To do the whole Kepler Track would take several days (it's 40 something miles going up to alpine levels), so we were content with walking an hour and a half out (along the shores of Lake Te Anau) and then back.

The vegetation was dense, lush and very wet. From time to time, we would take the opportunity to follow a small side path to the water's edge.

Cleaning up after the pickles leaked. Hey, they said we couldn't smoke in the rental car, but they mentioned nothing about it smelling like pickels when we brought it back!

The Control Gates are used in the production of electricty, as water from Lake Te Anau is released into the Upper Waiau River.

Manual override

There were many possum traps along the trail.

The common brushtail possum (or paihamu in Maori) is a huge pest. It was brought over from Australia in the 1850's by European settlers wanting to establish a wild source of food and fur (for clothing). Unfortunately the possum population exploded (from no natural predators). They decimated the local ground bird populations and stripped the surrounding area of all foliage. By the 1980's, their numbers had reached an estimated 60-70 million. By 2009, through control measures, they were estimated at 30 million.

The location of each trap was indicated by a tag on a nearby tree.

Dark, cool and green!

I let Regan use my little camera and he quickly got addicted!

All shapes and colors of green

Moss and lichen covered literally everything!

Tree ferns

The top of a lancewood, showing both types of leaves

Which way is up?!

Fantails continued to torment us. They are so hyper that this was the best shot I got... of its tail as it bounced away.

The lush environment was a haven for mushrooms of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Popping out to one of the beaches

In the distance are the peaks over which this trail continues.

A bit of loud merriment on the water, with water skiing and jet skis.

Once back in Te Anau, we checked into our accommodations, The Lakefront Backpackers. We had own charming little cottage, complete with bathroom, shower and a small refrigerator! What a luxury!

Our secluded dwelling

A view of the garden and our own personal cabbage tree

After resting for a bit, we walked into town to pick up a couple more pies for dinner.

On the way, we passed by this glass church!

So... glass houses, throwing stones, he who casts the first stone....?

Stop! Wait! You're going the.... oh, never mind.

Kinda creepy and fun at the same time

We finished up the day by watching the sun set over the lake.

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