In another post I talked about expectations. One expectation I NEVER have, is that I'll be sleeping in a hut. This country is so blessed to HAVE so many huts! In Oz, few trails have well-maintained huts, or any huts at all.
If I get to a hut, and there's a spot free, fine. In fact, if there's only one spot free, I'll probably just move on anyway, and find somewhere to camp.
A few people in a hut? Great! Like-minded people to talk to, to share stories with. A full hut? Just feels like being in town...
And finding out about these out-of-the-way places is precisely why I'm here. Do I want to do the Great Walks? Sure. But I'm not so naive to believe that just because they're named that they're the best tramps in the country.
When I was in Vietnam, I went to Cat Ba Island, and really wanted to rent a kayak and just disappear into the myriad of islands for a few days. A couple of adventurous young lads - who had never kayaked before - wanted to join me, so despite EVERYONE saying it couldn't be done, I made it happen. (Didn't instill a great lot of confidence when one bloke fell out of his kayak whilst still alongside the wharf)!
But they soon got the hang of it, and we ended up having one of my all-time favourite adventures.
I want to do the same down in Fiordland. I've kayaked in Doubtful Sound, 10 years ago, when I did the overnight trip.
But I'd truly love to do a one or two week expedition, exploring the pristine waterways, camping along the shores, doing a bit of exploration on foot.
That's the sort of thing I'm up for. Many people frown upon the TAT, but for me, the reason I'm doing it, is to get a TASTE of what is on offer in NZ. Get a bit more experience in different areas. Then pick the parts I really like, and go back, get off the beaten track, and just go out into the bush and see what magic happens.
So, huts or no huts, tourists or no tourists, I'll still find plenty of ways to replenish the soul and connect with the land.
I think tourism in this country is amazing. It is handled SO much better than in the West Island! By all means, encourage others to come! I mean hey, I work IN the tourism industry. But yeah, I'm kind of up for a group of like-minded locals who want to share the juiciest bits amongst themselves. :)