Sunday 18th NovFlew out of Brisbane in a very packed plane into Christchurch arriving at 11.30pm there time. Straight to the YMCA (next to the Botanical Gardens in the city). Got told that the room we had the shower had broken so we got it for half price, it will get fixed the next day.
Monday 19th NovWe had a good breakfast at the café that adjoined the YMCA (strange bacon here – which I soon found out didn’t agree with me!). Soon found out that my pin of my ATM card I especially set up for the trip didn’t work. The Bank were not much help or the call centre. It was a beautiful clear day with about 20 degree’s and a cool breeze. We walked around the city, taking lots of photos of buildings and plants. Christchurch is not a very busy city, and not much for the tourist to do. We took the bus out to the Gondola (Cable Car) and up to view Banks Peninsula. Beautiful View over Lytelton Port and the surrounding Mountains. Had a rest stop at the top and something to drink at the café. Then back to the YMCA for a rest (lots of walking today!). It doesn’t get dark until 9.30pm here in summer, which really puts your body clock out. The YMCA is across the road from the Christchurch Arts Centre (150 year old Catholic Boys School- amazing architecture), with Theatre, Wool Craft, Wood Craft, Cellar, Sweet Shop and Restaurant (Le Café). We had a beautiful local produce meal of Lamb and Pork Belly, with some NZ Red Wine (1 Average, 1 Good).
Tuesday 20th NovWe thought we would go back to Le Café for breakfast, most amazing Rye Bread. A lot colder today and very windy, we had a quick walk into town for a camera part and back to the YMCA to pack our bags check out and walk the block to the bus stop, to go to the airport ($7NZ). A Bumpy trip to Queenstown but a very scenic one, with all the snow topped mountains. We got out to a beautiful day of 26 degrees but there was still snow of the caps of the surrounding mountains. We had organised a shuttle bus to the hotel, booked in to the St Moritz, and headed into town for a look around. Mikey was amazed at the change in the town since he was here 8 years ago. This is a great tourist town, lots of shopping. We had a great lunch at the Irish Pub (Pog Mahons) over looking Lake Watapitu (Everything is over looking the lake and the surrounding mountains in Q’town) We booked Milford Sound trip for the next day as the weather is meant to be good. Got some groceries for the week and headed back to the unit. Did some light reading and before we knew it was 8pm, headed back into town for some take away from the Chinese Chop Chop at the Sofitel. Then had dinner on the boardwalk at the lake and watched the sunset and felt the temperature drop. Walked to the Ice cream shop (Lick) for Mikey’s Daily dose of Ice cream. Then prepared for the next day.
Wednesday 21st NovEarly pick up Today at 7.15 for a Drive to the airport. We were bundled into 3 groups of 8, and allocated a little plane. It was beautiful weather when we left Queenstown, so we were hoping it would be the same at Milford Sound.
It was a awesome scenic 45 minute plane trip over the snow peaked mountains, about half way the cloud set in just below the caps.
We landed at Milford Sound Airport (it looked like a cab rank for little planes) on a quick bus ride to the Harbour, where we bordered the “Real Journey” Vessel.
They supplied a great breakfast on the top deck and off we went. There was probably about 100 people on board, but there were 3 levels, so it didn’t feel cramped. All the outside walls were glass, so everyone had a view. We journeyed down the middle of the Sound at a steady pace. Unfortunately it wasn’t the best day, quite overcast and cold.
We travelled down to the mouth of the Tasman Sea, then turned around for a closer look along the side, were we were treated to Seals and a rare view of a couple of Penguins.
Back to the Harbour, bus and then a great trip back on the plane under the clouds between the mountains, so we could see all the water falls and scenery.
We got dropped of back into town for lunch and Mikey had his KFC (yes he found one!) and ate in the park next door and feed the ducks.
We then walked up the hill to the Gondala Ride (Cable Car) for the Panoramic View and an Ice Cream for a couple of hours. Then back down to book tomorrows trip Jet Boating and Kayaking.
Back to the unit for a couple of hours RnR then out to Dinner at the Bombay Palace (the best service we have had so far this trip). Walked along the Shore until 9pm for Sunset.
