As the photos will show, we have had a rather event-filled week in Queenstown and the surrounding area. There is much to see and do. We did get quite a bit more rain in this area than on the North Island but that did not stop us. We've travelled along steep mountain passes and dangerously curving roads beside Lake Wakatipu to such places as Arrowtown, Wanaka and Glenorchy. Arrowtown is a small little village which was once a gold mining centre. It has a very rustic main street and lots of little shops. Wanaka is a pretty little town beside Lake Wanaka which is one of the entryways to Mount Aspiring National Park. Glenorchy and Mount Aspiring National Park were areas where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed for those of you who are Rings fans. We haven't seen any of the movies but we enjoyed the scenery in those areas. We even saw a film crew filming along the road near Glenorchy. Perhaps they were filming Lord of the Rings IV. We also spotted some Canada Geese in the Glenorchy area. Who would think that they'd be found this far south in New Zealand?Queenstown is probably the biggest area of New Zealand for adventure tourism. We have seen jet boats racing through the Shotover Canyon, hang gliders soaring from the mountain and over the town, Parasailers on the lake and Bungy (bungee) jumpers. The more adventurous and dangerous, the better it seems in these parts.
The real drama ,though, is in the sure majesty of the spectacular mountains and the incredible scenery. Even when it rains, the clouds form dramatic patterns over the landscape and we never see the same scene twice the same way in these parts.
The Alexis Motor Lodge continues to be a wonderful location as we enjoy the spectacular scenery through our front window even when we eat breakfast or dinner. We feel right at home because Molly, the owners' dog is always looking through our window hoping for a scrap from the table. She did get a special treat one night as we had some grisly pieces of some lamb steaks from our barbeque dinner that we asked permission to give to her. She certainly made short work of these gulping them down in no time.
We have really enjoyed our time in New Zealand to date and are not homesick yet. We're looking forward moving on to Christchurch and Australia.
1. The Alexis Motor Lodge, Queenstown
2. The world's most famous jet boaters
3. Jet boat races through the Shotover Canyon near Queenstown
4. Hang glider over gondola by Queenstown
5. Lorraine at the top of the gondola lift, Queenstown
6. Trevor hangs out at the top of the gondola lift (hang glider in background)
7. Arrowtown main street
8. Molly visits our apartment
9. Tussock grass on the hills
10. Memorial with tussock in background
11. Hill filled with tussock grass
12. Road through mountain pass en route to Wanaka
13. Glow worm Wannabe
14. Lorraine waves again (At top of mountain range with Queenstown in the distance
15. Little lamb (sheared)
16. Sheepish sheep (unsheared)
17. Crazy road beside Lake Wakatipu
18. Lake Wakatipu North Branch panoramic shot
19. Glenorchy Village (Lord of the Rings fame)
20. Canada Geese near Glenorchy
21. Geese in flight
22. View from Glenorchy
23. Dart River Jet boaters at Glenorchy
24. Trevor and Lorraine At Glenorchy Village
25. TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship at wharf in Queenstown
26. Nervous Lorraine on gondola
27. TSS Earnslaw Steamship on Lake Wakatipu
