From Queenstown we began tramping in the Southland region of NZ. A beautiful place I must say, although we only got a taste! It was along our first track after Queenstown when we decided that instead of sticking to the Te Araroa tracks down to bluff for the last ten days, we were going to go to Stewart Island and do the Northwest Circuit, also a ten day tramp. Ever since we had heard about this tramp from some friends we had met on the trail (and continued to run into along the journey), Susan and Duncan, we had been intrigued. Stewart Island is a small island just south of the South Island. Most New Zealanders have never even been there and it is known to be a special place. A place where animal and plant species are found no where else in New Zealand, or the world! An island where a small township of less than 400 people live and the remaining 98% of the land is preserved and protected. It sounded like a magical place, and it was while walking we decided that Stewart Island was where we wanted to spend the last ten days of our journey.
WE LOVE PEOPLE
From this point forward, we were incredibly happy with our decision and so thankful for the experiences and adventures we had on Stewart Island. If you have followed any of our previous blogs regarding the Te Araroa, you have found that the people we meet and the relationships we create along the way are a highlight of our journey. This continued to be the case. From the minute we decided to head to Stewart Island, we met a series of people giving us rides who again showed us the meaning of love and generosity. The first was a kind gentleman who gave us a ride from the campground where the trail ended an hour into town the nearest town. A very friendly person who believed "do unto others as he would want done to him." The golden rule we often need reminding of. As he dropped us off he gave us Chocolate Easter bunnies, "in the spirit of Easter!" We then met a couple who picked us up that had recently lived on Stewart Island. Excited for our adventure, they told us all about the island and what we had awaiting for us. As we left, they gave us sea sick medicine (the ferry ride is known to be very rough), along with a bag of fresh venison sausages! (we had a fest for dinner!) It doesn't end there, as we were shortly picked up by another gracious fellow who gave us a ride we received from a commercial logging truck driver. What a fun ride that was, getting to ride in a big logging truck! Again, our appreciation deepens for those willing to take in "weary travelers," or "strangers" and simply give us a ride. We've learned it's much more than just a ride...whether that means a good conversation, warm smiles, chocolate Easter bunnies, insight to the country we are in, or sea sick medicine and venison...it's the little things that make the biggest difference, and we have grown to appreciate them greatly!
STEWART ISLAND
Onto our journey of Stewart Island...one of the most exciting parts of tramping Stewart Island was the fact that we were getting to tramp with Susan and Duncan, the couple we had met at the beginning of our T.A. journey, and had run into them again multiple times. A friendship waiting to happen. From the moment we got onto the ferry, Jacob and I were so happy and glad we decided to do this walk with our new friends! Oh the good times we had!
We had heard from lots of people that Stewart Island was a special place, but we didn't fully realize until we were there what that really meant. It was indeed a special place...hard to fully describe it, but to put it in a few words I would say tranquil, peaceful, exotic, undisturbed, and an island all to our own. We saw more wildlife than we had seen on the entire South Island. Different bird life, wild white-tailed deer, the NZ Kiwi (usually only seen at night if lucky), penguins, and even a shark! Not only was the wildlife abundant and diverse, but the ecosystem was also very diverse and different than any of tramps we had been on. We would start out the morning walking in dense bush and by mid-day be on a sandy beach. An hour later we would be back in the rain forest, and by dusk we would be boulder hopping along the rocky beaches. Besides the exotic flora and fauna, we enjoyed our company with Susan and Duncan--tramping in the rain, relaxing on the beach, playing cards, getting to know each other better, and just being in awe and constant thanksgiving of having the opportunity to be where we were. A couple other highlights included meeting a group of hunters half way through our tramp who graciously gave us fresh fruit, snacks, and bread (any tramper knows there is nothing better than fresh food, and more food in general on day five!), learning new card games, enjoying the hut life, submitting Mt Anglem (the highest peak on Stewart Island), and tramping through lots of MUD! Ten days went by quickly, but it was a special and sacred time spent with a couple we would now consider good friends.
