30.12: New Zealand: St. Arnaud Ridge Trail: steep, high and testing in Nelson Lakes.
Smiling because she does not realize what awaits ahead. Editor reaches her goal, a delightful position. Some of the sights from the ridge were outstanding, particularly as clouds and mist created gaps. Jen feels relief when hiking in New Zealand. No snakes, leopards or bears. However, besides the horrible sandflies, she has been attacked on two occasions by wasps, insects not people. They left her arm and hand in a terrible condition; the swelling and rashes took time to disappear. What she does like, moving in a different direction, not her but the text. Wherever one walks in New Zealand, probably less so in Auckland, a person will see backpackers in the streets, on sidewalks, hitching and of course in the bush. It is a way of life in this country especially for foreigners. The elderly, youngsters and in-betweens, enjoy accommodation at backpacker establishments where food, experiences and stories are shared. It’s not unusual to see elderly people struggling on the tra...