The lady at the tour office told us the best thing about the hike was the forest. We weren't too excited by this idea, both being more interested in views of the mountains, but had heard good things, and had limited options. As it turns out, the forest was actually amazing. On account of their meters of rainfall a year, this was the most lush forest I've ever seen. Moss and ferns everywhere.
And nice waterfalls...
And enough breaks in the trees to satisfy out craving from views of the mountains...
After about 6 hours of hiking, we finally arrived at Lake Alabastar. Lakes, mountain views, say no more.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Zealand has an amazing network of huts on all the hikes throughout the country. And while this can take away from the camping experience if you're really looking to be one with nature, it's fucking sweet when it's the winter. This was one of the newer huts, and was really nice. We were joined by a couple kiwi's spending a week hunting deer in the area as well (deer were introduced in the 1900's and with no natural predators became a huge problem. A hunter's paradise).
I will also take this chance to tell you about Mark's new hobby (T you're going to love this). It's been a while since Mark's thyroid condition has entered the scene, but after feeling a little bit low for a while, M decided to try out another recommendation of the Thyroid Solution...thai chi. While in Auckland, Mark snuck off early one morning to a class. And what better place to put it to the test than in the mountains. Being the good friend that I am, when he told me he was going for a walk, I followed him knowing full well he was going to practice some thai chi, and just had to get a picture of it. He thought he could hide behind a bush, but I found him...
The next morning we awoke to fog over the lake. Luckily for us, being winter, and in the mountains, the sun doesn't actually rise until about 9:00, so we were able for once be awake for the sunrise. Now I can't say I've actually made it up in time for many sunrises, but this was definitely the nicest sunrise I've ever seen.
Sunrises...excellent chi...
That day the plan was to do a day hike to the next lake. With sore knees, and a lazy demeanor, I decided to pass on the day hike which promised to be strenuous, and opted to go for a walk around the lake, possibly find a nice spot to set up the hammock and read a little, and enjoy the surroundings. It was nice.
Mark on the other hand, a man who doesn't enjoy sitting around, and who enjoys a good physical challenge, opted for the day hike. Highlights included falling into a river while trying to cross it (seen below), a lake that was average to good, and a 3 hours hike/half run to make it back in time before sunset.
That evening we found out that the kiwis also knew how to play euker, so we had some entertainment (the sun goes down around 6:00..and after that, not a whole lot to do by candle light). The next morning we were greeted by yet another amazing sunrise, and were on our way back out.
Not without a quick stop to climb a mossy tree.
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