NZ fact for the day: A point near Cromwell lies 119 kms (74 miles) from the sea, the farthest from the sea anywhere in New Zealand (so now you can see why I have posted so many pics of the ocean!)
Other NZ fact: NZ has the best public toilets of any country that I've been in. They are everywhere -- and very well maintained. Even in remote areas -- you'll find outhouse-style public toilets -- with toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
The drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier is a long one -- so I decided to shorten it a bit -- instead of spending a 2nd night in Queenstown, I decided to drive to Wanaka and spend a night there (reducing my drive to Franz Josef by 1 hour).
It was overcast when I left Queenstown -- so instead of taking the alpine pass (I figured I wouldn't be able to see much) -- I drove the long way to Wanaka via Cromwell. Nice drive -- drove along the Kawarau River for awhile -- went past the first commercial bungy jumping site (and watched a couple do a tandem jump). Then stopped at the Roaring Meg Hydro Scheme -- and conveniently there was guy there selling coffee (excellent flat white). I also stopped at a cheese shop at one of the wineries -- small selection of cheeses -- very tasty though! (bought a aged cheddar grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast). Note: Central Otago is one of the larger wine-producing areas in NZ -- and the highway was lined with vineyeards.
Next stop was at a couple of fruit stands in Cromwell. Cromwell is an old gold-mining town (that was displaced when they created Lake Dunstan) and is now known primarily for it's stone-fruit orchards. I wish I had been here for cherry season! Still did well with buying plums, nectarines, peaches, and apricots. It's interesting that areas along the 45 latitude line in the northern and southern hemispheres are both known for stone-fruit orchards and wine. I then drove up to Wanaka. I had lunch at a cute cafe (including a very refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc) --after that I spent the rest of the day at the lake. I rented a kayak for 1 hour and went out for some very easy kayaking. Walked around the lake a bit -- found a shady spot under a tree -- read a book. Stopped at a pub overlooking the lake on the way back to my motel -- met a guy doing a similar trip (in reverse order though) -- he also rented a campervan -- and was regretting it a bit -- especially after getting stuck in some sand/mud and backing up into a tree and smashing in his rear window.
Weather: cloudy start then brilliant blue skies, 50 - 72F
Miles Walked: 4
km Driven: 117.3
Book/s Read: The Museum of Beautiful Things by Alice Hoffman; beautifully written, bit weird (it is Alice Hoffman after all), very good read
no bird pics today -- I did see two falcons -- but they were both too fast for me.
pic notes: the first pic is of something that I've had in a couple of motel rooms -- not sure what it's called -- but it's like a body blow-dryer (hot air only). Also lots of motels of heated towel racks -- and radiant heating in the bathroom. I think it's all to make up for the fact that they don't have central heating -- and it gets chilly in the winter. I thought it was great that people were having an adult birthday party on the beach --- and no idea why those 2 guys were dressed like that.
side note: blogger photo loader is kind of crappy. for some reason when I bulk load pics -- they load in a random order -- and then are very difficult to move around -- very annoying.
Other NZ fact: NZ has the best public toilets of any country that I've been in. They are everywhere -- and very well maintained. Even in remote areas -- you'll find outhouse-style public toilets -- with toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
The drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier is a long one -- so I decided to shorten it a bit -- instead of spending a 2nd night in Queenstown, I decided to drive to Wanaka and spend a night there (reducing my drive to Franz Josef by 1 hour).
It was overcast when I left Queenstown -- so instead of taking the alpine pass (I figured I wouldn't be able to see much) -- I drove the long way to Wanaka via Cromwell. Nice drive -- drove along the Kawarau River for awhile -- went past the first commercial bungy jumping site (and watched a couple do a tandem jump). Then stopped at the Roaring Meg Hydro Scheme -- and conveniently there was guy there selling coffee (excellent flat white). I also stopped at a cheese shop at one of the wineries -- small selection of cheeses -- very tasty though! (bought a aged cheddar grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast). Note: Central Otago is one of the larger wine-producing areas in NZ -- and the highway was lined with vineyeards.
Next stop was at a couple of fruit stands in Cromwell. Cromwell is an old gold-mining town (that was displaced when they created Lake Dunstan) and is now known primarily for it's stone-fruit orchards. I wish I had been here for cherry season! Still did well with buying plums, nectarines, peaches, and apricots. It's interesting that areas along the 45 latitude line in the northern and southern hemispheres are both known for stone-fruit orchards and wine. I then drove up to Wanaka. I had lunch at a cute cafe (including a very refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc) --after that I spent the rest of the day at the lake. I rented a kayak for 1 hour and went out for some very easy kayaking. Walked around the lake a bit -- found a shady spot under a tree -- read a book. Stopped at a pub overlooking the lake on the way back to my motel -- met a guy doing a similar trip (in reverse order though) -- he also rented a campervan -- and was regretting it a bit -- especially after getting stuck in some sand/mud and backing up into a tree and smashing in his rear window.
Weather: cloudy start then brilliant blue skies, 50 - 72F
Miles Walked: 4
km Driven: 117.3
Book/s Read: The Museum of Beautiful Things by Alice Hoffman; beautifully written, bit weird (it is Alice Hoffman after all), very good read
no bird pics today -- I did see two falcons -- but they were both too fast for me.
pic notes: the first pic is of something that I've had in a couple of motel rooms -- not sure what it's called -- but it's like a body blow-dryer (hot air only). Also lots of motels of heated towel racks -- and radiant heating in the bathroom. I think it's all to make up for the fact that they don't have central heating -- and it gets chilly in the winter. I thought it was great that people were having an adult birthday party on the beach --- and no idea why those 2 guys were dressed like that.
side note: blogger photo loader is kind of crappy. for some reason when I bulk load pics -- they load in a random order -- and then are very difficult to move around -- very annoying.
No comments:
Post a Comment