January 24 - Day 16

Today we actually got to sleep in! Of course, we didn’t. We’ve been awake by 5:30 or 6 most mornings and today wasn’t an exception. But we had a leisurely start and headed out for a short walk before breakfast. Breakfast was the hotel buffet and I stuck to yogurt and coffee. 

After breakfast, we were given a box lunch to eat later in the day. We then all headed over to the Kingsgate Hotel for a conservation lecture. It was interesting but not much new information from what we’ve already heard. Undoubtedly, I have learned a lot about the wildlife in New Zealand and how much work is being done to save the birds from extinction. 

We had some free time before our next event. Matt and I headed out and walked a few miles along Lake Te Anau. It was a cloudy morning but not raining and pretty nice. I actually took my jacket off. We returned from our walk and ate a little lunch in our room.

We headed down to the jetty at 1:45 to meet the group for our Te Anau Glow Worm Tour. The wind has picked up ferociously but it is still not raining. But it is cold! We boarded the boat that would take us to the cave. It was a nice ride but the water was very rough. I went up top to keep myself from getting sick. 

After arriving at the cave, we were given an orientation and then taken in groups of 12 to a small boat. The boat took us through a pitch dark cave where we could see all the glow worms on the ceiling. It was really amazing and special to see. These worms only exist in Australia and New Zealand. And the water thundering through this cave was also very special to see. We had to be absolutely quiet in the grotto where the boat floated in total darkness. After about 20 minutes, the boat took us out of the cave. Really cool.

We boarded the boat to return to Te Anau and it was even windier and colder, but still no rain. Several of us rode on the top deck in the crazy wind. Lots of fun. I’m really enjoying most of the women on this tour. 

We rested a bit in our room after we returned. We headed back to Kingsgate Hotel for drinks and a review of our trip. Everyone shared ideas, what they loved and what they didn’t love so much. Afterward, we all had a buffet dinner at the hotel. It was very good and I ate too much. 

Now back at our room. Matt and I will be leaving at 5;30 am in the morning for Queenstown, ahead of the rest of the group. When I booked our flights, I failed to realize that there was a two hour drive from Te Anau to Queenstown that Road Scholar was providing. The problem for us is that you couldn’t book your flight before noon. Our flight is leaving at 9:20 am so we had to find our own transportation. I did find a private shuttle but it is costing us $360 USD. Ouch. 

I’m glad I got to visit and glad I get to leave. Too much gray, rain and cold here for me. It is beautiful but not my idea of a summer vacation. And that is the truth. 

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