Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
12/13/10
I’d heard that the southern and western parts of the South Island have a lot of bugs. But nothing could have prepared me for these sandflies, the most relentless creatures I’ve ever experienced! Maori legend has it that upon looking at the beauty that is this part of New Zealand (the Fiordland), the goddess of the underworld feared that humans would not want to leave. In turn, she created the sandflies as a reminder of “our morality and a warning not to linger too long.” A view of the top of my tent the next morning (luckily they were on the outside!)…and the adorable buildings of our camp that made up for it:
The bugs did not stop too much of the fun though. We still visited a lighthouse with fantastic views of the sea:
Ate lunch on one of Lake Manapouri’s secluded beaches (where I somehow decided to swim in the freezing water):
And ate dinner in a completely breathtaking field with gorgeous views. Happy not to be in cook group (photo 1, working away), a few of us spelled out KIWI, the New Zealander’s beloved bird, fruit and nickname.
