Queen Charlotte Track

 

Actually these are some additional pics from our wonderful stay in Kaikoura

 

Cormorants

  

Now to Picton...Scotty spotted this houseboat and decided it would be perfect for Elizabeth.

  

Oh my goodness - these dolphins were swimming within 2 feet of our boat! (We took an hour boat ride out to Ship Cove to begin our epic 71km hike.) The hike was along old bridle paths connecting old farms and mines in this region. The paths went along ridges, across saddles, cutting through dense tropical forests and following sandy beaches. Cicadas were so loud at times that we were no longer able to hear t, s, or z-sounds, making it sound like we had lisps and our ears rang from the din. They also flew top speed into our ears and faces. New Zealand also has vicious black flies which feasted on us at dusk. Another thing is that when guide books here tell you that a hike will take 8 hours, it takes a FULL 8 hours. We hiked all day for 4 days straight up and down mountains and even though our backpacks were lighter than usual, it was exhausting.

  

Here we both are at the same spot that Captain Cook landed several times between 1770 and 1777. The trail starts here. Gorgeous!

 

Lush primeval looking forests

 

A flightless Weka bird who nibbled Scott's ankles on our lunch break

The ocean through the forest in striking gradations of electric blue

Tree ferns have been around since before dinosaurs says Scott (from the Carboniferous period).

A swing bridge

Folks provided sundries along the way, all on the honor system (both money and items were left out unlocked). You could buy things like fine jewelry and handmade walking sticks. Also, our luggage was dropped off near each of our campsites and they were perfectly fine left there all day. Apparently they have never had a problem with theft. Here is my infamous chicken face

Here we are at old Bob's miners camp. Bob drove around in a 50-year-old Briggs and Stratton belt drive single speed tractor, with his tiny dog, Ruby, barking at his side. He sold us still-warm eggs for 50 cents a piece.

These are all from our first night of camping on the trail

This tractor was a century old, out in the middle of nowhere, where there have never been roads.

We still have scores more pictures from this incredible hiking trip, but it is quite difficult to sit down and spend the time editing and uploading pics when there is such beauty outside to go explore! Stay tuned for more stories of the hike, like how sting rays surrounded us in the water when we were wading!

Some of Scott's amazing panoramas...these are all from Kaikoura

Tomorrow we head up to Nelson, then on further to Abel Tasman Park.