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Published: February 5th 2014
Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu from the cable carWe left Dunedin in glorious sunshine to travel to Queenstown. The scenery varied as we went along from familiar English type countryside with big trees and fields full of sheep and cows, and within a few miles the road changed and we were going through narrow mountain gorges with the road twisting and turning around sharp bends. It then changed to high fertile plains growing all sorts of fruits and lots of vineyards. There was little traffic on the roads so the journey was easy. We stopped in several places one being a bungee jumping bridge straddling a river gorge. For about half a nano second we considered having a go and then common sense stepped in so instead we watched "the young people" leaping from a tiny platform. Our route took us through the gold mining area and we stopped at Arrowtown which is an old mining settlement and is now a picturesque village with some of the old mining cottages still standing. Queenstown is a busy bustling place with lots of sporty young people around but sufficient older ones to make us feel not out of place. We took a ride up the mountain on the Skyline Gondola and
Lake Wakatipu from the boatthe views were spectacular across Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown. Afterwards we went to the Kiwi wildlife park and were very fortunate to see three of these timid nocturnal animals in their dark enclosures. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photographs as they are easily frightened so we just sat fascinated watching them. Tuesday morning the sun shone again and we set off for a boat trip along the lake in a new catamaran. The captain invited Penny to join him on the bridge!!! However there were only three of us on the top viewing deck at the time. What a journey, a real highlight of our trip so far. The captain gave a running commentary as we went along which was not only informative but amusing as well. Half way along all but us three on the top got off so we ended up having a private cruise all the way back.....how the other half live. It was at this point Penny decided on a bit of retail therapy as she was suffering withdrawal symptoms so we sallied forth into the shopping malls, and there are a lot of shops here !!
Today (Wednesday) we sallied forth
We couldn't take a photo of a real kiwi, so this will have to do ( they are not really this big!!!)at 7.29a.m, not a minute before or a minute after, we were told by the tour operator, and she was right.We duly caught the coach to Milford Sound and to our excitement found we had been given the front seats, the best views in the house! Our driver, Lester, was excellent, not only did he give us a running commentary of the places we passed through but he had a huge knowledge of and love for the nature of the land. Again we drove through yet more amazing countryside and when we reached The Fiordland National Park the landscape became rugged with deep valleys carved out by glaciers with near vertical cliffs on either side. There are thick temperate rain forests of beech trees covered with moss and with hanging creepers. It just looks like a film set from The Lord of the Rings, it is so dramatic. Then we reached Milford Sound and went on the cruise boat out to the Tasman Sea. The grandeur of this place can only be seen from the water, with it's cascading waterfalls and almost vertical cliff sides. Another unforgettable day. Tomorrow it is on to Fox Glacier.
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Kathy
non-member comment
Photography ....Wow
I was thinking of including Milford Sound when we get over there....your photographs have just confirmed this for me .....magical place with stunning dramatic vistas. Enjoying your blog...very informative,making notes all the time whilst tracking you on the map. Glad to hear you got some shopping in Penny !! Lv Kathy x