Day 15 – January 8:
Today, our last full day and our last activity. It has been getting really hard to get up out of bed on schedule, even though it is for something totally worth it. A 6km hike on the Kepler Trail to finish it off. The Kepler Trail, Milford Trail, and several others are some of the “Great Walks” here in NZ. Normally, you have to book these well in advance through a lottery system to use the huts and they take several days (would love to do that). This time, we just did an easy portion of it. Took a water taxi across the lake and walked to the official start of the trail at the Control Gates which regulate the water out of the lake. Very pretty forest walk. I mentioned several times about the invasive species of animals and plants, but another interesting fact we learned was that the native plants are so unique and specialized for their environment. Maybe it’s because there were never a lot of animals (just birds) that the fauna became more advanced. There are trees with genders, trees that take 1000 years to mature, others that totally change their look (like totally) just to avoid a certain extinct species of giant bird (the Moa). There are leaves that smell good and some that smell bad. There is the Pepper Tree which we ate the leaves of and, surprise-surprise, it was super spicy. The plant life here is just incredibly adaptive and amazing to see.
After the walk, we were dropped off at yet another bird sanctuary; this one was free and in the open and a great chance to see some of the harder to find birds. The Takahe was the main feature here (and is the mascot in the Air New Zealand safety video), but there were others. From there we walk the rest of the way to the hotel around the lake.
Ahead of our dinner reservation, we got changed and headed into town for some shopping (we bought a lot) and then to the lake for the kids to take a swim. Caden jumped in during our hike and Molly wanted the chance for the same. This lake is crystal clear and gorgeous…and silly cold. Too bad for mom and dad who just got tattoos and couldn’t swim! Kids were brave and had a great time. Back to the hotel and to our dinner reservation (thought ahead this time) at the Red Cliff Café. This was the perfect finish. A nice little place with an outdoor patio with great food and drinks. We played a round of mini golf afterwards (because it was only 9pm and still very light) and called it a day.
New Zealand Day 16
Today, our last full day and our last activity. It has been getting really hard to get up out of bed on schedule, even though it is for something totally worth it. A 6km hike on the Kepler Trail to finish it off. The Kepler Trail, Milford Trail, and several others are some of the “Great Walks” here in NZ. Normally, you have to book these well in advance through a lottery system to use the huts and they take several days (would love to do that). This time, we just did an easy portion of it. Took a water taxi across the lake and walked to the official start of the trail at the Control Gates which regulate the water out of the lake. Very pretty forest walk. I mentioned several times about the invasive species of animals and plants, but another interesting fact we learned was that the native plants are so unique and specialized for their environment. Maybe it’s because there were never a lot of animals (just birds) that the fauna became more advanced. There are trees with genders, trees that take 1000 years to mature, others that totally change their look (like totally) just to avoid a certain extinct species of giant bird (the Moa). There are leaves that smell good and some that smell bad. There is the Pepper Tree which we ate the leaves of and, surprise-surprise, it was super spicy. The plant life here is just incredibly adaptive and amazing to see.
After the walk, we were dropped off at yet another bird sanctuary; this one was free and in the open and a great chance to see some of the harder to find birds. The Takahe was the main feature here (and is the mascot in the Air New Zealand safety video), but there were others. From there we walk the rest of the way to the hotel around the lake.
Ahead of our dinner reservation, we got changed and headed into town for some shopping (we bought a lot) and then to the lake for the kids to take a swim. Caden jumped in during our hike and Molly wanted the chance for the same. This lake is crystal clear and gorgeous…and silly cold. Too bad for mom and dad who just got tattoos and couldn’t swim! Kids were brave and had a great time. Back to the hotel and to our dinner reservation (thought ahead this time) at the Red Cliff Café. This was the perfect finish. A nice little place with an outdoor patio with great food and drinks. We played a round of mini golf afterwards (because it was only 9pm and still very light) and called it a day.
New Zealand Day 16
