Lake Rotoroa is the largest of the two major lakes in the Nelson Lakes National Park. The other is Lake Rotoiti. In Maori roto means lake, iti means small, and roa means large (or long). So the English translations of their names are very literal descriptions of their size and shape.
Rotoroa is a long thin lake and it took us just over two hours to paddle most of its length (at our leisurely pace), and about twenty minute to cross its width to return along the other shoreline. The native bush here is untouched and the whole place feels unexplored and unspoilt. The water is so clear that watching the forest of underwater plant life drift by below (in the shallower water) is a sensation not unlike flying.
Only one thing could have made the day kayaking any better. A lot of insect repellent. We had to keep moving to avoid being devoured by hordes of ravenous sand-flys. The little bloodsuckers were everywhere and man were they hungry!
This place has a way clearing the mind. I feel like I've had a weekend now and am ready for the week. I took over 100 photos today... here are just a few of them.
 
 
btw... if you want desktop wallpaper, leave a comment and I'll email you a screen-sized copy of the picture you want. :]
9:30:35 PM 
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