Contents:
Then drove to Nugget Point and had lunch in car park. Then cross country to Cannibal bay where we encountered the Sea Lions — huge beasts who from time to time put on a good roaring show for us. Flies were a problem for them so they tried to cover their bums in sand! Very special to see them in the wild. Oh and chickens wandering around! Phoned home at about Tee hee — it made her laugh! Dirt roads for much of the way, kicking up clouds of dust, but on the straights 40 — 50 mph possible. Parked up with a min round trip walk to Jacks Blow hole up and down a gravel path.
The dark clouds were gathering on our walk back to Ruddy duck, but the rain stayed away until the last 20 yds — great timing. Then still on dirt roads going West for a good few miles to Purakaunui falls — interesting short 20 minute walk through virgin forest to the falls. Not much water going over but impressive structure. Odd bird calls walking through the forest then Angela spotted one — like a big pigeon but with greeny blue bib and reddish colour on wings — Will look up. Then along to Florence hill look out for lunch. Massive curved bay — totally unspoiled. However the heavens opened so confined to Ruddy Duck.
Then across the hills to Curio Bay for about A can of processed minted peas! Finally the two young lads sitting close next to each other again in wet weather gear, eating nothing, but sharing a common lead to headphones- probably enjoying whale music? Not a particularly pleasant place to eat but great for people watching. Day 13 14th March, Curio Bay to Papatowai and the Whistling Frog near Mclean Falls We woke to sunshine, abluted and breakfasted — cleared camp and still in the campsite drove up to the point overlooking the bay.
Decided to check in and the lady told us the McClean falls were shut due to a landslide. So we headed off to a couple of walks at Matai and Horseshoe falls where we sighted one of the birds calling — turns out to be a NZ Wood Pigeon — quite different to the UK variety. Then down to lunch on Tautuku beach which we had seen from Florence Point yesterday — we drove right onto the beach and apart from one walker were the only ones there. Then we backtracked up to the Lost Gypsy Gallery — an old bus and buildings dedicated to crazy working inventions — pedal powered TV, bicycle spokes church bells , loads of tiny working figures and some great steps with all kinds of old metal objects embedded in the concrete.
Facinating place — very inventive and very clever. After that we decided to return to the Whistling Frog to regroup. Had a look at the restaurant — Bey know how to charge! No thank you!
Bed about Up and out by about 10am and set course for Invercargill backtracking along the roads we had explored over the last 2 days for the first part. In Invercargill we shopped and were amazed to find the supermarkets had no wine or beer — apparently a local byelaw prevents their sale, so across the road to a Liquor store to stock up. Then a very nice indian chap at a petrol station helped us get our supermarket discount and wanted to chat — nice fellow. Left Invercargill on route 99 and pulled over onto Colac bay for lunch next to some young surfers.
They were really nice and chatted about the area and where was good etc etc.
We were the only ones on this huge beach. Lovely lunch spot. We arrived in Te Anau about We had done some research but the cruise offered by the iSite was rather pricey we thought. We phoned the only site there — office was shut but their website said they were full. Decision made we phoned Go Orange and booked the Once booked their e-mail ionformed us we had gained a 25 minute jet boat adventure at Queenstown with them!
Ah bonus as well see later. Decided it would be rude not to, especially as it was happy hour, so in for a pint and a wine — most refreshing! The Japanese here are pushy little buggers — literally pushing you out of the way if they want to get somewhere — especially the women?
Being Cornish of Yorkshire descent they have not yet mastered texting technology, so sent the same text 4 times! Eventually woke groggiliy to the alarm — quick coffee and hit the road. The drive did take 2 hrs through some pretty stunning scenery especially from about 20 miles out from Milford. The road goes through a short one way tunnel into deep valleys and high mountains.
We stopped and made a Jam sandwich or two for breakfast and were bounced by squadrons of sandflies. Little barstards were everywhre so we quit the carpark in hast for the shuttlebus. Only the 2 of us on it, so i asked the driver to take us to London — so he worked out the nearest Ro Ro was Dunedin but we might not be back for some weeks! He dropped us at the Cafe where we bought coffee and sat waiting for our Cruise.
Eventually we boarded and set off.
Stunning scenery throughout. The skipper gve a commentary which no-one on the upper deck could hear, and from time to time took the boat right up to the sheer Fjord walls under a waterfall to get everyone as wet as he could. We had a picnic lunch on deck — all very pleasant.
