Our day of wonderful adventure started with another yummy breakfast, but this time with an ocean view! We got fully loaded up on fuel and then got on our bus at 7:30. Our path took us clockwise around the edge of the island where we stopped off at the jet boat offices to fill out some paperwork before continuing on to the jetty.
After gearing up with life jackets and stashing some of our packs, we loaded onto two jet boats. We drifted for a little while as the captain gave us a great intro to a journey, and then we were off! At high speed we headed up river, making a couple stops in our 40 minute journey for Freddy, the captain, to tell us about life in the villages on the rivers. We learned lots and got amazing views of the truly epic landscapes. The sun was hot, but the breeze was powerful and we stayed cool.
We unloaded onto the shore at one of the villages and the captains took us up to chapel where we learned more about the village and how life works in the area. Next we walked the short distance to the main recreational center where we were greeted by 50 villagers.
Over the next hour we got to experience and take part in a dynamic, meaningful, and fun welcome ceremony. We drank more Cava, heard songs, and introduced ourselves. Next, we enjoyed a very tasty lunch of local foods and chatted more with our new friends. The socialization continued in earnest after lunch, and it all then transitioned into a truly magical sharing of dance. Everyone got involved and we had THE. BEST. TIME. All the kids were flying around, mixed together with our hosts, and all the music was being played and sung live!
It’s important to note that after only a few minutes after our arrival at the rec center, Wilson was passed around and got to share smiles with, essentially, all 50 of the people — kids and adults — that were part of the event. We met lots and lots of people, but Wilson met everyone!
The dancing wrapped up and one of the other guests gave a great goodbye message on our behalf. We then gave some gifts, said our goodbyes, and went back to the boats.
The trip back was direct, with no stop. At the dock Mrs. Seamon-Ingalls and Wilson got off, and we went back our so that the boat could do a series of 360 spins, soaking everyone in the process. It was SO. MUCH. FUN.
We got back to the dock fully exhilarated, dried off bit, some of the kids bought hard copies of photos, and then we got back on our bus. On the way home we stopped to load up on supplies at a grocery store and were back at Yatule by 3:30pm. We had a check in at 5 to go over the next day which will see our group split up for the first time — Half the group will get a fully and fun tour of the area, and the other half will go scuba diving with me. The kids then got the rest of the evening to relax before dinner.
As today is Mrs. Seamon-Ingalls’ birthday, I took her and Wilson to a local fancy restaurant. Our walk home along the beach was capped off by hearing the gleeful voices of our kids in the common room at Yatule.
Super short hotel stays are always a little surreal. We were up at 5 and back in the same three vans by a little after 5:30am. The drive back to AKL was easy and the kids did so well getting through checking in, dropping off their bags, getting through security, and getting to our gate. We then had some time to relax before our flight took off for Fiji!
Once again Air New Zealand was amazing. Some kids slept but it seems like many of us stayed awake. A little under three hours later we touched down at NAN! I was able to immediately get in contact with our local guide, Fredi, who sent me great info on how to easily find him on the other side of customs. Everyone got through, we picked up our bags, were warmly welcomed by the local staff, then met Fredi who took us to our bus.
During the 45 minute drive to Yatule, Fredi told us a bit about what we were seeing along the drive — A Hindu temple, sugar cane farms, new building projects — as well as info about the history of Fiji. About 1km from the resort we swapped into a smaller van which could more easily navigate the roads, and moments later we got to Yatule!
We were once again enthusiastically welcomed by the staff. This time with music, juice, and more shell necklaces. Our bags soon followed and we went off to lunch at the resort. We packed in a ton of food and then the kids were given a couple hours of free time to swim, relax in the rooms, or read. I joined the fun in the warm ocean. Some rain rolled in which pushed us inside, but it quickly abated.
At 6pm we all gathered up for a Cava welcome ceremony which the whole group dove right into! Aster was named chief and Sako his assistant. There was lots of cheering, clapping, and smiles. We then spent another 45 minutes relaxing in the main area as the sun went down. Once it was a dark we were treated to a very energetic dance performance that included fire spinning and a celebration of our birthday people — Sako today and Mrs. Seamon-Ingalls tomorrow… well, and Alyssa, who also may have had her birthday today! The performance was capped off by spinning some wild huge circles of sparks on the beach!
We then transitions back into the dining area were we again had one long table. The meal was full of lively conversation and a huge amount of yummy food. Heavy rain came down for part of the meal, which gave the whole area a cozy atmosphere. The meal only came to an end when we all got to sing happy birthday to Sako and watch as he blew out the candles procured by Parker. Everyone was then sent off to get to sleep as quickly as possibly. That shouldn’t be too hard given the length of our day!
