Wow, a month has passed.
Honestly, I feel like I’ve gained experience that would have taken me much longer to accumulate in my normal routine. Every day is different and varied, and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction.
The many experiences make the time in India suddenly feel so far away, even though I was there until two weeks ago.
Now, a month after leaving Israel, I’m in for a few days of real relaxation and rest in Wanaka. It suits me very well, and I’ll have to remind myself throughout the rest of the trip that it’s also important to take a moment to stop and rest in the middle of a trip that can sometimes be very exhausting and busy.
The past week has been full of amazing views and unforgettable hikes.
It started with a day trip to Brewster Cabin, where despite the heavy fog on the mountain, I really enjoyed the climb through the peaceful forest, which was full of moss-covered trees and birds chirping from every corner.
The weather wasn’t always perfect and it taught me not to fight it but to accept it and wait for the sun to peek through the clouds.
From Makarora I drove to the Matokeetuki Valley, which was truly sweet (Matok is sweet in Hebrew). One of the gems so far. (Thanks to Paz HaMatok for the tips)
The terrible road to the valley made 30 kilometers an exhausting two-hour drive, at the end of which I arrived at the parking lot at the beginning of the route. I planned to have a full day of walking, so I got up early in the morning and set off.
The first route of the day was the Rubroi which was very impressive and the early hour I set out earned me the honor of opening the route and being the first to say good morning to the birds, waterfalls and glaciers.
I returned to the car for a lunch break and a short rest, and from there I set off towards the Liverpool Hut. On the advice of the lovely Italian I met in the morning, I decided to do the first part to the Aspiring Hut using my trusty bike (their name and the name of my wonderful vehicle were finally decided later in the day). I thanked the Italian profusely, thanks to whom every descent was a pleasure and every expression on the traveler’s face along the way was full of envy.
On the way, after my shirt was already soaked in sweat, I stopped to refresh myself at a location that does not shame the concept of paradise. Ice water, really ice, instantly lowered my body temperature from “I’m very hot” to “slight hypothermia.” There was a moment there that I would really like to remember - the flute, the banana, the blue stream and the snowy peaks simply made it perfect.
On the way to the hut, I climbed a mountain with an almost vertical slope and you just wish you could finally see the hut. (The person who planned the route has a wonderful sense of humor and chose to place the hut in a location that after the climb you look down on.) At the hut, all the “warriors” who have finished the grueling climb and just want a massage and a cup of hot chocolate meet. The view from the hut is worth every meter of the thousand we climbed and includes a snowy peak in every direction you look.
The warriors’ rest at Liverpool Hut
The cabin also had its first close encounter with a very smart and brave bird - the Kia. The Kia is a unique African grey parrot and is endowed with classic Israeli impudence, which is expressed in pecking at every good piece and throwing diarrhea on the poor travelers (true story). The Kias certainly put on a show and passed the time until the crazy sunset at the cabin.
When I left the Matokeetoki Valley, I went to Wanaka’s Zola to relax and here I am now, working back lost calories and completing piano and guitar playing, to be honest, I missed it a lot. Yesterday we also went on the Zola’s expedition to cross the river, a crossing that was absolutely legendary. Cat and I shared the flat-bottomed rubber boat and despite the extensive maintenance work that was required during the crossing, it carried us with great success.
Good morning, after trying countless names, I found the one, the correct and accurate name for my cute car - Apa!
The car is named after Ang’s bison - the last breath of air. A large, quiet white bison that carries passengers as faithfully and peacefully as my Nissan Serena. (Karma gave its approval after I met an Israeli couple who told me that their friend had the same vehicle and had named it Apa as well - a huge coincidence.) Hence, it was necessary to name my bike Momo after Ang’s small and agile monkey.
Appa and Momo, quality time