Hike & Drive

Sharplin Falls Walk

Part of it was closed but we did walk until it was marked for closed. Dina's Fitbit said we walked 4,000 steps & 20 floors. 

Here's some pics from the hike. Very green, kind of rain forest like. 

Pretty cool bridge

We had our walking sticks- good thing as there were lots of stairs (without rails).

Lots of mossy trees. Some trees had black moss & the bees were attracted to these hair-like fibers sticking out with sap or nectar on it. 

These were the only steps that had railings.

Selfie!

End of the trail. 

Now back down....I forgot my selfie stick, but I was able to get a couple with all 4 of us. 

While walking down the trail, Dina was telling us great stories and I happened to look down & see a green stone. Maybe someone had dropped it at one time, but I found it. It's jade. 

Already with a hole in it for a necklace or bracelet.

The Maori people would've said that New Zealand gave me this stone. It's also a rule to put it in water, near the river or body of water where found and say a prayer or think good thoughts while emerged. Sort of a blessing for you & the stone that you will wear from here on out.

Once that was done, we headed back across the bridge and back to the beginning of the trail. 

Lots of laughs & good times here. 

On the way back we stopped at a coffee shop. It's Good Friday so we were surprised they were open. We had coffee & a muffin or snack. 

Also since it's Good Friday, no alcohol can be purchased. 

Charlie & Dina assure us we have enough wine for tonight. :)

Stopped at Rakaia Gorge

After this, we went up this off-road trek up this mountainside of Mt. Hutt. 

It's where the people around here go snow skiing. It's a long road up just to go skiing! It was really foggy, so we didn't get to see this great view they were raving about. This is what we saw:

Here's another further up the mountain - all fog.

I think there's mountains out there. Or the mountain we were on is supposed to be cool. We said we'd take their word for it that it was a great sight to see.

We did see Rocky. 

This rock fell into someone's living room during the Christchurch earthquake and he sold it. The person who bought it brought it up to this mountain. 

Also saw little mini succulents. 

Here's a great view by Bill Irwin, local NZ Photographer. Check out his site. 

We've been having a great time. Lot's of laughs, lots of silliness. Not sure if it's the altitude or the latitude, since we are below the equator. Not sure how that works.


We went to the local grocery store in Methven and saw some interesting and different food items. Check it out:

Now we're back at Charlie & Dina's. Charlie's smoking some meat in his BBQ. 

Thanks again for a great dinner & great conversation.

Tomorrow we go back to Christchurch to jump on the TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth.
Gotta go visit - catch ya'll later.

-AI