Tomorrow we’re off to ride jet boats and see the interior of the island! Woohoo!
Everything is relative, so waking up this morning at 5:30 in order for everyone to be ready for a 6:30 breakfast seemed normal? Kind of. By a little after 6:30 we were across the street having breakfast at the hotel restaurant, which was humming with lots of other people who were up early getting ready for their day. We packed in lots of fuel and by 7:30 we were all checked out and on the road for Wanaka.
The morning was damp and we had some rain, but by the time we got to Wanaka 90 minutes later we had partly cloudy skies and a cool breeze. The sky was clear and we could see across the lake and deep into the surrounding mountains. At the base of our track we found out that my assessment of the trail was a little off… Well, it was very well maintained, but it was lots of switchbacks. So, we dug in and were treated to better and better views as we climbed higher up the slopes.
We spread out on the trail with each group moving at their own pace. Some sheep and cows were nearby as we climbed, and by the time we turned around we could see for miles into the valley and over the town. The walk down was quick and everyone was a bit tired as we got back onto the bus and drove the short distance to downtown Wanaka.
Everyone then got 90 minutes to get lunch and also pick up something for dinner. The town was so much fun to explore. Lots of great shops and many food options, with stunning views everywhere. It’s quite a place! By 2pm we were all back on the bus and most of us slept on the 90 minute ride back to Queenstown where Bob dropped us off at the airport. After saying goodbye to Bob and Kate and enjoying a little more time in the sun, we checked in, cleared security for the 4th time, and relaxed at the gate before our flight.
Once again Air New Zealand was a smooth ride and we touched down in Auckland a little after 8pm where we were immediately greeted by our driver for the night and tomorrow morning, Abdul. Our bags promptly showed up and we only had a short walk to three waiting vans. We packed in and about 15 minutes later we arrived at our hotel. During the ride I chatted with Abdul who’s from Fiji and he gave me some tips and suggestions.
We had a quick group meeting before everyone was sent up to their rooms for the night. Check in happened at 10, and everyone was encouraged to get to sleep immediately. Tomorrow we’re up early to head to the airport… and fly off to Fiji!
Early mornings can be a little tough, but we did manage to get everyone up and out of the hotel by 6:15am this morning. There was a glitch in the morning breakfast pickup, which meant we had to make a quick stop about 90 minutes into our ride to Milford Sound to pick up food. Back on the road we kept meandering through epic farmland surrounded by towering mountains and rolling hills. The kids slept for most of the first half half of the 4-hour journey and a good portion of the second. As we expected, there was a little rain along the way. The last stretch was through narrow valleys, snaking roadways, and last through a 2km tunnel!
Lucky for us, the light rain was completely done by the time we pulled in front of the boar station. Milford Sound is really just a port and boat terminal, at the end of the Sound. We had a few minutes to get collected and then we board our boat with about 80 other people. About 20 minutes later we pulled out into the Sound for a two hour journey that too us to the edge of the Tasman sea and back!
Along the way we were treated to an absolutely stunning and surreal landscape. The mountains were steep, covered in lush green, and absolutely webbed with epic waterfalls that has been built up by a couple days of rain. We could go onto the upper decks of the boat to get super clear views and enjoy the sparkling fresh air. One of the crew was telling us all about what we were seeing, which added to the depth of the experience. On the way back in the boat crept close enough to a large waterfall for us to be splashed by spray. By that time we were getting some direct sun and the cool breeze complimented the warm rays.
Back at the port we had about 20 minutes to explore and relax. I took the opportunity to walk everyone out to the end of the rock wave break and take a group photo before we bussed up for the return journey. We once again got great views and the weather held. We made one short stop on the way back and ended up going directly to dinner in Queenstown. We devoured our pizza and burgers, as well as sundaes. Of note, tonight is was Bob the bus driver’s birthday! Wow!
After dinner most of the kids walked back to the hotel and a few came with me and Mrs. Seamon-Ingalls (and Wilson!) to a local shopping center. Back at the hotel we had a group meeting at 9 where we journaled and went over the plan for our next day. Tomorrow we hike in the morning and fly back to Aukland!
With no phones to coordinate initial wake ups, Mrs. Mish and I knocked on all the kids’ doors to rouse them at 7am. Shortly before the group met up in the nearby common room at 7:45, I walked around the outside deck and watched the sun begin the peak over the mountains. Wow. By 8am we were all digging into another yummy and very filling breakfast, with the stellar view of the lake and mountains behind and around us. I can see why the Lodge was the perfect place to base an adventure, as well as use as a way station in the wilderness.
