the MILF ORD track

well, the track was great, but it's almost the same as the routeburn track, so i don't really get what the big fuss is about. after the track i did a cruise on the fiord, and that was the most expensive nap i have ever had, no doubt about it...

on the way to the milford sound, near the road there is a sign (which i did had the time to picture):

Next 100 Kilometers:
0 Doctors
0 Hospitals
1 Cemetery
Drive Carefully!

i found that amuzing...

-- and the pictures --

on the boat to the start of the track:

from the track itself:

a WEKA bird:

some more scenery:

helen, a scotish girl which brought a 6-pack of beer for a 4 days hike:

on the way back...

on the motel again:

kayaking in the doubtful sound (just south of the milford sound):

That's all for now...

Liron.

Cat-Diddly-Lins

just after a few days in the catalins now and arrived to te-anau, just before the Milford track.
(i intentionally ignore invercargill - were i spent a night before and after the catlins - because with a name like that and nothing to do - it deserves to be ignored).

not much to tell, area with great views, many wildlife and a hostel i was the only one attending (even the owner checked me in through the phone and asked me to leave the money on the bed)

i missed some of the places due to the tide, it still surprises me that there are places you can only go in specific hours, that change daily, because they are flooded on high tide...

-- straight to the pictures --

on the road:
the black sheep of the family:
a water-dog:
i had to post this:
wind beaten forest:
read yourself:
magnificent waves up 10 meters of cliffs!
the longest sea-weed i could imagine:
a real seal:
a more cooperating seal:
dumb goat:
on the way, i needed to stop aside and let some sheep pass:
so i waited:
and finally:
i know who will laugh at that...
cute yellow-eyed penguins:

that reminded me of a scene from an old game, can't remember which:
rock nuggets:
bored, really bored, waiting for low tide...
dogs, nothing much, just surrounded the car and didn't let me go. i think they have mistaken it for a sheep:
a sea lion, amazing beast:
a sea lion, just before it barks at me, and driving me away. weren't they supposed to roar?

Routeburn and Queenstown - Afterthoughts...

2 small things i wanted to add about last friday (the last day of the track and the way back to queenstown):

1. even if you think you are dehidreated - don't drink 3 liters just before a 4 hours bus drive. just don't.

2. the following conversation took place in a burger place (fergburger). we ordered some food for a SHABAT meal (we even did KIDDUSH on the hamburger - the one with cheese on...):

• Me: can i have some ketchup?
• Clerk: sure, how many?
• Me: 2 please.
• Clerk: There you Go
• Yoel: oh, can i have some ketchup too?
• Clerk: they are 50 cents each
• Me: ?
• Yoel (Trying to understand): but he just got two!
• Me: ?
• Clerk: well, he took them before i asked for money, so technically he stole them...
• Me (still standing right there!): ?!?
  Me and Yoel are searching for a dollar and giving it to her
• Clerk: is this for 2 new ones or the ones you already took?
  at that point we left, frusterated...

Catlins information will follow...

Routeburn Route, Burn, Route, Burn...

Well, i won't say much here. the only thing i must say is that it is more amazing then i could think. if someone would have showed me a picture of some of the views, with nothing but nature as far as you can see, i think i would be positive that he photoshoped the picture or something...

it was a 3 days track i did with two more israelis. 3 if you count an israeli girl which travelled alone and we met her in each hut. and it was raining through the start of the second day (HEAVY rain, they kid you not about those 4 seasons a day shit).

-- Pictures --

Noam, Me and Yoel, about an hour into the track:

kids who travelled with thier parents:

two aussi kids (the girl twisted her ankle a day later)

Seven Weeks (!) old israli boy, my parents never took ME to New Zealand when i was 7 weeks!

a magnificent view:

the rainbow just before the storm:

and in the path:

walking through a cloud (and looking down to it)

morning frost:

People taking pictures:

and finally, the warning on the toilet bin. i found the 3rd point as the best: