Camping

We went camping for two nights in Fiordland on the north island. Specifically, we hiked up and down the Greenstone and Caples rivers, but mainly stuck to flat surfaces since it was the first time I’d been out with a full pack on my back.

Our first campsite was amongst a bunch of rabbit holes, so we spent the evening wandering around the meadow rabbit spotting. I admit that I was half-hoping that all of the rabbits would sense that I meant them no harm, and wouldn’t run away. Alas, I am not Dickon from The Secret Garden. The rabbits all ran for their lives as soon as we were within 20 feet. I blame Iain, who used to hunt.

We brought with us steak, packaged risotto, nuts, dried fruit, oatmeal, powdered milk, freeze dried veggies, and a small bottle of whiskey. The whiskey was gone by the first night, as was the steak. After it got dark out we brought our sleeping bags out on the grass so we could look at the stars. I’ve never lived anywhere that wasn’t near or in a city, so seeing stars in a pitch black sky is a real experience.

The next night we walked about 5 hours to a lake, which was awesome for swimming (although a bit mucky near the shore, which made getting in and out pretty gross). We were out of steak, booze, and there were no rabbits this time, so we had an early night and got back on the track early the next morning.

The worst thing about camping (besides no Law & Order: SVU) is the sand flies, which look like fruit flies (you’re the fruit) but bite like mosquitoes. We were covered head to toe in sunscreen and bug spray at all times. They don’t bother you while you’re walking (thank god) but as soon as you stop, they swarm.

On the third day we wandered out of the woods and to our car, where a 20 something guy asked us for a ride into town. We said sure - and immediately regretted it. He'd been camping for 4 days and had not taken advantage of the lovely lakes and rivers to bathe himself. He reeked -- it was like the Seinfeld episode where the valet stinks up Jerry's car so badly he has to leave it. Thankfully the ride to town was only about 15-20 minutes, so no permanent damage was done.