Day 43: Te Anau: Kepler Track + Dead Marshes

Today I woke up a bit late, I was planning to head out and finish a part of the Kepler Track. My goal was to reach the first checkpoint of the Kepler Track, and turn back. The hike would have been around 8 hours total with the return, but since I woke up late I only had 6 hours to hike, since I wanted to meet up with a new friend to look for Kepler Mire (which was used as the Dead Marshes in LOTR).

I went up through the track, but had to turn back on the 3rd hour to make it back to the hostel in time. The longer I took to get to the top meant a longer hike back. Although I didn't make it to the alpine section of the hike, the views of the forest and the change in plant life as I climbed was interesting.

After the long hike, my knees started acting up again. I realized that downhill hiking causes a lot more stress to the knees than uphill since each step down causes a stronger sudden impact. When I got back I met up with my new friend, and another person to find this place. It was actually a big disappointment. It was only around 15 minutes away, but the view of the Mire really sucked. After the disappointment we headed back, and I had a chat with my new hostel roomies.

My new friend was actually a really cute german girl. It sucked that we were going different directions. I even considered going to the Caitlins with her, but I figured I should keep to my schedule and move up to Queenstown next. The worst part is I don't have any pictures with her and I didn't add her on facebook...

It's okay though, I took it as a chance to see how fast I can move on. Travelling is great because you get to meet lots of new people and you get to make friends really quickly. Unfortunately that also means you have to learn how to move on just as quickly.

Kepler Track 1

Kepler Track 2

Kepler Track 3

Kepler Track 4: ROCKS! yey...

Kepler Track 5: more moss

Kepler Track 6: tired of Forest..

The point where I gave up

Kepler Track 7

Kepler Track 8

Kepler Track 9

Kepler Track 10

Kepler Track 11

Kepler Track 12

Cool looking tree bark

Kepler Track 13

Day 42: Te Anau: Milford Sound

In the morning I went for breakfast, made a new friend, and headed out to Milford Sound for a cruise with the korean couple. It was a 2 hour drive up to the Fiord, and the views were amazing. There were a lot of interesting stops on the way to Milford Sound too. We decided to pass by some of them on the way back.

On the cruise my new friend I met in the morning was on the same cruise, but I stuck around with my korean buddies most of the time. Ill just let the pictures describe the day...

On the way to Milford Sound

:O

Milford Sound 1

Milford Sound 2

Milford Sound 3 

Milford Sound 4 

Milford Sound 5

Milford Sound 6

Milford Sound 7

Milford Sound 8

Milford Sound 9

Milford Sound SEALS 

SEALS! these areas are where the younger seals escape from the more territorial male seals from the main colonies. So educational!

Milford Sound 10 

Milford Sound 11 

Milford Sound 12 

Milford Sound 13 

Milford Sound 14

on the way back

on the way back 2

on the way back 3

Key Summit Hike 1: The hike is part of the Routeburn track, one of the Great Walks of New Zealand

Key Summit

Key Summit 2

Key Summit 3

Key Summit 4

Key Summit 5

Key Summit 6

Key SUmmit 7

Mirror Lakes 1

Mirror Lakes 2

Road back to Te Anau sunset

Road back to Te Anau sunset 2

Day 41: Dunedin to Te Anau: Otago Peninsula + Drive

Today was going to be a driving day. I went to the Otago Peninsula to try and see some albatross, seals and maybe penguins. Unfortunately I didn't see any, probably because it was raining. There is also a castle in the area but it was foggy and I wasn't willing to pay to go inside. The castle is the only castle in New Zealand.

Other than the peninsula I just drove to Te Anau. There is another city, Invercargill, which I skipped. I think it would have been similar to Dunedin. I did hear that there was a place called the Caitlins, which would have been nice to pass by.

When I made it to Te Anau, I ran into my korean friends again! what are the chances! well the chances were high since we were travelling the same direction, but I feel like it was awesome how we got to Te Anau at the exact same time.

I checked in the hostel and met my roomie, who was an older farmer who's just visiting for the weekend.

Otago Peninsula Albatross Center

its raining.

the best roadtrip ever. ever.

Te Anau

exploring Te Anau