Hello everyone! Our apologies for the recent infrequent blogging. We've both been settling into new jobs and spending more time exploring Wellington and hanging out with the folks here so the traveling has been on hold.
But, just to keep things all warm and fuzzy for you, we've got these unpublished pics of Arthur's Pass from our past South Island adventures (back in December 2008). We drove back up the South Island on the west coast for awhile and then had to shoot back over to the east coast - which meant we had to cross over and through the Southern Alps and Arthur's Pass was a stop on that journey right in the middle of the Southern Alps.
Arthur's Pass is rumored to be one of the best day tramps in the country - although we were warned it was going to be pretty physical climbing. But the warnings were slightly soft as the climbing started immediately and held almost continuously for about 3 1/2 hours up. We climbed about 1200 meters straight up - alot of it literally using your hands to reach up to grab trees and rocks above you. It was alot like climbing a steep set of stairs with some parts filled with ladders. And the way down was only slightly less steep, so almost more dangerous :)
Lana would say that she would not recommend this trip to anyone - ever :) I would recommend
with good and sufficient cautions. But the view you receive as your reward for all that hard work is really tough to beat. The mountain tops are also the stomping grounds of the kea - a NZ bird kinda like a raptor (as you can tell by the serious beaks), but really really curious and unafraid birds. And birds used to getting fed by the trampers so they will come right up to you or buzz your tower some. The Kiwis would say they are cheeky birds :) Despite their sharp beak, they would very gently pick the food out of people's fingers. Lets just say they were a little more than Lana could warm up to . . . but they are cool looking birds :)
with good and sufficient cautions. But the view you receive as your reward for all that hard work is really tough to beat. The mountain tops are also the stomping grounds of the kea - a NZ bird kinda like a raptor (as you can tell by the serious beaks), but really really curious and unafraid birds. And birds used to getting fed by the trampers so they will come right up to you or buzz your tower some. The Kiwis would say they are cheeky birds :) Despite their sharp beak, they would very gently pick the food out of people's fingers. Lets just say they were a little more than Lana could warm up to . . . but they are cool looking birds :)
Best to everyone back home! Talk to you guys again soon!
