New Zealand recap. Tranping. 3rd Trampers Hut
At the end of day one we came across hand carved signs telling us to be careful around sleeping baby seals in the rushes. A little raised plank walk way took us through the rushes and along the creek with geese and fluffy goslings. Across a small plank bridge over the creek and then the forest opened up to a flowered clearing with magical little houses. A huge tree trunk occupied the center. From which hung a flour sack swing. Each hut was made with love and care, whimsically using reclaimed archetechtural material like iron lace work. We had a relatively large hut that could sleep 8. Sherryn took a bunk and I took the loft. A pot bellied stove waited for us to stoke it up with the woods piled high outside the back door. I really loved this place and would have loved to have hung out longer. Next time.
High lights...
Penguins: Little Blue Penguins live under the houses or in penguin shelters attached to each of the huts. You can lift the lid quietly and peek in. A fluffy, fat and annoyed-looking penguie blinking, looked back at us. I was in love!
The best shower! Along the enormous tree trunk, they built a shower hut. Inside the spacious shower room, one wall was the well seasoned tree. the floor was embossed terracotta tiles that massaged my weary feet. The rain water tank above the tree trunk provided much of the water. The water was piping hot with good water pressure. I stood under the glorious flow staring up to the steam rising up through the huge gearwheels-turned-window vents.
Shower building from the outside:
A peek into the shower hut
Iron tub bath under the stars:
They have two open air baths in lovely enclosures. Both are antique claw foot tubs. One of them is surrounded by a huge hedge of roses and other flowers. You fill the tub and stoke a fire under it to heat. Lay the wood plank down, as not to singe your butt, and snuggle into a hot steaming bath under the starts. Oh it was divine! (next time I'll start it when we get there as it takes a while to heat up.)
The interior of the huts. Me on my loft!
Hated to leave this place - but we both got a wonderful night's sleep, drifting off to the smell of roses and a wood burning stove.
High lights...
Penguins: Little Blue Penguins live under the houses or in penguin shelters attached to each of the huts. You can lift the lid quietly and peek in. A fluffy, fat and annoyed-looking penguie blinking, looked back at us. I was in love!
The best shower! Along the enormous tree trunk, they built a shower hut. Inside the spacious shower room, one wall was the well seasoned tree. the floor was embossed terracotta tiles that massaged my weary feet. The rain water tank above the tree trunk provided much of the water. The water was piping hot with good water pressure. I stood under the glorious flow staring up to the steam rising up through the huge gearwheels-turned-window vents.
Shower building from the outside:
A peek into the shower hut
Iron tub bath under the stars:
They have two open air baths in lovely enclosures. Both are antique claw foot tubs. One of them is surrounded by a huge hedge of roses and other flowers. You fill the tub and stoke a fire under it to heat. Lay the wood plank down, as not to singe your butt, and snuggle into a hot steaming bath under the starts. Oh it was divine! (next time I'll start it when we get there as it takes a while to heat up.)
The interior of the huts. Me on my loft!
Hated to leave this place - but we both got a wonderful night's sleep, drifting off to the smell of roses and a wood burning stove.