It's interesting to note that two weeks before we set out on the Kepler Mountain Range, the snow was chest
high on the ridges. Of course, it's summer in the southern hemisphere. Then again, this is South Island,
New Zealand.
One more point before continuing with the hike pictures for Kepler and stories from this country.
We are living in Manapouri in a motel that overlooks one of the finest views we have ever seen, the lake of
the same name containing many islands and multi-mountains as a backdrop. Furthermore, from our bed, we look
directly at the peak of Mount Luxmore (4,829 feet), the place we sat earlier in the week. I think that's
amazing although the editor thought the description too strong. I re-thought it and still consider it amazing.
We're off on another trek for three days in weather expected to be: Heavy rain. How exciting!
The other side of the Kepler Range and track: A setting sun and rising moon create the ambiance for
a multi-day trek.
Some commentary, impressions and expressions before 'hitting the slopes' of New Zealand.
We always look forward to visiting New Zealand, a country that was a fellow colony with South Africa
until 1961 but has remained linked in spirit. It’s easy to relate to the locals—they are an earthy lot,
physically strong and perhaps a little reckless. Should you wish to jump off cliffs, swing on cliff edges,
ride daredevil cycles down mountain trails and a host of other activities of a suicidal bent, this is the
place to be. By the way, those activities are not an attraction for us. Why not, we ask ourselves. We appreciate
the hiking trails, mountains, great lakes and sparsely inhabited South Island—the latter point does not
necessarily apply in respect of Queenstown with the overwhelming number of tourists, and Christchurch,
perhaps Dunedin, too.
The same lake, the same region, a myriad of colors, shades and sheen in two days.
For a short interval, the light, probably effected by dust, influenced the colors remarkably.
Above one of the mountain ridges, we catch contrasting sunlight and shadows.
When traveling to the country, one should prepare the mind accordingly. The environment is a big deal
over here. We love the environment—our lives are spent facing the challenges and enjoying the beauty of nature.
However, we like to think of ourselves as moderate in nature. Nevertheless, the bureaucrats control the entry
points plus a whole lot of other things. As a start, one should not even think of bringing in an apple or
other fruit. The list of prohibited foods is exhaustive although we did not read much of regulations regarding
controlled narcotics and many other items that we consider bad to allow into a country. Dogs patrol the airport,
searching for ham sandwiches, fruit salads and ice-cream sundaes. It seems that a person can be infected with
disease and enter but that same individual should not even dream of smuggling a banana or heaven forbid, a grapefruit.
We worry at times that this may be subversive commentary.
Jenni tackles a long, winding climb. 'She'll be coming round the mountain...'
"Hey, Mate! Did you hear this one: A parrot walks into a bar carrying a man in a cage?"
Miss Casual Pique sits on peak of Mount Luxmore.
Then there are boots. In the army, to keep out of trouble, we had to shave and keep our boots and rifles clean.
If a soldier had gangrene, so what. ‘Where have those shoes been in the last months?’ The immigration officer
inquired. They scrape the soles searching for particles that might destroy the country. Should a person pass
the various tests of food and clean boots then you have arrived. However, please don’t print a receipt at
the ATM—rather save the environment. There can’t be a good future for stationers. We would guess that
a terrorist has a better chance of smuggling a Molotov cocktail into the country than a tomato cocktail.
Through the frame: Dark clouds, light mountains. The 'curtain's closing' on another spectacular.
Mount Titiroa looks snowed under. Not true. The granite surface reflects the sunlight, creating a snow effect.
Clear and colorful, an impressive place, to say the least.
On the way down, while on the way up on a good path. Backpack's taking a rest from the trails.
The west side of the country, the Fiordlands in particular, is infested with sandflies. They are
mosquito type insects but fly at a slower pace. Should one not be careful, the pests will devour one alive.
Many years ago, in order to control the rabbit population, the powers that be in all their wisdom imported
a rodent called a stoat. Unfortunately, in winter the rabbits did a duck or were elusive, leaving the stoats
without a source of food. So instead of playing by the rulebook, the nasty little rodents went after the kiwi,
the national bird as well many others. The story gets interesting because the kiwis had stopped flying by then.
Apparently, they had no natural enemies on the ground. Little did they know that man had planned something
else for the islands.
Along the ridges and edges makes the second day of Kepler a delight.
So many cloud pictures, so many left behind.
A bit of a rocky finish at one of the peaks.
Therefore, the imported highly productive stoats had to go but apparently they liked the hiking
too much to leave. They were not departing without putting up stiff resistance—they are still here and
the population is growing despite efforts to the contrary. So much for man sorting out the eco-balance.
We also want to ask the Kiwis (people not birds), why the kiwis (birds not people) according to evolutionary
theories, did not take up flying again. Rumor has it that the New Zealand bureaucrats had imposed stringent
rules on all those wishing to learn to fly. Re-learners had added complications including heavy fees and taxes
plus fuel surcharges even when prices are falling...(to be continued).
Lake Te Anau during early morning; what's not to love?
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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