January 2018 – Page 2 – Welcome to my Travel story

A rainy day in Nelson – while the sun shines in Invercargill

Saturday, 13th January 2018

We woke up to another day of rain. All through the night I heard the rain falling and in my subconscious I was thinking – good let the rain fall now and it will be dry by the morning – but no such luck – it is now 11.30 am and we have had constant rainfall. At Breakfast, David, the hotel owner informed us that that this weather will continue for the next 10 days! Anyway he made our breakfast of eggs and bacon and when he asked us how we would like our eggs, we both said “sunny side up” and both of us thought : well if we cannot have the sun outdoors then we’ll have it on our breakfast plates – stay positive!!!!

To add to our grievance, we found out that Invercargill will be enjoying sunny warm weather this weekend with temperatures reaching 30 degrees – and we only left Invercargill a few days back – when it was raining as well!

This is the expected temperatures over the weekend with the south part of the South Island getting all the sun and heat

Hot temperatures heading to Invercargill this Sunday and Monday, with 30degrees in the forecast. Invercargill has only hit 30’s 5 times since 1993. Foehn heating in a northerly flow plays a big part –

Anyway, we had all the time to catch up with our emails, social media and other stuff before attempting to go to the Saturday market. By the time it was dry enough to go for our walk into town, it was well gone 13.00 and of course the farmers’ market would have finished by then. We took our map with us but what should have been a 10 minute walk to the town centre, it turned out to be more than half an hour as we had walked along a totally different direction – along the industrial harbour – until we were made aware that we should turn around to reach the city centre……..

An old building along the harbourside, The Anchor Shipping and Foundry Co.Ltd now being used as a hostel

Another old building on the waterfront used for backpackers

A mural painted on the old Electricity Board building depicting the free clouds

A bronze statue to commemorate the first settlers arriving from Europe in 1842

The Seafarers’ Memorial along the sea front

Nelson city has a large population of some 47,000 residents and what with the tourists around, we got the impression of a busy but holiday type of town. Also there is a beach close to the city centre – Tahuna Beach – however we only saw this yesterday when we were driving through town to get to our hotel and then it was low tide. Anyway when we got to the city centre there was lots of bustling around – lots of high street shops but also lots of cafe’s situated in the old 1 storey houses that are still standing. The first settlers here came from Europe in 1842 and as we could note when we saw all the names on the 1914 Great War memorial, most of the people who lived here in the beginning of the 20th century were all of Anglo Saxon origin.

Gerry studying the map and getting his coordinates right

Another view of the well kept buildings on the high street

Old fashioned lamp posts – reminded me of Paris

Some of the older building on Trafalgar Street

Nelson’s Women’s Club, now a restaurant on the high street

At the top of the High Street – Trafalgar Street, we came to wide stairs leading to the art-deco Christ Church Cathedral.. We did not visit this cathedral as it was closed and anyway we were told that the best time to visit is when a service is on as the organist and choir produce beautiful music and song…….

By the time we had wandered around town, we saw that the clouds were gathering again and we were told that there would be a thunderstorm coming up later in the afternoon. So we did not dare risk getting caught in the rain and started making our way back to the hotel. We had wanted to visit the Founders’ Heritage Park, but we will do this tomorrow when we are on our way to Blenheim.

on our way back to the hotel, our walk along the River Maitai

Due to the heavy rains, the river had flooded its banks

Our hotel – The Harbourside Lodge – as seen when walking back from the city centre

Before getting back to the hotel, we stopped at the Anchor Inn for a beer and a wine – I was dead beat and when I checked my steps App, we had walked some 15.000 steps and 10.5km!! An achievement!! Back at the hotel we had an hour to relax and freshen up before we went off for dinner. Tonight we went to the restaurant in the old harbour – Styx – and this was a very good choice even though we had to wait a bit as the kitchen was very busy. I ordered linguine with seafood which was delicious while Gerry had the Johny Dory fish with vegetables and potatoes gratin – I tasted the fish and this was really delicious!! And most important of all, the sun came out this evening and we could watch the sun set into the low clouds – I’m keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow will turn out to be a good sunny day and that the weather forecast is totally wrong!!

