Otago Adventure Day 4 Happy New Year!!

 We awoke in our stable room to the pitter patter of rain and wandered into the breakfast room.  At a long wooden table, set with old China, we feasted on locally grown stewed fruit, muesli and clotted cream. Followed by home baked bread, jam and baked eggs. We had a leisurely stroll around Clyde, packed up and hit the road, well literally hit the road and stopped at the Bank Cafe where we had to squeeze in a cheesy roll. All in the name of science.  10/10, and fortunately couldn't squeeze in a second.

It was a quick drive to Queenstown with a stop in Cromwell and Gibbston Valley Wines. Our time in Queenstown will be spent with old friends Kay and Jeff Turner. They have a fabulous home on the edge of Lake Whakatipu. We settled in and caught up on kid stuff, medical dilemmas and life in general. New Years Eve was started with drinks, a meal and meeting new friends at the Turners and at 11:15 we braved the cold and drizzle to walk down the road to the Hilton and onto a water taxi and across the lake to town  where hoards of people were enjoying live music. Declan is also holidaying in the South and we caught up with him, his girlfriend Alena and her family to see in the New Year. Spectacular fireworks, no rain and a great atmosphere. A New Year to be remembered.

Otago Adventure : Day 3

Otago Adventure : Day 3

After a sporadic sleep in our cosy cabin we rose to an overcast day. This was a nice contrast as it gave the sounds a different vibe. Fun facts ( come on, I am a teacher after all) It is called Doubtful Sound because when Captain Cook found it from the Tasman Sea he was "doubtful' they would find their way out if they went in. And it is not even a 'sound' as a sound is carved out from water and these were carved out from glaciers. Last  fact, there is no soil, so the trees and plants are hanging onto the hills and mountains by the skin of there teeth (actually lichen and moss) so there are frequent landslides. After a bacon and egg breaky we reversed the trip order and arrived back at Manapouri around mid day. 

 As I have never been down this way I want to see as much as I can so wisely or unwisely we drove to Clyde via  Invercargill. There was not much to see and the terrain was not as rugged as I had anticipated, but it was an easy drive (well it was for me because all I had to do was sit and look out the window). A brief stop in Riverton for late lunch at the Postmasters. Nice little cafe where we have begun a project to aid mankind. "Cheesy Roll Testing". These are pieces of white bread with a cheesy sauce filling and rolled and toasted. These were served with butter slathered and melting over the top. I would rate them an 8/10. Not a ten because we needed a second serving just to re test. I also demolished a superb custard square (vanilla slice for you Australians). 

Back on the road the vista was pretty and much like the North Island, until we hit a sign saying 'Welcome to Central Otago'. An immediate change in countryside. Rugged hilly mountains with piles of rocks and stone, hills yellowed and golden with poplar trees in rows like soldiers. In the valleys lush patches, especially in Ettrick and Roxburgh where cherries and other fruit were so thick on the trees you could see the flashes of colour as you drove by.

And then we got to Clyde. We had been here once for lunch on our 10th wedding anniversary, nearly 17 years ago. Oliver's stables is a quaint historical stone set of buildings  and our room is awesome.  Like we have just stepped off a gold rush wagon. Furs are draped over leather chairs and the room is dotted with old books and bone china. We are ready for a luxurious shower, food and sleep. Goodnight.

Day 2: Otago Adventure.

 We were up early and waiting to board a small vessel to cross Lake Manapouri. Fifty minutes later we boarded a shuttle boat to drive across the amazing Wilmott Pass to board the Tutoko 2, our home for the next 2 days. A hardy vessel (we thought) and a cosy little cabin to ourselves. Our shipmates (of which  there were 9) and 4 crew were all nice. 

 Apart from one kiwi who lives in Perth the rest of the tourists were young Americans. One young guy is an astronomer from NASA! Doubtful Sound is beautiful, the weather was perfect and we sat on the top deck with cups of tea and home baking watching the mountains slide by. As we approached the Tasman Sea, a wall of cloud appeared and we were swallowed into it, immediately the weather took on a new and slightly menacing feeling.Almost like we had entered the King Kong Movie. 

We had a quick look at the seal colony and re-entered the sounds. It was a whole day just sliding through the water, we stopped to let a crew member dive for some crayfish.  Lance's favourite meal. And he popped up with half a dozen. Nice birthday meal in store for Lance.

 Then we were off to another cove for some fishing, I caught a small shark (dog fish) and another thing too small. But Lance pulled in a couple worth eating, still a happy man. I went kayaking and then braved a dip off the side of the  boat.

I was astonished at how warm it was with the odd cold patches. And the fresh water made it a tiring swim, but delicious.

 Later as we were about to tuck into our crayfish the skipper came and explained a "situation". There was a hole in the boat. Honest, that is what he said.  He said not to worry, it was only a small hole and they would strap a plank of wood over it for the night. We all tried to look casual as a very long plank was taken down into the hold. Anyway, we didn't sink so it must have worked, but they have had to cancel the next couple of cruises. After our four courses which included freshly caught fish we popped back on deck to watch the Dolphins playing around our boat. It was so peaceful with hardly any other boats around. All in all a fantastic thing to do, highly recommended in the scheme of things you must do in NZ. Fiordland Explorer.

Otago NZ Adventure 2014/15

Day one: Otago Adventure. 

Up at 4:50am, stand on the back of a man's jandal at Christchurch airport and broke it, throw a "Sorry" over my shoulder as I join the queue boarding for Queenstown. Pray that he isn't  on the flight. 

Jump in the hire car and drive to Milford Sound, 5 hours. 

I hoped that it would be worthwhile- it was!!!  We bumped into Fiona Allison. Dipped our toes in the water expecting ice, but it was warm as a bath. After a 2 hour drive to Manapouri, Manapouri we arrived at the Lakeview Inn, good lodgings, a swim in the Lake and dinner at the pub 100m from unit. At 10pm and Lance is still sitting outside in daylight and me ready for bed. Great day today!