An early start for an excursion that’s going ahead! Not
cancelled due to the weather. We walked to Golden Bay (over a huge hill),
passing the only kiwi we have seen on this trip, a signpost to watch out for
kiwi! On an island where there are thousands and thousands more kiwi than
humans, we haven’t managed to see one. But hey, you can’t control the weather.
At Golden Bay, we got the water taxi to Ulva Island. Bill, our guide, and
islander since he was a small boy took us around the tracks of Ulva Island,
listening to the numerous birds.
Ulva Island is predator free, so the animals can just do
their thing, and humans are mere observers. We saw a sea lion on the beach, who
was incredibly territorial, so as it rushed towards us, we made a sharp exit.
We saw kaka, robin and tui. Alas, we heard more birds than we saw as Bill
guided us on a 3 hour walk through the native bush. Very few non native trees/
plants live on Ulva Island. Trouble was, we had a plant addict on the trip, so
we had more discussion on leaves than on wildlife.
Ulva Island has the most amazing beaches, golden sand and
crystal clear turquoise water. Whekker and it’s chicks were on the beach,
building it’s nest and moving around the sea debris. Back on Stewart Island,
lunch at the South Sea Hotel and then it was time to prepare for the catamaran.
For Ali, it meant a sea sickness tablet and one ear plug in her left ear, which
is supposed to ease sickness.
The journey through the Foveaux Strait is renowned to be
bad, and it lived up to it’s reputation. The catamaran didn’t go far before we
were rolling all over the place. I stood at the bar chatting to one of the crew
who took us on the marine cruise yesterday. Ali sat with one ear plug in,
watching the horizon. An elderly lady was prepared and she knew where she was
standing, she was head to toe in waterproofs, and stood at the back of the boat
for the entire journey. I watched her for a very long time, getting covered in
waves. We were rolling in every which direction.
Reunited with the car, and on to Cosy Nook, a pretty little
cove and well needed toilet. However, it was a long drop that almost made me
throw up, the smell was like nothing I’ve smelled before and never wish to
again. Luckily, our B&B for the night is amazing! We have a separate
building, with fresh flowers, freshly baked biscuits, proper coffee, a belini
pan in the kitchen, our own picnic table, and a metal roll top bath outside,
including a moss bath mat and towel hooks. I couldn’t resist, I watched the
birds catching insects, as I laid in the bath, outside. Stepping out onto moss
was interesting.
A big travel day, with walking, a water taxi, a catamaran,
then the car…but ending up in a wonderful B&B with lovely hosts.
No comments:
Post a Comment