FINISHING THE TE ARAROA
Stewart Island concluded our "Long Pathway" journey. 1400km, 71 days, and we made it to Bluff. We ended our journey in a different way than anticipated, but are happy none the less that we chose the route we did. It's hard to believe, it's bitter sweet, and yes, we are ruined for life because we have fallen in love with tramping and the outdoors all over again. A short reflection can sum up what our journey and tramping means to us.
TE ARAROA MEANS...
- "The Long Pathway"
- Being in nature, raw beauty, and amidst the beautiful creation our God so intricately made
- Getting away from business, pettiness, worldly stresses, desires, etc.
- Sore legs and aching muscles
- Layers, layers, layers!
- Lots of Muesli, Couscous, Noodle, and Dehydrated Food!
- Playing cards by candlelight for hours on end
- Waking up with the Sun and going to bed when the sun goes down
- Reading! Lots of books!
- Undisturbed time to just be present and take in the moment with those you are with
- No showers and learning to love bathing in the creeks
- Meeting strangers mid-day and by evening you're sharing stories, enjoying a cup of tea, and playing cards together as friends!
- Being challenged like you've never been challenged before and pushing your limits
- Trying new things
- Stinky feet and wet socks
- Hot tea on a cold, rainy day
- Roaring wood fireplaces that warm your body, mind, and soul
- Stillness and peace
- Beauty...natural beauty
- Sharing experiences and ideas with fellow trampers
- Pushing each other when we have no energy left.
- Breathtaking sunsets and sunrises
- Appreciating the little things, appreciating what you have, and the many blessings throughout the day
- Sleeping in cozy sleeping bags on a cool, crisp morning
- Time to think...about anything and everything
- Feelings of exhilaration and joy when finally reaching a saddle, submitting a peak, and the hut at the end of the day
- Can't forget the endless days of tussocks, muddy bogs, barren land, and road walking that seem to never end.
- Enduring through the tough times, and appreciating them for what they are
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| Check out our sweet ride! |
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| Welcome to Stewart Island! |
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| The itinerary of our tramp on Stewart Island |
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| Day one and in awe of this beautiful place already |
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| loving these shells |
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| Unique find of the day...this guys was on the beach |
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| Beautiful sunset at the first hut we stayed in. Serenity. |
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| So many beautiful beaches! |
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| Murray beach |
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| The Muddy Bogs along the trail up to Mt Anglem |
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| Jacob and Duncan at the top! |
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| We Made It! |
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| So neat to look all around the island from up here... |
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| lovers... |
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| and our friends! Susan and Duncan! |
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| Yankee River Hut. Home of the sandflies. |
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| A Beautiful estuary where our hut was situated |
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| In awe of every sunrise and sunset. Magnificent! |
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| Cool view of the sand dunes below |
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| Kiwi hunting...these are the tracks of the mysterious Kiwis! |
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| Found one! You can barely see him, but there is a grey Kiwi foraging around bedding those trees! A bit of a blur! |
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| Perfect place for a little swim. Shortly after when we continued walking we saw a shark! yes a shark! |
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| Such neat rock formations |
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| Cliffs next to Long Harry Hut |
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| Long Harry Hut... |
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| a homestead along the walkway... |
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| Overlooking the East Ruggedy Islands |
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| Beautiful! |
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| Looking inland at a completely different terrain. |
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| The four of us on the beach. Good times spent with Susan and Duncan! |
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| beautiful bay from the town of Oban |
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| Concluding our Stewart Island trip and ready to head to Bluff! |
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| We did it! |
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| At Bluff |
As we finish the Long Pathway, it seems as though the journey has just begun...
We really want to thank all our family and friends who have supported and encouraged us along the way, and all those we got to share the journey with as well. From the stage of preparation and planning what to pack, to those who sent us encouraging messages when we needed them most, to the fellow trampers who we got to share the many joys and challenges with. We are grateful and couldn't have done it without you!
Agape'
Jordan and Jacob :)
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