Mystical Creatures
Early February our adventure finally began and we picked the most incredible starting route we could think of – Sounds to Sounds!
Actually, it means Fjord to Fjord, a combination of stunning trails and pathways through the most breathtaking landscapes of the southern island of Kiwi Land.
We made two small but exciting adjustments: we decided to ride the route in reverse and chose a different starting point - Deep Cove Hostel. It’s the closest spot to Doubtful Sound you can reach with a fully packed bike.
The hostel and its surroundings feel like a Jurassic Park expedition hideout in the bush. It primarily serves school groups and outdoor education programs, offering a quiet retreat in mostly untouched wilderness.
Upon arrival at Deep Cove, we were greeted by the chant of a kea, a large, highly intelligent parrot native to the South Island of New Zealand. Known for its curiosity, playfulness, and habit of picking things apart, it reminded us to secure our bikes carefully!
To get there, we loaded our bikes onto a boat in Manapouri, glided through misty fjords and then enjoyed our first real climb - the Wilmot Pass. Impressiv peaks, dense rainforest, Fiordland’s deep silence, and the epic view of Helena Falls made it a magical ride.
With our jaws wide open, we tried to capture some of the beauty. Franzi in a poem and me mostly through the lens.
Voller Leben | Full OF LIFE
Saftiggrün und übertropfend
Hängt das lange feuchte Moos
An den alten starken Ästen
hundert Jahre groß
Herum die frischen jungen Farne
Die in alle Richtungen wachsen
Stolz und triumphierend
Voller Leben fast zerplatzen
Palmen schieben sich dazwischen
Wo das Wasser aus dem Berg sich
drückt, Rauscht und donnert es bei Regen
Schimmernd leise Licht durchblickt
Alles alles saftet
Voller Kraft und voller Leben
Und ich frag mich kurz wie‘s wär
würde es den Mensch nicht geben?
🌿
Lush and dripping
Hangs the long, damp moss
On the old, strong branches
A hundred years tall
Around it, fresh young ferns
Growing in all directions
Proud and triumphant
Almost bursting with life
Palms push in between
Where water seeps from the mountain
Roaring and thundering in the rain
Shimmering, soft light shines through
Everything, everything is oozing
Full of power and full of life
And I briefly wonder
What if humans didn’t exist?
