New Zealand is a beautiful pair of islands of soaring mountains and sparkling blue water, friendly people and not nearly enough sheep. We arrived in the picturesque village of Queenstown, “Adventure capital of New Zealand”, on Easter Sunday. This lovely walkable town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is crawling with international backpackers. A trekking bus drove us 2 hours to the Routeburn Trailhead, where we began a 3-day trek though Fangorn Forest and up rainbow-bedecked mountains. No self-respecting Seattleite would be put off by a little drizzle. Fortunately we made it to the last shelter right before the big guns came out.

I can see why the Routeburn Track was named a Classic Hike of the World. It was gorgeous all around. The hut system allowed us not to pack a tent or stove, though we did have to put up with bear-like snoring. In the future we might reserve spots for both tents and huts so that we can use the indoor gas stoves, but spend the night in a more secluded location.

We took a lot more photos, which you can see here on facebook. If only a camera was able to capture the true majesty of the scenery. You’ll just have to believe me when I say New Zealand is one of the top places you should go before you die. It’s a hiker’s paradise. We would move there in a heartbeat if we could. Mr. Wonderful also captured snippets of the hike on video camera, which you can see on Flickr. My favorite is from the top of Conical Hill on the beautiful, sunny day 2 of the trek.

Part I: Queenstown & Routeburn Track
Part II: Auckland
Part III: Rotorua & Wellington

New Zealand Trip Reads:

• PACK CHALLENGE, GO FETCH, and HERE KITTY KITTY by Shelly Laurenston
• THE LION’S DAUGHTER by Loretta Chase
• KITTY AND THE MIDNIGHT HOUR by Carrie Vaughn
• WALK ON THE WILD SIDE by Christine Warren
• OH GODDESS! by Gwen Hayes
• JORDAN by Lori Foster
• MEXICAN HEAT by Josh Lanyon & Laura Baumbach
• PRINCE OF MAGIC by Linda Winstead Jones
  

Mr. Wonderful and I set off today for 10 days in New Zealand:

On a hippie trail, head full of zombie

Part 1: Hike the Routeburn Track, one of the Classic Hikes of the World, out of Queenstown, South Island. The 3-day hike is either 45 K or 32 K, according to the Classic Hikes Book or the NZ Gov’t site, respectively. It passes through Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. We will be staying in huts along the way.

The Routeburn Track is…a hike of rich variety and complex beauty that whets the appetite for more. This historic alpine route penetrates the glacier-carved landscapes of New Zealand’s Southern Alps–rain forests, high basins, and mountain peaks. From classic U-shaped glacial valleys to snowy passes, the Routeburn traverses strikingly diverse mountain terrain while delivering botanical surprise, exotic bird song, and scenic payoff on a big scale, (Potterfield, p204)

six-foot-four and full of muscles

Part 2: Auckland (where Mr. Wonderful will be occupied with business meetings) I don’t have plans. My usual pattern is to wander a new city, admiring/criticizing the city planning and browsing bookstores, until I can’t feel my feet anymore. However, after a 28-mile hike, I may chose to take it easy. Maybe I’ll rent a bike.

I’ll most likely have internet connection Thursday, when we arrive in Auckland. Until then, here is your moment of zen————->