For our climbing pleasure, the Bay of Many Coves has been constructed on a steep slope with switchbacks. The photo below from the web site gives some idea of the vertical nature of the place. The suite we shared was elevated over 100 feet above sea level. We felt like we were living in an eight story walk-up. The situation was not ideal for average septuagenarians, but we had a good time anyway. Fortunately, a golf cart could negotiate the steep slopes and switchbacks. We utilized the cart about half the time, and our trekking poles for the rest. We renamed the resort the Cove of Many Falls.
Our youngster Sheree (10 years younger than the rest of us) took on the Ridge Loop which is 2.7 miles in length with an altitude of 1,200 feet.
For Bob and me, the highlight of our visit was an EcoTour by boat to the Montaura Island Scenic and Historic Reserve. During the ride and on the island, we saw innumerable birds, some quite rare. A variety of cormorant called the King Shag is found only in the Marlborough Sounds and numbers about 700 total - in the world. What follows are a few of the many pictures I took with my Sony camera and telescopic lens.
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| Spotted Shag, feeding her young |
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| Fluttering Shearwater |
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| South Island Saddleback |
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| Included in this photo is about 1% of the world King Shag population |
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