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Published: April 11th 2008
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Where to begin...
We seem to have done quite a lot since we last wrote.
We left Wanaka in the pouring rain and took the scenic route to Queenstown - along the highest sealed road in New Zealand...oh how the car struggled! But it did lead to some incredible views and wound round the edges of big blue lakes (not that i was looking - cos i was driving... 😉
We were expecting Queenstown to be a bit full on and pushy with bungi jumps and stuff, but actually we found it to be a great laid back city. A trip up the Cable car is a must - the views are spectacular and then you can get the Luge down part of the mountain - a little gravity go-cart...its great fun and you feel 5 as you whizz down the mountainside 😊
Fergburger is worth a visit too - yummy burgers with names like 'little lamby' (i could have cried when i ordered!)
Next stop was Te Anau ... not a lot to do here apart from wait for a Milford/Doubtful Sound cruise and hang out at a lovely Hostel called Rosie's ... very homely with freshly made
biscuits.
We decided to do a Doubtful Sound (Fjord) Overnight Cruise to get a real sense of the remoteness of the Sound. We have also heard that Milford is quite busy now so Doubtful it was and it was worth every cent. To get to our boat we had to take a 40 minute boat trip ... this was in the pouring rain, and everyone seemed a bit subdued at the prospect of a very wet trip. Next we got a coach for 40 minutes to the port. We passed lots of waterfalls that only appear after heavy rain - they were so impressive we came to appreciate the rain.
As we boarded the boat the sun came out ... could not have been better timed.
The crew were genuinely lovely and friendly.
After being shown to our little cabins - (quad share - very cosy 😊 - we had warm muffins.
Later those that wanted to went Kayaking - this was great to really get out into the Sound. We could paddle up close to waterfalls and i had a fish jump over the back of my kayak - really getting close to nature!
Back on the boat
we were warmed up with soup and warm rolls ... really there is not a lack of food on this trip!
Weirdly there was an uncanny amount of look-a-likes on our trip...Leonardo Di Caprio (Swooooon), Harry Potter, Jane Torville, Jack Johnson, Chris Martin and Prof. Trelawney from Harry Potter!! Seriously, i dont joke, it was WEIRD!
We saw dolphins playing on the way out to sea where we was tonnes of seals hanging out with their babies on the rocks.
We were woken early - before the sun came up (esp as the mountains were so high the sun took a while to emerge over them) it was well worth getting up to see the beautiful scenery slowly emerge.
Before heading back to the port we went into a cove and the engine was turned off. We were encouraged to stand still out on the deck, not use our cameras or rustle our coats (?!!) and really take in the silence for 5 minutes. Its so rare to be in complete silence - words cant really describe it, it was a pretty magical moment.
We were pretty gutted to have to move on after such a fantastic trip - it
Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka.
Cordy with wine and cookie...delicious! really was the best way to experience the desolate Doubtful.
Next stop was Invercargill - we found it closed up (all shops close on Saturday afternoons) and pretty depressing after our Doubtful adventure - but we were here just for a night.
We visited the most Southern town of New Zealand - Bluff, 'a shabby little town' (Lonely Planet) Yep, we agree...dont hang around here, unless you are going to Stewart Island.
We snapped the "signpost" and swiftly left.
Next we drove along the coast and through the Catlins - rolling farmland and beaches...great for seeing Sea lions. We spotted some and there are HUGE it was just us and them on a beach and apparently they can chase you, so we didnt hang around for too long.
We stayed 2 nights in a remote farmstay halfway along the coast - to sort ourselves out, do some washing and enjoy the surroundings in more than just a day. It was really worth the stay because for me it was a place the grew on me with time. We were especially lucky to be staying in a wonderful place - Falls Backpackers - as i said it was
a remote farm up a long gravel track. It was cold and the farm house was a cosy place to hang out and knit (!) and bake cookies and get a good nights sleep with electric blankets 😊
We LOVED it.
Now in Dunedin - a great student city. Lots to see and do especially as the fringe festival is on. We have been to the theatre - Moonlight and Magnolias, about the making of Gone with the Wind and very funny. We have also visited and toured the Cadburys Factory and Speights Brewery. Free tastings at both!
We are staying in possibly the BEST city Hostel i have ever been too. We love it so much we have extended our stay. Its called Hogwartz - and is so warm and friendly i think i could quite happily stay a lot longer. But we are moving north to see Whales, Dolphins and drink wine 😉
Will write again sooooon!!
love issie and cordy x x
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Pippa
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Girls, this all sounds far too amazing... particularly leonardo lookalikes and the sea lions! Words can't describe my envy!! xxxx