We then drove down into Milford to get a couple of gallons of petrol Might have been a bit tight getting to Te Anau had we not! Then off up and out. Clive had told me that Mark was a really nice chap and a bit of a character! We did a bit of shopping, then back to the site to cook a Pork Schnitzel dinner with corn on the cob and fresh veg, — but we had real problems with the cookers so got the stove from the van.
We got chatting to them — they were farmers from Alberta who had just finished high school and before going to college to do apprentiships they were having a gap funded by themselves our parents gave us nothing for this trip! Both were destined to take over their parents farms and were really grounded young men — really nice and very knowledgeable. We spent a very pleasant evening chatting to them about everything under the sun.
We met in his Library after the manageress found him stripping paint in the annex! Te Anau Lodge is an old convent from the mining days, but was not built in Te Anau? Mark had it moved on a lorry about years ago from Nightcaps. The entrance hall has a highly ornate structure in carved wood which is used as a dumb waiter. In its former life it was a Victorian Confessional Box! And he owns a Dakota!
We sat and chatted over coffee about Dakotas and his lodge etc for about an hour. A thoroughly nice chap and a pleasure to meet. If in Paris we will defintely drop into see him in his Museum. We took our leave and drove off up towards Queenstown where we had arranged to stay over with a widowed Kiwi lady, Jen, we had met while she was cycling in France in and she camped next to us in the Dordogne.
Our gourmet lunch here comprises local cuisine of seasonal produce incorporating freshly baked bread, wholesome soups, succulent salads, tender meat and supreme sides. If the hat fits -wear it. They have created a collection of stunning themed gardens and outdoor rooms, blended harmoniously with the surrounding countryside. Stay connected: Browse our online and virtual events. Went to watch the cam first to see if that screen grab was taken during a lull. They were about heroes and morals. He pointed out other locals catching flounders, by netting or spearing them.
She carried everything on her bike, so we gave her a chair a table and a glass for her wine and we struck up a friendship over the next few days which has continued by e-mail. On the way we stopped for lunch on the southern shores of Lake Wakatitu. Great views and a lovely lunch stop much appreciated by the hippy type who stopped by us and played the peeny whistle while we ate and very well played it was too!
We stopped at a couple of other viewpoints then stocked up our wine supplies at a New World at the airport then dropped into the Queenstown iSite to see what was what in the area. The estate is a large golfing complex with golf houses etc etc and I think we drove round most of them and most of the holes! The sat nags got themselves in a realpickle and only the nice chap washing down golf carts at tyhe clubhouse saved us by finding a map for us! Eventually we found her house on a slight hill overlooking the estate.
We sat outside drinking wine and chatting and then Lesley and her 2 dogs Mica and Franky arrived and started cooking. Whitebait fritters, Shrimps and chilli Salmon washed down with lots of wine, then fresh fruits from the garden. We chatted the night out then after coffee retired to our room with a bed so large we needed a loud hailer to converse!
We said our goodbyes to Jen then headed East towards Gibbston and the Karawau bridge — famous throughout the world. Famous for? This is where A J Hackett set up the first commercial Bungy Jump centre and we wanted to see the action. A brief wait for the japanese lady infront of me to be coaxed into jumping then up to the edge and into a perfect swallow dive down to the river 45 metres below.
And whats more I throughly enjoyed it and would do another with no problem! I could not persuade Angela to do one — strange that?! The whole operation is very, very professional and slick but so friendly and such a great atmosphere that you reall feel so comfortable there. Still buzzing we had coffee in the car park then headed off to Queenstown to get petrol, but before that we wanted to check out our free Go Orange jet boat tickets and to have a Ferg Burger, another must do in these parts!
The chap there was very helpful and booked us onto the Then onto Shotover St to find the Ferg Berger place. After looking up and down the street for a few minutes we realised we were almost outside it — queues of people into the street. We just had time to stroll back to Ruddy Duck to feed the meter and then walk down to Go Orange to get our boat. These boats really shift in minimal water — great fun.
First stop as always to New World to stock up on supplies, then to Wanaka Kiwi Holiday Park where we chilled out, reflected on an action packed day, then decided that as we were full of FergBurger a hot salad would be great.