Penguins, sandflies & broken cameras

Trip Start Sep 01, 2008
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Trip End Mar 2009


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Where I stayed
brookvale motel
(Wanaka hotels)

Flag of New Zealand  , South Island,
Friday, October 10, 2008

Onwards via the only road on the west coast via Lake Matheson the mirror lake shown on every calendar & postcard. On & on to Monroe beach where Fiordland Penguins live. So do millions of sandflies - they are everywhere on the west coast & bite & leave very itchy pimples. In fact there is v little wildlife in NZ apart from sandflies!  We watched & waited & eventually were rewarded by the sight of a couple of penguins surfing the waves onto the beach where they shook themselves dry before hopping up the beach to the rocks, before being chased by 2 french tourists! The tide was coming in  & Paul & Guy didnt spot a large wave until it crashed into them - their waterproof trousers failed to keep them dry! and our camera drowned.

Onwards back over the mountains to the pretty town of Wanaka on a beautiful lake for a couple of days walking & admiring more scenery & yes the sun came out again for us. Sipping Champagne in the motel hot tub watching the sunset was delightful & then the owner told us we were in their private tub not the one for guests!
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