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Saved: December 29th 2014
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Well the last week has been fabulous.
We decided to take a drive out to Mount Cook, at 3754 m high. It was where Edmund Hillary trained prior to his ascent of Everest. There was just one lovely hotel at the base of the mountain and this was where we had lunch. As it is summer here there were dozens of waterfalls coming down the mountains around us. It had been snowing but it suddenly stopped and the sun came out so we decided to walk off our lunch via the mountain trail to see Tasman Glacier, at 27km the longest glacier in NZ. The climb was tough especially at the end where there had been a rock fall so we had to clamber over boulders to get to the top. (We were out of practice after too much lazing for the last week so we struggled). Wow was it worth it! We looked down on the sheer icy glacier lake where huge icebergs that had broken off and were floating down the nearby river.
The following day we travelled though the huge mountains via Lindos Pass to the pretty goldmining settlement of Arrowtown.It was a cute town full
of heritage buildings and is known as the prettiest town in NZ. We set off along the river walk to see some of the places where Lord of the Rings was filmed and then to what was called "Chinese Village", which turned out to be a series of renovated huts and cabins which the chinese community had built during the gold rush. I have to admit I was a little disappointed and to Terry's great amusement I admitted I had been expecting little pagodas and waterfalls with restaurants.
Bypassing Queenstown the next day we took the scenic route via lakes and more mountains to Lake Te Anau. We had arranged to meet up with our friend Roger again and on arriving in town finding there were two Distinction Hotels and we had booked the wrong one. This was quickly rectified. Whilst waiting for him we took the boat across Lake Te Anau to the Glow worm caves. To enter the caves we had to stoop low and wander along the path until the caves opened out and we could stand up. There was the fiercest river and waterfall inside called Aggressive Waters and the noise was absolutely deafening. Then
we were put onto a little boat. Everything went pitch black and we floated around inside the cave in tranquillity and silence marvelling at the tiny green spots of light from the glow worms all over the ceiling and walls around us. It was a really spectacular and moving sight and Terry likened it to the starlight scene in Starlight Express.
Off then to Milford Sound down a spectacular drive round around Mirror Lakes and then a cruise around the stunningly beautiful Sound down to the Tasman Sea. We sailed past Seal Rock where there were dozens of little seals bathing in the sun and then our little boat took us right under a waterfall. Terry and I were the only two who stayed out on the bow of the boat while this was happening and yes, we got absolutely soaked but it was worth it and we saw the most fantastic rainbow across the water.
Then back to Queenstown, adrenaline capital of the world, and were amazed at the beautiful little alpine type town. We had been expecting a huge busy town. We booked the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat for that afternoon so we set off on
the minibus drive through the canyon on Skippers Road, an old gold mining access route. Only just enough space for the bus to get through the rocks and clinging to the edge of a sheer drop all the way. Donning our life jackets off we set for the 90 kph ride down the white water Shotover River with only inches of water, sheer cliff faces, canyon walls and 360 degree spins, all the time we were trying to video the experience. What a thrilling, adrenaline rushing ride. That night we found little pubs with great live music and most exciting of all for Terry, decent German beer and for me jugs of Pimms for only £3. Happy days !!!
Then the perfect end to a perfect week, Terry rents our own private wooden spa tub spa set high in the mountains. A push of the button and the roof and front wall retract giving us our own private breathtaking view. Ahhhhh who said romance is dead !!!
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Mike & Carole Lacey
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All I can say is WOW! Well done Terry for booking the Spa tub!xx