Insects - the most populous animal species

And they all seem to be here on the west coast of NZ!  In fact one major type - the sand fly.  There are thousands of them and they are very aggravating and have rather curtailed our activities in the last 24 hours despite application of vast quantities of insect repellent.

We set off from Queenstown yesterday morning for the west coast via the Haast Pass which is the main route across the southern end of the Southern Alps to the west coast.  So we were expecting some fantastic views.  We only had time for a picnic lunch on Lake Wanaka and it was tempting to stay there all day.

But we forced ourselves to move via Lake Hawea, another delightful spot.

 

To the Haast Pass and attendant glacial river.

 

 

Once this became navigable it was just asking to be swum in so Nikki obliged and this is where the insect problem started to manifest itself.  Although the water was icy the biting bugs were more uncomfortable so entry into the water was hasty, a quick wallow round admiring the view in the distance to Mt Hooker then an equally swift exit involving a sprint back to the safety of the camper van.

 

There then followed a couple of hours indecision about where to stay for the night.  We found several lovely wilderness spots, but all infested with insects.  Eventually we realised that we were going to have to live with them and chose this beach.  After a quick photo shoot it was into the van and batten down the hatches for the night.

 



Breakfast the following morning took place entirely inside despite the Tasman Sea almost lapping at the camper steps.  Colin served up venison sausage butties - delicious.  Apart from lamb and dairy products, NZ also exports venison and we have passed many herds of deer obviously being farmed for commercial purposes. Why don't we do it in the UK? Are we too sentimental? 

 

After breakfast we set off down a dead end road to Jackson Bay, a small fishing bay 25 miles from the nearest habitation, tempted by the Lonely Planet Guide's description of the Cray Pot restaurant and its fresh fish.

 

We had to investigate this signpost en route  though and found another lovely deserted beach.  Again plagued by bugs so just time for the photo shoot.

 

 

Having arrived at Jackson Bay too early for lunch we applied repellent liberally and went for a walk to Ocean Beach where there have been reports of crested Fiordland penguins nesting. Sadly none sighted but this time the water was just too tempting and Colin abandoned Nikki with towel and camera and headed back to the Cray Pot.  Having finally "conquered" the Tasman Sea Nikki joined him for a highly recommended lunch.  Fish chowder and a mixed fish platter, although judging by our neighbours' plates fish and chips and lobster tail looked equally tasty. 

 

 

 

As there was little else to do in Jackson Bay we decided to head up the coast towards the glaciers (Colin's planning spreadsheet almost completely out the window now!), arriving at the village of Fox Glacier in time to find a bug free Top 10 site with all mod cons.