Stewart Island

We took the ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island today for a three night stay here. Stewart Island is south of the southern tip of New Zealand's south island, known for it's beautiful lighting and bird life... it is considered to be the best opportunity to see a Kiwi bird in it's natural habitat.

We were picked up at the ferry and taken to our lodging maybe a hundred yards from a beautiful beach on Half Moon Bay, deep in the lush vegetation that covers most of the island. The woman who picked us up showed us our accommodation and the facilities available, etc., and then told us she'd leave us the 4-wheel drive vehicle she picked us up in to use while we were here. We hadn't understood that the accommodation included a vehicle, but didn't argue. Then she said that there was no staff or anybody on site and gave us a number to call her if we needed anything. There's a family of five staying here too as well as a couple from the Netherlands... everybody gets a car or Jeep or whatever... funky older vehicles that you don't mind using to get around this tiny island with only a few narrow roads. No talk of being a licensed driver or insurance or anything, just 'Here's the keys to our car, have a good time... call if you need anything.' Ah, laid back island life!

We took 'our car' to the grocery store first thing since there are not really regular hours for the store... the open hours are posted on a sheet of paper for the next few days, subject to change. We subsequently learned that the locals sort of share cars... if you see the car of someone you know say, when you get back on the ferry, and the keys are in it, you just 'borrow' it to get home and then return it to somewhere near where you found it as soon as you can.

We had a really great meal one evening at the Church Hill Cafe with a view of Half Moon Bay. Like on the mainland, everyone is very friendly and you feel like you are eating at someone's house, with people from the various tables talking together so that it feels like family by the time dessert is served.

Getting some gas in your car is a process!

And if you need help, there's always a nearby tree phone...