Monday, December 29, 2008








Horse back ride/ hiking plans for the 27th changed... in an awesome way. Jesse and I joined a helicopter tour of Milford Sound. AMAZING. We circled the sound and stopped in for a quick walk. Then we touched down on a beach to collect egg-like rocks. Onward to fly by glaciers and stop to play in the snow for a minute or two.
Our final stop was at a hut called 16 Mile. Wes Drew & Dan met us out there for a night of camping. Dan cooked us a great dinner and we played some cards (while drinking a few beers). A possum hazed us in the middle of the night and left some droppings right by the window I was sleeping next to.

On the 28th we hiked out along the amazing glacial carved river. About half way back to the Branches Station we picked up some kayaks. The float down the river back to the station was unreal. Followed by a hot tub and dinner with the Lipners.
29th we flew out of the Branches to Queenstown. Spent the night @ Mt Chrichton with sheep covered hillsides and glacial mountains in the background. Unreal landscape and great company with the Lipners.

Planning to spend NYE in Queenstown - and there will be fireworks at midnight. My favorite!!

Still working on the photo situation. Stay posted!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Day 1...2...3!







We made it to Queenstown on December 26th! (after departing SFO on the 24th.) The longest day of travel I have ever known spanned three calendar days. And the one day that was lost = Christmas. Strange but so worth it.
Flights from SFO - LAX - Fiji - Aukland - Queenstown... then the best leg of the journey was our pick up from QZN. Helicopter with Santa (aka: Dan) took us out to the Lipner's place. The other way to get out here is via a sketchy road - looks scary. I will try to post pictures later today, having a little trouble on this computer right now.

The Lipner's welcome was amazing. We sat around, drank a few beers, took a well needed shower, shot some clay pigeons, ate a delicious meal and got a wonderful night's sleep. I could not have imagined a better first day to this adventure.

Today we might go for a horseback ride, a hike & enjoy more of this beautiful country!