Stewart Island Part III or Boy, are we slow bloggers

Alrighty then! Back to Stewart Island to get our trip back in order. As you will remember, we crashed in last night from our 3 day hike done in 1 day and had a good sleep. The next morning we decided to go easy with maybe just a walk out to the lighthouse and then a dinner at the Island's "Fancy" restaurant. We may have mentioned that this hotel was the old "bathrooms down the hall" style. Lynda headed out first. As I was leaving our room I saw her emerging from the restroom. Yes, you are correct. There was no heat in the "bathrooms down the hall". In fact, there was no fan but that was unnecessary because the window was always left partly open. Still, I thought Lynda was overdoing it a little bit, so I headed down to check the weather report for the day - they would post it on a big whiteboard each morning.

Hmmm. Seems there was going to be good reason for us to be wearing a little extra clothing all day, not just to the bathroom. Glad we hiked the Rakiura Track yesterday. So we did decide to head to Acker's Point, named after one of the early settlers. It is on the tip and was supposed to be a great view. Plus, we were still trying to see Kiwis and Penguins. Mom particularly wanted to see a penguin up close.

Before we left, we couldn't resist the urge to get in a quick game of chess (or possibly we just posed for pictures while pretending to move pieces). Well, we'll let you all figure that one out. But it does look like Mom may be winning, temporarily, hehehehe.

We did have a nice little hike. This one was about 3 hours return (round trip in NZ speak) and was on roads most of the way going around picturesque little bays. I did see the island's only golf course which had 6 holes. It was pretty however. The lighthouse point was beautiful although the lighthouse is no longer functionins and may, in fact, be the smallest lighthouse in the world. The weather wasn't as bad as advertised and there was even some sun. We had made a reservation at the Church Restaurant up on the hill, but were worried it might not open on Monday night. Not to worry! They opened just for us and it was really neat.

We arrived up there following the dress code (e.g., No gumboots) and knocked on the door. We were greeted by one of three local students working there that night. They actually have jobs, but they help out for free there just to get a free great dinner and to work with the great chef. And he was great. Our hostess was from Sweden or Norway, Mom will remind me, and then there was a guy from France and one from Slovenia you will meet later. The Chef was a Kiwi and he has been on TV cooking shows and the works. We ate in a small almost living room with a roaring fire and the mandatory huge cat curled up on the sofa next to it. We toasted with champagne and then checked out the menu. I went with the stone grill (seafood version) which was a selection of food served on a really hot stone rectangle. It was excellent. Lynda decided she just had to go with the Mutton Bird or Titi. In case you don't know, this is one of the interesting areas where political/philosophical leanings get a little confused. NZ is, in general, very green on environmental issues and pretty socially liberal. In other words, they would not stand for clubbing of baby seals - I don't think. But they will not only stand for but sanction the traditional harvest of baby Titi which are plucked directly from their nests when they are at their fattest and offer zero resistance to the hunters (gatherers?). It made really good sense in the old days when the Maoris down here had a hard time finding calories in any form and the really fatty baby birds got them through the winter. Now, well, they get to keep doing it. So, we decided to eat one. When we had asked people whether they were actually any good, we got uniform rave reviews. Although no one really seemed to remember when they ate their last one. So ... how was it, you ask. Best answer is ... it's probably an acquired taste.

Mutton Bird in Foreground

Stone Grill in Background

I love fatty food as you all know, and I have to admit this may have been even a little too fatty for me. But, now we have had Titi.

Near the end of dinner the chef asked if his helpers could come out and eat at a nearby table. We said of course. Not surprisingly we started talking to them and ended up staying at least an additional hour after we had finished. The Norwegian girl and French guy only stayed a little while, but the Slovenian and I had a good long (and civil) discussion covering many things in the world. And Mom and the Chef had an equally good conversation and probably steered well clear of controversial topics. But maybe not. You will get those stories in person. And then we said goodnight and headed down the hill to our little hotel. As we came out, the Southern Cross was right in front of us. We slept well for tomorrow morning our little student pilot takes us back over to the South Island and Invercargill where we plan to visit Bluff and have some of their famous oyster. Till then!