Summary

The web content describes a morning routine and adventure of two campers, Anne Bonfert and David, as they wake up in the wilderness of New Zealand's West Coast, deal with sandflies, enjoy the natural scenery, and pack up their campsite.

Abstract

The narrative begins with the campers waking up to the serene sounds of nature, including a river and seagulls, after a cold night in their tent. They prepare for the day by applying insect repellent to protect against aggressive sandflies, which they learned are particularly attracted to dark colors and are most active during twilight hours. Despite the initial frustration with the insects, the pair enjoy their breakfast with a stunning view of the Matukituki River and the surrounding wilderness. They take care to leave no trace as they pack up their campsite, capturing the beauty of the landscape, including a giant mushroom growing on a tree. The story concludes with their return hike, encountering a curious tomtit bird, and reflecting on the peacefulness of having the wilderness to themselves before rejoining civilization.

Opinions

The author, Anne Bonfert, expresses a preference for being thoroughly prepared against insects, highlighting the importance of insect repellent, especially DEET, despite its potential health risks.
There is a humorous note on the irony of David, who usually doesn't use insect repellent, being more affected by the sandflies and eventually resorting to using the spray.
The author shows an appreciation for the natural environment, emphasizing the beauty of the campsite location and the importance of preserving it by leaving no trace.
The narrative conveys a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from the adventure, as well as the joy of experiencing nature undisturbed by other people.
The author's enthusiasm for sharing their travel experiences is evident, inviting readers to subscribe to their newsletter and follow their adventures through various platforms.

TRAVEL TALES. NEW ZEALAND.

Waking up to the Sounds of the Wilderness

And returning from an adventure in the beech forests

**Hiking out of our campsite. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

As the sun was rising on the horizon appearing behind the mountains, the first rays were warming up our tent. I was gently waking up to the lovely sound of the river flowing just meters from our tent while the cries of the seagulls were already filling the valley.

It had been a cold night and we know for certain now we need warmer sleeping bags but wearing all the clothes we had with us did allow us to get some decent sleep at least.

And now that the sun is up again, I can hear the buzzing outside and see the sandflies through the net. I won't get out of the tent before preparing myself.

I've always been a person who's blood was a favorite of mosquitoes. It doesn't matter if it were the German biting flies, the African malaria-carrying mosquitoes or the Thai insects. They all love my blood and therefore I've learned to protect myself over the years.

While DEET is definitely not the healthiest of all options, sometimes it's the only thing that helps me stay sane and not be covered from head to toe in bites.

Here on the West Coast of New Zealand is a different kind of fly on a mission ruining everyone's trips, or at least of those who aren't prepared. I had read about the flies and packed some insect repellent but didn't know yet how aggressive they are.

In other countries known as blackflies, the sandflies are most active in the twilight hours and live meters from flowing, not standing water like all other mozzies I know.

Also, they don’t seem to like me as much but David instead who usually walks around without any protection not receiving bites as long as I stay next to him. He would lecture me about how bad the spray is I would be applying and told me I shouldn’t bathe in it.

"Give me that spray of yours. These insects are eating me alive."

He said in a very annoyed and frustrated manner at the same time. I didn’t say much but expressed "this is why I always bathe in that stuff, now you know how annoying itchy bites are".

Mumbling a few more words he took the spray I handed him and applied it all over his body.

Doing some research after returning from this trip I learned why these flies spared me a bit more than the African ones and went for David instead. They love dark colors. For once, flies are not attracted to my always yellow and colorful clothes. Great.

Back to the story. Where were we? Still inside the tent, now both of us bathing in some insect repellent before opening the zip and climbing out of our little home in the wilderness.

Flies here or there, the view remains stunning.

**Having tea with a view. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

The one thing about the sandflies is that they don’t like movement. Once we were up and active preparing breakfast (and were covered in insect repellent), they mostly left us alone.

So there we were standing. Enjoying our coffee (David) or tea (me) with a view of the Matukituki River. Porridge was eaten in the same spot and once we were done with breakfast, I walked down to the river and did the dishes in the crystal clear water using sand instead of dishwashing liquid to clean the bowls.

**The last view of our camp before breaking it down. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Then it was time to pack up camp and load everything again into our backpacks. Taking down the tent is most efficiently done in teamwork and so we folded each sheet nicely before putting it into the cover.

**Taking down the tent as a team. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

And a few minutes later, everything was stowed away in our backpacks. Looking back at our campsite, I made sure we left nothing but some bent blades of grass.

**The only thing showing we had spent two nights here is the flat grass. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Did I mention the tree we were sleeping under yet? Look at that mushroom growing up in the canopy. And all the moss and ferns. On the tree. So beautiful, isn’t it?

**One giant mushroom growing in the tree among moss and ferns. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Eventually we were off again heading back to the suspension bridge. That one with clear instructions. And since we decided we count as 1,5 people due to our heavy backpacks, we walked across one after the other.

**A sign not to be misunderstood. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

On the other side of the river was a little bird sitting on a branch. Non-chalant and not shy at all. It appeared to be actually very curious about us strange visitors and closely watched our steps.

The tomtit is an Australasian robin endemic to the islands of New Zealand. Reminding me of our European great and blue tits, this little fella was a lot calmer and not in a rush to get anywhere.

**A tomtit. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

And two hours later we had crossed the farmlands again, walked along the Matukituki River out of the valley and balanced over the big suspension bridge leading us back to our car.

Only here and now we met up with civilization again as a group of hikers enters the valley. Good timing. We had the wilderness all to ourselves.

What an adventure and trip it has been.

**Looking up at the giant trees. |** Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

If you’re interested in my New Zealand adventures, subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated or check in on my new list regularly. Join my email list here if you would like to read more photo essays.