Thursday 22nd NovEarly start again. Picked up from the hotel at 7.15am for our Kiwi tour guide Leigh, a real local larrikin! A beautiful drive to Glenorchy along the Lake for about 30 minutes. Then we got briefed and got changed into our very attractive ¾ body wet suits, and 2 fleecy jumpers, Rain jacket, Life jacket and booties. Felt very snug. We had a quick thrill ride up the Dart River (about 48klms) on the Jet boat, even with heated handrails!
The River is a whopping 6 degrees in Summer and back halfway along the River to our starting point for the Funyaks (blow up Kayaks).
We then pumped up the Funyaks and got our briefing on how to steer and Paddle. I went first up the back for steering and Mikey up the front - and quickly learnt that we have to communicate more! We stopped about halfway back and Mikey walked the Funyak upstream then we paddled up the chasm where the icy cold waters come down from the glacier.
Then paddled back the beach for a picnic lunch. Then Mikey and I changed over steering control. The scenery on the whole trip was wonderful, going down the middle of the snow capped mountains. The highlight of the Trip!!!
Back to the hotel for a Hot Bath (we don’t get them anymore back home, due to water restrictions!). Then walked into town for Dinner, this time at the Brittanica Inn ($80 for two meals and 3 drinks, still not impressed with the NZ Red Wine).
Friday 23rd NovDecided to have an easy day, as the weather was meant to be bad today. Hired a car about 10am and drove out to Arrowtown (30minute drive) an old Gold Mining town, very picturesque. Had a look around the shops and had a wonderful lunch at the New Orleans Hotel (where they had Cider on tap!).
Drove to “Mount Michaels” Winery (we just had too). Had 6 wines to sample, and purchased a bottle of red. We then drove a bit further to Cromwell and decided to hire the car again for tomorrow to see more, as the drive was just so pretty. So we turned around and stopped back into Gibbston Valley Wine and Cheesery. The Cheese was ok, but we gave the tasting amiss in the end due to lack of service and the tasting was $5 for only 4 wine tastings (refundable when purchasing 3 bottles) and the bottles started at $40 a bottle!!! A bit rich for us! Plus we where at our limit for liquor going home.
We had booked Dinner at 8pm at Surreal Restaurant which was wonderful – great Bloody Mary’s and Caramelized Pork Belly. The temperature dropped and the drizzle had set in for the night!
Saturday 24th NovJumped in the car and headed North past Arrowtown to Clyde, Alexandra then to Wanaka. It was a beautiful scenic drive, we understand why so many people hire a campervan to drive around the south Island of New Zealand. Ice topped peaks, and beautiful bright flowers alongside the roads. At Wanaka we stopped at the Puzzle World were Mikey get lost in the maze for an hour, while I solved puzzles in the other section. Then onto Wanaka town on the beach ( the Local kids were braving the cold water!) Had a look around the shops and had an ice cream whilst sitting on the beach looking at the mountains.
Drove back the scenic windy way and dropped the car off at the top of town, then walked back to the unit. Grabbed the bottle of wine from yesterday, and headed down to the lake for a picnic dinner (Mikey had KFC) and I had a few things I had collected eg : Cherries, dark Chocolate, ham, brie and crackers – Yummy!
Sunday 25th NovLate start – for a restful day! Looked around Queenstown shops, grabbed some Fish and chips next to the beach for lunch. It was blowing a gail, we walked around the Peninsula, and the gardens and got some great photo’s of the local flowers.
Walked back to the unit, as Mikey was starting to get a sore throat. Then went out to Dinner at “Lone Star” (different to the one at home) had Lamb Shanks and Mikey had Ribs. Super fast service and great food. Back for 8.30 for the weekly movie.
Monday 26th NovLate start – Taking it easy on our last day. Got the bus to Arrowtown for lunch and looked around the Chinese Settlement and a scene from Lord of the Rings. Back to the unit to start packing for tomorrow. Bombay Palace for take away.
The gallery can be found
here.
Mark & Sue
