These are the mountains at sunset. I don't have internet in my room, so I had to wait until this morning to add this photo. I read for a while and realized it was 10:00 - late for a hiking trip. Not quite dark, but I could tell the sky was borderline cloudless. I stayed up until about 11:00 just to see the stars. But the true wonder of the night was when I woke up at 3:00 and went outside and looked up. Those stars of my childhood memories still exist. Millions of them, so close that I realized that I had unconsciously raised one hand to touch them. Did you know they are actually brighter in the Southern Hemisphere? I looked it up - they reflect more sunshine. And the Milky Way was practically pearlized in a large band across the night. I dragged my desk chair outside and sat in my jammies in total wonder. I miss stars. We have too much light pollution in Louisville to ever see the stars. I finally went back inside when I got cold. Jammies are not very warm in the mountains.
I had a tasty cooked breakfast. They didn't have Diet Coke or Pepsi. They had a New Zealand all-natural version. Hmmmm, not bad, but I think I will stick with our two brands.
I can't quit taking photos of this phenomenally gorgeous area.
I saw a white stoat today. Evidently, they are also called ermines, mainly if they are in their white winter coats. They change from reddish brown to white in cold regions in order to blend into the snow. They are also called short-tailed weasels. Introduced into New Zealand in the late 19th century to control rabbits, the stoat has had a devastating effect on native bird populations. Pound for pound, they are the most ferocious hunters in the animal world, but they only weigh in at about a pound to a pound and a half. New Zealand is trying to rid itself of these pests. Their idea, not mine. I thought he was beautiful, but I wasn't quick enough to get a photo.
I copied this one from the free internet photos. Don't you think he is cute?
According to the trail sign, the mountains at Lake Ōhau were created between 18,000 and 32,000 years ago by a giant glacier. The Lake was created when the glacier melted, and the meltwater filled the basin.
These little bridges were fun to cross over.
This one was full of babbling mini waterfalls.
The shade on some parts of the trail was a slice of heaven because it was pretty warm today.
More stunning vistas.
As you can see, it is starting to cloud up.
I am still going up at this point.
More clouds and the wind was picking up. The breeze felt good.
I hurried back to the car. It was so clear today when I started that I almost didn't pack my rain gear. BUT, I lectured myself on "practice what you preach" and stuffed it into my pack. Didn't need it, but the weather can change so fast in the mountains.
I was hungry for something sweet when I got back to the lodge. They had these giant chocolate muffins. I practically demolished it.
My entertainment for the late afternoon. These kids (twenty-year-olds) sauntered by my room in swimsuits, headed for the lake. I could hear their cold water shrieks from my room a good city block away. Ahhhhhh, to be twenty again.
Dinner was fabulous. Just look at the color of this carrot and ginger soup. It was followed by freshly caught, soy/honey glazed salmon and sticky toffee pudding.
It looks cloudy but who knows, if I am lucky, I will wake up at 3:00 and be able to star glaze. Most of the time when I wake up in the middle of the night, it is not a good thing but here I am hopeful. Never say Never. Love to you all!
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