It was
rainy all day again. Not only here in Arthurs Pass, but it looked we're having
bad weather in the whole country and it was flooded in Rotorua, Coromandel
Peninsula of the north and Timaru of the south. Rivers in this area were
swollen and dangerous to walk across - had to stay here another night.
Searched
around bookshelves for something to read. Found very old tramping guidebooks
and journals, which could be found in a museum, in a box at the back of the
room. Enjoyed reading so much - even the ad on the magazine was very interesting.
Went to the cafe for lunch at 11:30,
earlier than yesterday, and was surprised they were nearly full already. Bought
some more food for a trip from tomorrow, too.
Rain temporarily stopped after
14:00 and walked to a waterfall called Devils Punchbowl, taking me about 1 hour
return. Bealey river that runs across the town raged. The waterfall was very
spectacle as it was swollen with massive of sprays that made the top part
hardly seen.
In the evening, played a game with a US guy Dale, who stayed here
3 nights with me, and a couple who arrived today. Went to bed at 23:00, hoping
the weather will improve tomorrow...
今日も一日雨が降り続けた。どうやらここアーサーズ・パスだけでなく全国的に大雨のようで、北島のロトルアやコロマンデル、南島のティマルなどで洪水になっているらしい。この辺りの川も軒並み増水し危なくて徒渉できないので、今日も同じ宿で連泊を余儀なくされた。
宿の本棚をあさっていたら、奥の方にしまわれていた箱の中に博物館で見かけるような古い山のガイドブックやジャーナルを見つけ、興味深く読む。掲載されている広告ですらとても面白い。
今日は早めの11:30にカフェに行き昼食を食べたが、すでにほとんどのテーブルが埋まっていて驚いた。ついでの明日からの山の食料の不足分も買い揃える。
14:00過ぎに一瞬雨がやんだので、近くのデビルズ・パンチボウルという滝へ往復1時間弱で行ってきた。町中を流れるビーリー川も荒れ狂っており、滝そのものも増水でしぶきが濛々と上がって、上部が霞んではっきり見えない程で迫力があった。
夜には、これで3泊一緒になったアメリカ人のデイルと、新たに到着したカップルと4人でゲームをして遊ぶ。明日からの天気の回復を祈りつつ23:00就寝。
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