Seal colony, winery and then the hike begins.

Early start and off to the Oahu Seal Colony. Mothers and their pups were on the rocks and there was a small tidal pool area where all the pups played and swam. Looked like a seal daycare area.







After this stop, back in the van and into wine country. We did have one road block.
WE stopped at the Forest Winery in the Marlborough region. Best known for Sauvignon Blanc. I usually like sweeter wines, but there were amazing. I am a convert. We had the full tasting experience- five different wines. The winery was started by a doctor 40 years ago. Mel set up an great lunch buffet for us.





We continued to Nelson Lake National Park. We left what we did not need in the van and put our our big packs. I have never hiked with such a large pack, but we needed to carry our sleeping bag, liners, clothes, toiletries, some of the food, rain gear. They were on frames and weighed about 40 pounds. It was un-seasonably warm. Off we started through the woods and up and over rocks, roots and lots of moss. The trails in NZ are not as well-groomed as in Switzerland. We had done a hut-to hut hike there, but still only carried our day packs. This was very different. I felt like I would tip over.
Not much time to take any pictures.  We hiked to the Lakehead Hut. Only water available. "Long drops" (outhouse). Used lamps and propane stoves. Mel cooked us a thai chicken noodle dish with veggies. Quite tasty. We learned all about the Tin-Tam Slam. Played "2 truths and a lie" to get to know each other better. Bunck-style dorm sleeping. 11 of us on the hike. 2 others did the kayak option. Early to bed. We were tired. Tomorrow we head to the Angelus Hut with a gain of over 3600 feet. It will be a big challenge with this big pack.




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