After breakfast we walked to our first location to go for a boat ride on Lake Mapourika. Dale was our guide and there was only 4 of us on the boat including Dale. He told us about the wildlife, mostly birds which we saw quite a few of. The stunning views of the lake, mountains and glaciers, oh my! Pictures can’t do it justice. Dale made me a rose out of a flax leaf. He also showed us a picture of two trees taken 111 years ago and then the same trees that hardly changed size in all those years. Halfway through the ride he made us tea or hot chocolate. It was an unplanned private tour!
Getting back into town we went to the market and bought food for lunch and dinner.
At 2:45 we headed back to the second location. Again only another couple showed up and we rode to Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Chris, our next guide was as awesome as Dale. He took us off the beaten track and we saw things no one else did! I actually got a picture of a chamois but it’s far away and hard to see. Once again, halfway through the walk, we had cookies and coffee or tea. He took us to the river/rapids and also to Peter’s Pool. Our final stop was Defiance Hut. Another amazing tour and we think that we got a great view of Franz Joseph!
Back at the hotel, I made the first home cooked meal while on vacation. Can’t believe how excited we were about having curly noodles and meat sauce with Italian bread for dinner and an apple strudel for dessert.
Another wonderful day in the books!
Breathtaking! These unexpected “private tours” can’t be beat! Love when that happens.
Hey Nancy and Bill,
We are looking at your lovely posts from the beginning! We don’t have any glaciers in Florida! LOL Andrew and Aunt Eleanor are together, salivating over those noodles! We wanted the name of the restaurant! Anyway it looks great and you are having a great time! Say good on you to everyone down there! Love Andrew and Eleanor.