Memories of Monowai

Our new found friends, Desley & Tama, invited us to spend the holidays with them at their holiday home, or crib as the locals say, in a town called Monowai, near Fiordland National Park. Definitely off the beaten path, or in Deliverance Country, as Tama calls it, the crib in Monowai fronts on a small lagoon that’s part of Lake Monowai. We were fortunate enough to spend the holidays with loved ones and enjoyed an amazing Christmas feast of lamb roast, pork roast, chicken, potato salad, slaw, stuffing, and veggies, and (amongst others) a traditional kiwi dessert, pavlova, an egg white and sugar whipped cake of deliciousness. The next day, we began our trek called the HumpRidge Track. Kent, Desley, and I set off on a rainy cold morning to climb 900 meters to the first hut. We walked for 7 hours on the beach and through the beautiful wet moss- covered rainforests. It was a 19 mile trek that day, and all the uphill was after lunch, so we were dead tired by the time we reached the hut. The 2nd day was not much easier, although it was downhill, because it was just as steep. We finished the 55km trek in three days of walking. It was beautiful and rewarding, but when we finished, it would have been heavenly to have a spa or a masseuse waiting!! I really give props to Desley, who discovered she had been sold 2 different sized boots after 2 days of walking. That would explain the foot pain!!
New Years Eve in Monowai was another great time. Along with about 20 others, a bonfire was made. It was a chilly night, but the fire was toasty. It was a blue moon, and very windy. The wind was a bit scary when it was making the huge bonfire blow completely sideways, but everything was ok in the end, most likely thanks to the rainfall the day before. Beers, cheers, and loved ones made it a memorable way to ring in 2010.
Eventually, it was time to make our departure to explore the rest of the South Island. We packed up and loaded the van for more adventures.