11.2.08 12pm- Te Anau Downs

After doing a bit of writing yesterday morning at the campgrounds, we had our oat/cornflake/nut delight then called Jude at the Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers. Seth had been in contact with her for several weeks about working at the backpackers in exchange for three nights’ accommodation. Similar to Shambhala, they gave our positions to other people and would not let us work at all to help reduce the cost of two dorm beds. I guess with many places here in NZ, backpackers and travellers are so numerous it is no skin off their back to treat them poorly or go back on their promises, especially if the travellers have less money to fork over. Most backpackers here seem eager to work, probably because it is so expensive to travel for extended amounts of time.

We tried ringing one other place that had a 0 800 number so we would not have to pay several dollars to make a call. It was called Fiordland National Park Lodge, in Te Anau Downs, about 28k north of Te Anau. Just as easily as the Lakefront Backpackers let us down, the Lodge had work available for us. One thing I found is that when some people screw you over, such as Omega Car Rentals, Shambhala, and Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers, others are just as willing to help, like the woman at Avis and the people at the Lodge.

We stocked up at a grocery store, then drove right down south from Wanaka, taking the Crown Range Road via Cardrona (very narrow and windy yet with beautiful overlooks of the hills and ranges). We bypassed Queenstown (I am sure it is lovely, but I don’t really care for the ‘wild-man’ packed adrenaline-seeking city), and continued south before shooting off west, for Fiordland. We hit Te Anau then drove north to Te Anau Downs, eventually getting to Fiordland National Park Lodge.
The lodge is a somewhat larger hotel/motel/backpackers, right on Lake Te Anau, and caters for all types, from people just coming off the 60km Milford Track to retired couples lounging around the restaurant bar sipping wine. The manager, Sharon, checked us in and let us have the evening off. Our dorm was obviously once a hotel room that was overcrowded with a bunk and two beds, and even included a bathroom (en suite). We shared it with an Australian and a Kiwi (we have hardly met any other Aussies or Kiwis in any other backpackers—most people have been European, particularly Germans, and a few North Americans).

The lodge has a beautiful overlook of Lake Te Anau and the fiords. I really like it here and wish we could stay longer than 3 nights. Sharon even asked if we would be interested in permanent positions--I think they especially need workers here because it is in a location where people just pass through for one night on their way to Milford Sound (the only thing located at the end of the road going north), and probably wouldn’t think to stick around to work.
This morning I went running with Seth to the tiny Lake Mistletoe, then down a gravel road through bushland that eventually led to Eglinton River, which leads into Lake Te Anau. A bit boring, but not bad at all. I still feel really low energy, however, and it was hard to keep a good pace.
It is getting late already and I don’t think we will have much time to poke around before going to work at 6pm. We will be washing dishes tonight in the restaurant.