Today was my first full day in Te Anau and very likely not my last. I don't know exactly how long I'll be here, but will decide that as I go along. All my great hikes are happening in the next three towns I’m staying in, and several of them occur here in Te Anau. Rain is coming in tonight, so tomorrow may be shot. But apparently it clears up on Saturday. What I saw showed Sunday. We’ll see. Weather changes quickly here so I'm told not to lean too heavily on the forecasts. I need to get caught up on things, so will use the rain day to do so.
I ran into a someone in a little shop here in town today that was talking with a clerk there. Not sure how we got on the subject, but this local expert gave me hiking recommendations which were very helpful. The internationally-renowned hikes in this area have filled up with the Milford Track booked solid for the rest of the year. With this guy’s leads I can experience the best of the hikes without needing to wait for an opening – which wouldn’t happen this season anyway. Instead, I can do day hikes, get the views, get in a larger variety of hikes, and not have to worry about booking or not being able to book a hike. I'll start those when the weather gets nice in a few days.
I walked for about two hours this morning, then again right before dinner. I may have walked 10 miles today. I think I’m putting in at least 5 a day, with most days being closer to maybe 8 or more. Good walking out here. I walked some more after dinner at dusk. I feel very safe here. I walked down a path, across a school field and along the lake for a bit. Towards the end I was just about needing light, though some street lights helped with that as did the full moon.
It got me thinking. It was safe in Dubai, and it’s safe here in NZ. I feel like I can safely go anywhere I want not having to worry about safety as much as back home. I could walk along the lake, or cut over into a neighborhood if I wished. Anywhere, even after dark. It made me feel more free. It was nice.
I ran into a someone in a little shop here in town today that was talking with a clerk there. Not sure how we got on the subject, but this local expert gave me hiking recommendations which were very helpful. The internationally-renowned hikes in this area have filled up with the Milford Track booked solid for the rest of the year. With this guy’s leads I can experience the best of the hikes without needing to wait for an opening – which wouldn’t happen this season anyway. Instead, I can do day hikes, get the views, get in a larger variety of hikes, and not have to worry about booking or not being able to book a hike. I'll start those when the weather gets nice in a few days.
I walked for about two hours this morning, then again right before dinner. I may have walked 10 miles today. I think I’m putting in at least 5 a day, with most days being closer to maybe 8 or more. Good walking out here. I walked some more after dinner at dusk. I feel very safe here. I walked down a path, across a school field and along the lake for a bit. Towards the end I was just about needing light, though some street lights helped with that as did the full moon.
It got me thinking. It was safe in Dubai, and it’s safe here in NZ. I feel like I can safely go anywhere I want not having to worry about safety as much as back home. I could walk along the lake, or cut over into a neighborhood if I wished. Anywhere, even after dark. It made me feel more free. It was nice.