Okarito- hiking and kayaking

After breakfast which we had in the f group meeting room where Claire and Mel stayed, we drove to Okarito Lagood. We started with a hike on the Okarito Trig Walk. Another rainforest area. Many different ferns and mini red and blue mushrooms. (the blue one is on their money) We saw other unusual fungi called bubblegum fungi which does look like tiny pink piece of gum.










We hiked up to a viewing deck that provided spectacular views of all the surrounding peaks and the Franz Josef Glacier as well as the ocean in two directions. Group picture time.


Hiked back down and had lunch- New Zealand bacon and egg pie with salad. Delicious and different. After eating, we got ready for our first kayak adventure in the lagoon at high tide. It was beautiful to be on the water with the ocean behind us, the mountains on the other side. Two hours on the water. WE paddled back through a channel and the tannins in the water made it look like it was on fire.






Mel and Claire cooked roast leg of lamb for dinner with many sides plus a drak brownie with fresh berry sauce for dessert. Heli Hike onto the glacier tomorrow!

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