High and Dray at Lake Takepo

Kia ora from Lake Tekapo, NZ,
    Today is our second day at this lovely glacier lake on the South Island.   It is VERY hot (35 degrees C or 87 F) and unfortunately I am very allergic to the pollinating summer grasses.   Ironic, since we wanted to escape OR winters!
     So, as usual, Chuck is off hiking the big hills here while I paint and write.
     We love visiting NZ, with its friendly people, great hikes and accomodations and beautiful scenery.   But what I like most is hearing the Kiwi people with their Kiwi expressions.   Here is a list of them with translations:
Bugger....................................................................Darn it!
a wee bit..................................................................A small amount
dag..........................................................................A jokester
heaps.......................................................................Lots of
Scroggin................................................................... A snack food (gorp)
"Stone the Crow!"....................................................... "I'll be damned!"
Tramping in the Bush..................................................Hiking in nature
Chiller....................................................................... Freezer
"Take a nosy!".............................................................Look around
Fanny.......................................................................Vagina (Do NOT say
                                                                                                Fanny Pack here,
                                                                                               means Vagina Pack)
   So, our next stop is Mt. Cook, the biggest snow covered peak.   Hoping for
clear air and views.   Travel is easy here, all hikes are labeled by difficulty, well marked and include lovely bedded huts with amenities.   The best hikes are Private Treks, very cushy and owned by locals.   Wish we had some in the US, as I would hike a lot more with a good Chardonnay waiting for me!
                                                                                                                            

Survivors of the Trek

Kia ora from Akaroa, NZ, where we just did a 4 day backpacking trek along the rugged coast of NZ with our Kiwi friends John and Jenny.   It's quite an undertaking at our age!   The route is privately owned by 8 farmers with well maintained paths, big signs, 4 lovely huts with flush toilets, kitchens and full beds (my style of camping!), and stunning coastline views.   We've made it!

Day 1:   Shuttled to first lodge on the coast off Akaroa with tropical flowers bloomi8ng and a clear, star studded nighttime sky (makes going to the outisde toilet so much easier!).   Slept in soft beds in room for 4, made our breakfast and started hiking at 9 to Flea Bay.   Our packs were delivered by truck to the next stop (Yay!).   It was a long six hour hike up and down through jungle like river beds with singing birds and past sheep pastures (Ba-ah!).   Slept in bunk beds (Chuck thought it was a tsunamii every time I rolled over in the bottom!).   That night a farmer gave us a tour of the local bird colony of NZ Little Penguins, rescued by this couple and nursed to health - so sweet!   They were a bit ugly though, since they were molting!

Day 2:   Began the day sea kayaking with friends on a perfect sunny day.   Saw fur seals, yellow eyed penguins and a pod of rare Hector dolphins swam next to our boat.   Paradise!   Then came the hard hike to Stone Bay carrying heavy backpacks in blazing sun on exposed hills.   Even the sheep complained!   Arrived at Stony Bay at 5 to our little Hobbit Hut village, complete with round doors, sinks with ferns growing, a hot shower built into stones, and cute comfy huts.   Celebrated with fresh steaks, vegies, and wine.   Survivors all!

Day 3:   Rained today in Otanorito but the hike was easier in cool, cloudy weather with hikers from NZ, Britain, and the US.  
Celebrated with a group meal of sausage, vegies and....more wine!   This hut had a double bed!   Yay!   Told stories and laughed until quite late.   Fun group!

Day 4:   Hiked out in shady forests for 4 hours.   Nice and cool!   Arrived in lovely Akaroa town, seeing the sailboats and hotels below.   We did it!   Six of us celebrated with fish and chips and beer.   Survuvors All!

Bula from Fiji!

We enjoyed 4 short days in lovely Fiji, retuning after 7 years.   Crusoe's Retreat is still an island paradise on Viti Levu with great diving and lush sea life, surrounded by tropical flowers, birds, and warm sunny skies every day.   We stayed in a grass hut on the beach.    Beautiful!

After attending a delicious local Fijian village dinner, I learned some life lessons from the Fijians.   For example, they always greet you with a smile, saying "Bula!" (which means "aloha").   They believe:   You always smile and sing, no matter what is happening.   Stay close to your clan (family).   Enjoy life and share with everyone.   Live simply, off the land, and care for it.   In any crisis, say "Singnalinga" (no worries!).    Oh, to live and think like a Fijian!

We will be back again and again!