It's raining. We're in a little cabin beneath some snow capped peaks. It's called Gunn's place and it's in Hollyford about 40 km from Milford Sound. We'd planned to camp, but the rain doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon. We'll try again tomorrow night. My dad would appreciate this place. It has a quirky sense of humor. Gunn had a horse named Jane who lived to be 38. On one side of the horse, Gunn painted "horse". Visitors would ask why and he'd tell them with so many hunters around he didn't want Jane getting shot. The visitors would ask, "Why does the other side say 'cow'?"
"I need the milk," was Gunn's answer.
The shower water was heated by wood burning and there's a generator running the camp's electricity. Even through the rain the drive here was gorgeous. I am running out of adjectives for New Zealand.
This morning we packed in a few thrills on a canyoning adventure. Dressed in wet suits and climbing harnesses, we took to the woods near Queenstown. We walked up for about five minutes, spent some time criss-crossing a stream on ziplines and then abseiled/rappelled down to the stream. I enjoyed the rappelling and started to get a reputation as the group daredevil (not at all like a real daredevil) with a big kick off the wall for the photo they'd try to sell me later. Then I was eager to volunteer for a seven meter slide down a falls. I almost lost a shoe. The five meter and eight meter jumps were right up my alley too. The skydiving really knocked some of my fears away. I still had a slight hesitation at eight meters, but not much. Splish Splash!
C wasn't able to make the climb up for the jumps, but even after slipping and falling she remained in good spirits. I seemed more rattled by it than she was. Over the same pool as the jumps, we also took a zip line out over it (11m), belayed ourselves down and then released into the water. I couldn't get my knot undone, so required help from the guide, but it was still a hoot. We went through a narrow channel of water, belly-flopped into a pool and abseiled once more. It was a good time. Expensive for what it was, but not something easily recreated at home.
I accidently put our shoes and shirts in the wrong van which caused some more excitement to close out the adventure, but we eventually set things right and headed to Fergburger. It was underwhelming all ways but size. We were probably hungry, so a big burger was a win. Dinner was supermarket fare. Had we known we weren't going to camp we could have bought hot food, but the salami, Edam, and kiwi fruits were winners again. C wasn't feeling well and let me to shop for the next three meals. If we survive, I will have succeeded. I think I'm a little disappointed we aren't heading out on a bigger hike, but right now I'm not really prepared materially for a bigger hike and we don't really have time for one.
I'm still more hiker in my mind than reality. Someday I may acquire the right supplies, mindset, and time all at once. Until then 10 sleeps* until Christmas.
Other note: For some reason New Zealand has reminded me of college- perhaps the freedom, perhaps I just miss my friends a bit, but I've got a postcard off to the Smiths. Australia immediately reminded me of MS's time there. the silver fern looks like Jif's tattoo. We've heard music by S by iPod.
Not college, but I'm also reminded of MP's stories from South Africa. Maybe I do miss my friends a bit. There are many nice people on trips here. Maybe it's that common experience of holiday replacing college. Maybe it's all the talk of drinking. "Don't drink and fry." It's definitely been a good trip for a long one- not having the language barrier has been a huge relief.
(*Unless you happen to be flying back to the US and gaining a sleep.)
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