Our last two days in Queenstown were spent wandering and relaxing (depending on who you ask)  after a pretty tiring day before and a long  journey to Christchurch planned for Friday.

We explored Queenstown shops and the gardens around the lake (which Dad insisted on walking but probably wished he hadn’t). Dad and Colin had the ‘best hot chocolate in the world’ and a pie for lunch, which could be described as their idea of paradise… but I know that Paradise is down the road. I went there the other day and it is true!

We found an observation place under the lake, where you could drop feed and watch the giant trout and NZ ducks diving to eat the feed. These particular ducks can stay underwater for 45 minutes! It was so fascinating we ended up putting $3 into the machine for feed.

Our drive to Wanaka was the usual visual overload of spectacular views mixed with dangerous curves (on the road).

A birds eye view of the mountains

It will be sad to leave Queenstown but we are looking forward to Christchurch and our big train journey on the Trans Alpine across to Greymouth and back on Saturday (then return home on Sunday night).

We woke at 6.30am ready to jump aboard the Milford Sound touring BBQ bus. The bus was full of people from Australia, Japan, China and the USA, making for interesting conversation and events on the way.

Photo stop: Mirror lake

After a very informative commentary from the bus driver, we stopped for a few photoshoots and continued to the Fiordland National park for a BBQ lunch. Our boat cruise on the Milford sound was due to leave at 2pm so we had plenty of time… or so we thought. Here is where the journey went pear shaped…

Fiordland national park

The tour guide suggested we went for a walk in the mystical forest on ‘The Loop’ and arrive back ready for lunch to be served. He said it was a 20 minute walk. We were having a lovely time taking photos and enjoying the moss covered ancient forest and so were the young Japanese couple trailing along with us. When we reached the lake, we returned to the path (as advised) and continued on the loop track back to the delicious BBQ. We noticed that the Japanese couple had not followed us but decided that they must have taken another track back. Unfortunately, they had still not returned when we had eaten lunch and had packed up the BBQ and were ready to leave to catch the cruise boat. The driver hit the panic button. He RAN the loop track twice looking for them. We all piled into the bus so that he could take us for a drive to find them. Just as we were about to take off… they stumbled out of the forest. We gave them an applause and they apologised sheepishly and ate their cold BBQ lunch in the bus while we continued on the journey.

At this point we were running very late to get to Milford Sound and catch the 2pm boat cruise so the driver drove like a maniac. He roared along the hairpin bends (with cliff hanger drops down the side) in the 25 seater bus with a trailer on the back. He overtook buses, campervans, cars on blind corners and dangerous sections of road. Bags and drink bottles were falling from the luggage rack onto peoples heads. It was like a war zone (no exaggeration Margie!).

In order to stay in the seat, we had to hold the handle with all our might. Colin almost needed sedation by the time we got there. I think Dad was just stunned. We arrived with only minutes to spare and jumped on the cruise boat feeling quite frazzled.

Milford Sound

Of course, Milford Sound lived up to it’s expectations, apart from the fact that we had NO RAIN. In a place which has 6-9 metres of rain per year, this is something of a miracle. The scenery was stunning and we couldn’t help but stand on the deck to take photos, where we were almost blown off our feet. At one point we were almost completely under a waterfall and my camera got a good soaking.

After two hours of cruising, sipping coffee and recovering from our bus drivers manic driving we returned to the bus with trepidation. The return trip wasn’t quite as treacherous, but almost. We were pleased to stop for an icecream at Te Aneu as by then we were getting pretty hungry.

We arrived home at 8.30pm… pretty weary but safe and sound. Colin cooked up a meal for a late dinner. He is still recovering from the driving experience!

Our last day in Taupo turned us all a little silly. Dad tried his hand at several of the play equipment at the Prawn farm (captured on video) and so did Colin. I was the sensible one of course. Someone had to capture it on camera!

The prawn farm ended up more fun than expected with a lovelyy walk along the river bank and trout feeding (but not catching). The day ended with Dad THRASHING Col at mini golf. He skulked home afterwards.

It was sad to think we were leaving our lovely Taupo but the excitement of our double plane trip tomorrow on a 19 seater plane to Queenstown gave us something to look forward to.

Dads case now weights 5k more than when he started. TRUE! He insists it’s because he hasn’t done his washing and it’s full of dirt.

More photos on this Facebook link….

COL: Where would you like to go?

A: The bee farm

B: Hidden valley

DAD: I don’t mind

ME: B- Hidden Valley

COL: Are you sure? I think it’s going to rain.

Our rental car is starting to look and sound like a jalopy. Sharp corners or slight bumps in the road cause it to make a loud grinding noise… but we soldier on (it’s just a flesh wound after all). We took it to ‘Happy Valley’ to try to sooth it’s soul. Here we found more sizzling mud pools and gushing geysers. What we didn’t expect was LOTS of stairs to climb but thankfully the weather was mild and overcast. The walking track wound around a large hill (mountain?) where we were delighted with different thermal phenonema, including a huge cave, deep in the mountain. The steam and heat from the pools caused us to slowly cook and the exercise added to the exhaustion but the unique scenery made it all very worthwhile. It would be a difficult track on a hot day… but then according to the news, the North Island is having a heatwave (?).

One of the geysers politely exploded into action right at the time I turned my video camera on so we were presented with a spectacular spluttering show.

You will see by the photos that Colin has had enough of Dad and decided to throw him over the cliff into a hot pool. Lucky he can swim! Dad did an awesome job of climbing so many stairs in the humidity. I think it was the promise of the Subway double choc biscuit that he secretly wanted, that spurred him on. Or was it the thought that Colin would stop asking him if he wanted food if he climbed faster?

After a trip to a glass blowing factory we returned home to roast chicken and salad for dinner.

The weariness had caught up with all of us by then.

Flying high

We are about to embark on a wonderful trip to New Zealand with my Dad, who hasn’t had the pleasure of overseas travel before.  Part of our trip will include a double flight from Taupo to Queenstown, including a flight in a 19 seater from Taupo to Auckland. Colin doesn’t take to flying too well so we have organised a special seat for him (see pic).

Bad planning but maybe it will be fun!  We didn’t realise how big NZ is and booked our accommodation from North to South Islands too close together so we have had to fly instead of driving. I’m planning on sitting up the ‘other end’ so I don’t have to hold the sickie bag for Col.

Our Itinery:

11/2/10: Fly to Auckland and stay for one night

12/2/10: Arrive in Taupo and stay for 6 nights

19/2/10: Fly to Queenstown and stay 7 nights (including day trip to Milford sound)

26/2/10: Drive to Christchurch and stay for 2 nights (including day train trip to Greymouth and return)

28/2/10: Fly home

Stay tuned for the blogging of our adventures!