Stewart Island

Tara and I returned yesterday from a weekend trip to Stewart Island.  The day before we left was a rare day in which both flights and ferry passage to the island were halted due to over 110 kpm winds which also caused Invercargill's motorcycle race, The Munro Challenge, to be cancelled.


We were glad we flew, although the flight over had some stomach jolting dips.  Later we learned the ferry ride was delayed and left many passengers one plate shy of a buffet.  New Zealand has a number of endemic species. Islands offer some protection against predators.  Some of the islands, like Ulva Island , have been systematically rid of pest like rats.  The result is an environment full of indigenous and imported flora and birds of various colors, sizes and songs.

Stewart Island Lodge is a beautiful place to meet other travelers for "tea and nibbles", rest between trips and tramps, and eat a marvelous breakfast at the start of a new day.  Do not plan to sleep in as the Tuis start their three note melody an hour before dawn, and this time of year dawn is before six a.m.


I was able to see well enough to walk down the coast without a flashlight until ten p.m., but needed it continuously after "half ten" (a.k.a. ten-thirty).  I did not, however, spot a Kiwi or see the penguins come home to nest- perhaps next time.  Meanwhile, I am getting used to my Canon 550-D DSLR and have been able to take some distant and macro photos as well as video.  I recently added a 32 gigabyte SDHD card which allows me to capture 4000 high-resolution photos or hours of video (at least at the lower levels of resolution.  I just added a directional microphone and look forward to upcoming trips and and an eventual return to Stewart Island.


Only about 400 people inhabit Stewart Island.  Around 1985, New Zealand stopped funding public ferry service.  Thirty children attend the local school, but must leave the island for secondary education.  There are two churches- a shared Presbyterian church and an Anglican church.  Tara and I attended the Anglican service had the pleasure of meeting some members of the community.  Attendance was lighter than usual as Sir Elton John was in Dunedin for the weekend, drawing many to visit the south island.


The flight home was much smoother.  This week we will repack and prepare for our next weekend trip- to Milford Sound