. I'm quite sad that the Sutherland Falls side track is closed - apparently you can still see the falls but you can't go to it, due to a massive rock slide a few months ago, as well as a big rock thats still poised over the track waiting to fall on top of unwary (and stupid) travellers.
The weather forecast is looking sort of ok, but its hard to tell when they describe the weather for Queenstown and Te Anau, coz the Milford track is apparently 4 seasons in one day. I'm hoping that if it does rain, its just a light drizzle that comes and goes quickly. But I wouldn't mind it bucketing down after lunchtime on Sunday, coz I would love to see Milford Sound awash with waterfalls.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Milford Track
I arrived in Queenstown on Monday with a sore back not sure why. Yesterday I went sightseeing around the lake and did some last minute shopping. Today I caught the bus to Te Anau, a beautiful little town next to an awesome lake and also the jump off point for both the Kepler track and the Milford track. THE MILFORD TRACK!!! I am so excited tomorrow I'm starting THE MILFORD TRACK!!! I've been looking forward to it for ages.
53kms of stunning scenery over 4 days, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, streams, greenery all kinds of amazement. I am so so so looking forward to it, the walking and the photos and especially the waterfalls. I don't know what else to say, I'm just really happy right now. I get my bus in the morning and then a 1hr boat ride on the lake to the start of the walk, the first day is 5kms which is quite sweet actually. The second day is about 16kms which starts off flat and then gradually climbs with a steep bit at the end. The 3rd day is 14kms you go up 11 switchbacks (which I think are like zigzags) 400m to Mckinnon pass and up past it to the top, then you come down 900m on the other side (I've been told to be careful of my knees at that point) then the last day is 18kms of mostly flat, lots of waterfalls, and Bell rock which I've been told to look out for, I don't know why but I guess I'll find out.
Then I get a boat at the end to Milford Sound then a bus back to Queenstown that night. I'm so happy and so looking forward to tomorrow! (Like a little kid on Christmas eve waiting for Santa to come hehe). Yay!!
53kms of stunning scenery over 4 days, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, streams, greenery all kinds of amazement. I am so so so looking forward to it, the walking and the photos and especially the waterfalls. I don't know what else to say, I'm just really happy right now. I get my bus in the morning and then a 1hr boat ride on the lake to the start of the walk, the first day is 5kms which is quite sweet actually. The second day is about 16kms which starts off flat and then gradually climbs with a steep bit at the end. The 3rd day is 14kms you go up 11 switchbacks (which I think are like zigzags) 400m to Mckinnon pass and up past it to the top, then you come down 900m on the other side (I've been told to be careful of my knees at that point) then the last day is 18kms of mostly flat, lots of waterfalls, and Bell rock which I've been told to look out for, I don't know why but I guess I'll find out.
Then I get a boat at the end to Milford Sound then a bus back to Queenstown that night. I'm so happy and so looking forward to tomorrow! (Like a little kid on Christmas eve waiting for Santa to come hehe). Yay!!
Friday, March 8, 2013
2013
I can't believe its been such a long time since I wrote. I've been on the internet on a regular basis but somehow that was not strong enough of a draw for me to come to this page - the one where I can write anything I want, and pretty much nobody knows its me. I like it like that.
So far this year has been pretty good. Except for my sister moving away, that sucked. And with so little warning too, or maybe I was just oblivious to seeing it coming. I attempted a sugar, meat and bread free detox, that lasted 10 days which was quite good for me I think.
Have been gearing up for my Milford Track trip which starts tomorrow night when I drive up to auckland the night before I catch my flight (so excited!). Stay in Queenstown a couple nights, then to Te Anau for a day, then the bus and boat to glade wharf and we're off!! I'm not sure I'm fit enough, but I'm definately fitter than when I did the Routeburn track, and I've learnt a lot in the time since (like don't pack so many clothes, and don't take so much food). I hope it is as good as I've been imagining it, and that the weather holds out.
Overcast but not hot with the last day light rain and therefore waterfalls streaming down the mountain would just be my idea of PERFECTION. But if its not like that will just have to put up with whatever happens, can't do much about the weather.
I was just reading up on the guys that discovered the Milford track, Quintin Mackinnon, Sutherland and McKay, very interesting and must have loved the outdoors a lot. I love the outdoors but not enough to permanently venture away from society. So this is Great Walk #3 and I can't believe I haven't yet tackled any in the north island, you would think those would be the ones to start with, but no i have to first do the ones at the opposite end of the country lol.
So far this year has been pretty good. Except for my sister moving away, that sucked. And with so little warning too, or maybe I was just oblivious to seeing it coming. I attempted a sugar, meat and bread free detox, that lasted 10 days which was quite good for me I think.
Have been gearing up for my Milford Track trip which starts tomorrow night when I drive up to auckland the night before I catch my flight (so excited!). Stay in Queenstown a couple nights, then to Te Anau for a day, then the bus and boat to glade wharf and we're off!! I'm not sure I'm fit enough, but I'm definately fitter than when I did the Routeburn track, and I've learnt a lot in the time since (like don't pack so many clothes, and don't take so much food). I hope it is as good as I've been imagining it, and that the weather holds out.
Overcast but not hot with the last day light rain and therefore waterfalls streaming down the mountain would just be my idea of PERFECTION. But if its not like that will just have to put up with whatever happens, can't do much about the weather.
I was just reading up on the guys that discovered the Milford track, Quintin Mackinnon, Sutherland and McKay, very interesting and must have loved the outdoors a lot. I love the outdoors but not enough to permanently venture away from society. So this is Great Walk #3 and I can't believe I haven't yet tackled any in the north island, you would think those would be the ones to start with, but no i have to first do the ones at the opposite end of the country lol.
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