26.1.2018: Just do nothing for a change

Today, I deliberately didn't plan anything to gather my strength for the multi-day hike starting tomorrow. But I'm not completely idle.

First, I drive my roommate Arthur to the downtown harbor, where his water taxi starts at noon. Then I go to the Fresh Choice Supermarket to stock up on hiking provisions. Since I didn't find everything, I quickly stop by the opposite Four Square afterwards.

Then I drive to the Tombstone Backpackers, which I booked a long time ago, and I'm even allowed to check in a little earlier. The booking documents for the Queen Charlotte Track are already waiting for me. For lunch, I only have melon and a few grapes. The rest goes into my Tupperware for tomorrow's hike.

I can't really pack both backpacks yet because I still need everything that should go underneath in the evening. Luckily, luggage transfer is included in the price, which means I only have to carry a small backpack with provisions for the day and stow food, spare clothes, and toiletries in the big one, which will be transported from one accommodation to the next by water taxi.

Afterwards, I take care of all my bookings in earthquake-hit Kaikoura, which was hit hard last November. Since Christmas 2017, the highway between Picton and Kaikoura has fortunately been reopened after relentless construction work, but it is still closed at night for safety reasons. The small fishing village of Kaikoura attracts a lot of visitors due to its whale watching tours as well as swimming with dolphins or seals, and it is undoubtedly on the list of every New Zealand traveler. Accommodations and water activities are often booked out a week in advance, and I'm happy that the first accommodation I call has availability for me, as well as both tours that I'm keenly interested in having capacity at my preferred time.

In the evening, the only thing left to do is to pre-cook lunch for tomorrow (I wonder if chili con carne was a good idea?!) and go to bed early.