New Zealand 74 Nonchalant

 This thing shot flames 3 feet into the air without even being turned up to high; she literally smoked us out of there. She had some sort of pathetic aluminum shade which she placed around the cooker as a "screen". Yeah, okay, it didn't really screen much of anything. They were so nonchalant about the whole incident (they nearly burned down this hut made entirely of very old wood; it would have incinerated in minutes upon contact) that we all just looked at each other and had a good laugh.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 73 Flames shooting to the ceiling

 We jumped up in a panic just as the fire alarms (all of them) began to go off. The kitchen was completely filled with smoke and the guys were running around opening doors and windows trying to clear the air. Once the smoke was under control the alarms stopped their incessant bleating and we were able to determine what had happened. The girl was trying to use what she called a "gas cooker" and what Matt and I call a blow torch.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 72 Whoooooosh

 I was so impressed; I could hardly believe they had actually walked all that way (20+km) with the tremendously heavy packs they were carrying. This young couple from Holland was such a trip; I turned out to be so glad they showed up. About 5 minutes after they arrived, the girl began to make dinner.

Matt and I continued to play cards, not really paying attention, until whoooooosh!, we turned around and there were flames shooting all the way to the (entirely wood) ceiling.

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued) 

New Zealand 71 They were so weary

 It was a very romantic setting and I was thrilled when the ranger showed up around 6pm to let us know that only one other couple was booked for the night and they weren't there yet.... ...Matt and I ate quickly and began playing cards in front of the fire by candlelight when the other couple literally drug themselves in around half 7. They were so weary; apparently they walked all the way from Bark Bay but had to wait until 3pm for low tide at Awaroa (the crossing we had made this morning).

Matt and Cynthia (to be continued)