Due to another round of nightly packing, the kids were able to smoothly load the bus and by 9am we were on the road. The first 30 minutes was back-tracking down the side of the lake, which was totally acceptable given the incredible landscape. Bob continued to give is pieces of info about what we were seeing, and kids moved in and out of sleep. Along our route we passed through gold rush towns, vineyards, and farmland. We stopped at a scenic overpass and then for a little while longer at a bungy jump station. Don’t worry, we didn’t jump! That being said, lots of the group were so up for it!
About 30 minutes later we made it to Arrowtown where we had lots of lunch choices and time to explore the quirky and fun town. Kids loaded up on food, snacks, and souvenirs and by 1:30 we were back on the bus. At around 2pm we pulled into Queenstown, aka the adventure capital of the world! We learned how you could do just about any sort of adventure activity in the area — from mountain biking, to jet boats, to shark boats (!! Look them up !!), skiiing, skydivng, and much more! We pulled up to the Gondola, Kate got our tickets, and then we made out way up in groups of 4 to the top where we got to soak in the panoramic view of the whole area!
After grouping up for photos we walked as a group to the top of the area, where the luge track began! The kids were then given 90 minutes to take their luge runs and explore, something they jumped at! Everyone had a blast zooming down the track and also browsing through the shop next to the restaurant. We had a check in at 4 and then the kids were then given 90 more minutes to play and explore. We gathering back up at 5:30 and most notably, several kids came back with many sheep-based items.
We had dinner in the Stratosphere Restaurant at the top of the Gondola! Not only was the view absolute perfection, the buffet was over the top on all levels. The kids gleefully dug in and ate themselves silly for a full 75 minutes. There was lots of high energy chatting, with things only slowing down for everyone to actually eat. Dessert was capped off by Steve’s birthday celebration, his second in two night!
We then made our way back down the Gondola and to the bus. Bob routed us through a new section of Queenstown for a mini tour on the way to our hotel, located only about 10 minutes away. With new roommate assignments, the kids were given 45 minutes to get settled before we had a group meeting at 8:30 where I went over info for the rest of the night and our plan for tomorrow. Mrs. Seamon-Ingalls then led the group through another journaling exercise and then everyone went up to their rooms.
Tomorrow morning we’re off at 6am to Milford Sound, located all the way out on the south west coast! We can’t wait!
It turns out that the phones in our rooms did have quite the capability to wake us up, so by shortly after 5:30am everyone was up and ready to face the day. Mostly. But, everyone did sleep well and by 6:15am we were back in the dining area devouring another round of breakfast at Pavilions. Since everyone had packed up the night before, we were able to easily check out and transfer all of our stuff to Bob’s bus which was waiting for us out on the street. By 7am we were on the road, headed south west.
Bob gave us some information as the sun rose and then most of us slept after taking in lots of the vast farmland and growing mountains. At around 9am we stopped to pick up our bag lunches and to stretch our legs and then back on the bus we continued SW, with Bob telling us more about our very impressive surroundings. We crossed rivers, drove along the edges of great lakes, and then turned north towards Aoraki/Mount Cook.
We arrived at the start of the track (hiking path) at Noon, a spot called White Horse Hill Campsite. We ate our lunches out on the grass in full view of the spanning mountains, snow, and glacier! The bright and warm weather had everyone in good spirits as we prepped to start our hike. At 1pm we set out on the trail, taking in the lush environment with every step. We walked through rough fields, across rushing glacial rivers, and on wooden pathways. The bright sun and clear skies gave us a great view of the mountains, and the cool breeze as well as spray from the rivers kept us refreshed.
We made it to the end of the 5km path where we were greeted by the sight of a glacial lake with small ice bergs, right underneath Aoraki. We could just make out the top of the epic mountain. The kids went down to the edge of the lake and others explored higher ground. We took a bunch of photos and then turned back to make the return trip. The weather held and the return trip went smoothly. By about 4pm we were back on the bus.
We were again treated to epic views on our 2 hour drive to the Lake Ohau lodge. We were also quite tired so many of us took the opportunity to sleep. At 6pm we rolled into the parking lot at the Lodge where the owner came on board to tell us about our accommodations as well as dinner. It turns out the lodge is a base for all sorts of travelers and adventurers. Mountain bikes are all over, and there is a big camp site area out back. The place is rustic but very well managed and comfortable.
At 7 we ate dinner in the lively dining hall. The food was delicious and the conversations in our group energetic. We were excited after a full day of sparkling activity. After downing salmon, venison, or in my case a very tasty tofu pesto and mushroom dish, the kids had a bit of free time before an optional gathering at 9:30 to gaze at the stars. Outside we enjoyed the night sky and each other’s company.
We covered lots of amazing ground and the group achieved new levels of cohesion. Success.
