Greetings from Hokatiki
Greetings from Hokatiki (I think that is where we are). Everything is closed today because the date here is December 26, Boxing Day.
We had a nice Christmas in Okarito yesterday. Okarito has a population of 35 people. It is on the northwest coast of NZ and is kind of a rainy place. But anyway, when we arrived some people went kayaking while others of us settled into our "room." We had a little cottage reminiscent of Guerneville (Russian River). It was an interesting cottage because not only is it called the "Love Shack," apparently it is haunted by an old lady ghost. We didn't meet her, however.
Anyway, after spending Christmas Eve in the Love Shack, we woke up on Christmas morning and went for an excellent hike to, of course, Christmas Lookout. It was a fun hike with uphill in the forrest with tons of ferns. When we got to the Lookout, we had a good view of Franz Josef Glacier. We hiked down singing Christmas carols. Anyway, Doug and I tried but we couldn't figure out the twelve days of Christmas -- especially after we got past nine ladies dancing. After we hiked down, we got into the bus and went over to hike towards the glacier itself. It was really pretty amazing. We got close but did not go on the glacier, mostly because we did not have ice axes or crampons with us. Wow, what an incredible thing that galcier is!!!! It is really amazing that in Okarito the town looks out onto the ocean but also has the glacier in the background.
We returned to our accommodations and had turkeys with everyone. It was a delicious meal, especially as we were hungry from the hike.
Today we are going to some other destination and tomorrow we start a three day kayak trip.
Look forward to seeing you all in the new year and hope you have a nice Christmas today.
We had a nice Christmas in Okarito yesterday. Okarito has a population of 35 people. It is on the northwest coast of NZ and is kind of a rainy place. But anyway, when we arrived some people went kayaking while others of us settled into our "room." We had a little cottage reminiscent of Guerneville (Russian River). It was an interesting cottage because not only is it called the "Love Shack," apparently it is haunted by an old lady ghost. We didn't meet her, however.
Anyway, after spending Christmas Eve in the Love Shack, we woke up on Christmas morning and went for an excellent hike to, of course, Christmas Lookout. It was a fun hike with uphill in the forrest with tons of ferns. When we got to the Lookout, we had a good view of Franz Josef Glacier. We hiked down singing Christmas carols. Anyway, Doug and I tried but we couldn't figure out the twelve days of Christmas -- especially after we got past nine ladies dancing. After we hiked down, we got into the bus and went over to hike towards the glacier itself. It was really pretty amazing. We got close but did not go on the glacier, mostly because we did not have ice axes or crampons with us. Wow, what an incredible thing that galcier is!!!! It is really amazing that in Okarito the town looks out onto the ocean but also has the glacier in the background.
We returned to our accommodations and had turkeys with everyone. It was a delicious meal, especially as we were hungry from the hike.
Today we are going to some other destination and tomorrow we start a three day kayak trip.
Look forward to seeing you all in the new year and hope you have a nice Christmas today.
Comments
hey Heather- thanks for the card- what is your email and your mailing address? wanna send you a card. hope all is well.
xoJosh
Posted by: Josh Zinner | December 28, 2007 07:41 AM
Love shack, baby love shack. wow a 3 day kayak trip sounds intense; you're both going to come back with big muscles.
Posted by: Adam and Ian | December 29, 2007 08:51 AM
Where are the pictures?
Posted by: Mom | January 18, 2008 07:28 AM