Eric’s hiking wisdom:
It doesn’t matter how small your steps are as long as you’re headed in the right direction.

Put THAT in a fortune cookie, eh?

My addition:
Tourists go to see, travelers go to seek.

-K

^ We picked up a dog at the trailhead. I named her Princess Diana. She followed us for at least a mile. I encouraged while Eric dissuaded the dog. Eventually I had to let him “do the right thing.”

^ Our hike was at the tip of the appropriately named Bay of Islands–one of the prettiest spots in all of NZ.

^ More trail views. Our destination is at the farrrrr far end there.


^ Eric drying out his tank top for the duration of our 10 minute MY-LEGS-HURT break.

^Our accommodation for the night. First ones to arrive meant first bunk pick. Woohoo!

^Hunger is the best sauce. Sambos at the hut. (Which is the old keeper’s quarters.)

^ We hiked back up to the lighthouse to catch the sunset.

^ Bunk matez. Lit by the full moon out the window + a rigged up flashlight for reading.