Tonight’s restaurant – Styx – in the old harbour area

Our tonight’s dinner – linguine with seafood for me and JohnyDorby grilled fish for Gerry

Finally, we get to see the sun as it sets down in the low clouds

Still watching the sunset from the restaurant

An unexpected sunset view while having dinner tonight

Back at the hotel, had time for a drink before getting ready for bed. We are getting accustomed to the Kiwi ways – by 10 pm the streets are really quiet and everyone is back at their own homes or hotels…….. Not much going on at night……

Well tomorrow we will be using the car again as we will be driving to Blenheim and the day after we will be crossing over to the North Island – time is now going real fast……Good night all xx

Nelson – will it rain or shine?

Friday, 12^th January 2018

Another day started off with the alarm going off at 7.30 – we’re supposed to be retired but it’s really hard (and enjoyable) work travelling around in New Zealand!

First thing I did was to open the curtains – an lo and behold! No rain!! Has our luck turned finally? Gerry had taken a picture to send off to his family to let them know we finally had good weather – but alas – this did not last so long.

The first rays of sun and a patch of blue skies when we opened our curtains this morning in Westport – Promising!!

After having had breakfast with our host Michelle, we were ready to continue our journey – this time leaving Westport and travelling up north to Nelson – some 225 km, which normally would take some 3.5hours to drive. Today’s designated driver was Gerry – I was glad he chose to drive as immediately after leaving Westport, the rains came again. Westport is known as a coal-mining town, but it’s also a base for outdoor adventures. Because of the rain we have had, we didn’t really want to spend more time around here and wanted to reach sunny Nelson.

The road to Nelson was scenic and interesting, beginning with the dark, forbidding Buller Gorge in which the Buller River flows through the deep canyon between Westport and Murchinson.

Our first stop was at the Kilkenny Lookout. Here we had a very good view of the Buller River which rushed through the Buller Gorge . The current was really strong due to all the rainfalls we’ve had these last few days but the scenery was magnificent and worth getting a bit wet to take some pictures.

A stop at this lookout point over the Buller River

We stopped again and this time at the Upper Buller Gorge as we wanted to cross the river with the longest (110 meter) swingbridge – this was a really great experience and we managed to take quite some pictures. It spans the pink granite lined gorge where the river runs and once on the other side we explored the walk where in 1929 the epicenter of a great earthquake was centred. This was very well marked and interesting to see that at one specific point the rocks jutted some 4.5 meters upwards after the earthquake. On our walk around this area, we came face to face with a family of kiwis – yes the real ones – birds! Quite strange actually as these are nocturnal creatures but perhaps due to the darkness created by the rains and the dark woods, they must have been misguided…

It was raining quite a bit so that put us off crossing the river again per zip line as we had to wait a while – so once again we crossed the swingbridge and got back to the car completely soaked!

The walk we took after crossing the river in the swing bridge

The river flanked by the pink granite rock walls

After the 1929 earthquake the earthquake here was upthrusted 4.5 meters

This is where the fault line of the different plates cross over

Little kiwi bird walking a bit disoriented

Height of river floods with 2010 being the highest

climbing up the steps to get back on the other side from where we started

We had our lunch in the car as we drove on towards Nelson – what at first seemed as though the weather was clearing up, we came into another rainstorm!! It just didn’t want to stop!!

We finally arrived at Nelson and our GPS directed us towards the harbour – the first things we saw were loads of containers and Gerry remarked whether I had booked to stay in a container for the next two days – just in time, and before I could get nasty, we saw the Harbour Lodge on the right side. A cute little place and lovely people at the reception desk. I had booked a harbour view room and indeed we had the perfect room with a balcony overlooking the yacht marina. However when I asked about the coming days’ weather forecast, I was told that the storm should arrive over Nelson this evening and that it would last for the coming two days!! We were told that the farmers really needed the rain badly as it hadn’t rained in the last 6 weeks………..

on our hotel room balcony overlooking the yacht marina

Gerry admiring the view – even though it started to rain

After settling in and checking our social media, we went for dinner just across from the Harbour Lodge – The Anchor Inn – and had a really great meal! Tonight it’s early back to our hotel as it’s impossible to go for a walk around in this rain – hopefully the rain falls all tonight and tomorrow we will be able to wander around as it is market day on Saturday!

Catch of the day beautifully presented on a bed of mushroom and prawn risotto together with roast vegetables

My friend Eve,got me hooked onto apple cider – this is not wine that I am drinking …..

Gerry’s final attack on the vanilla ice cream …..

Driving to Franz Josef Glacier

Wednesday, 11^th January 2018

Woke up to yet another day of rain – my idea of going for a morning walk on the beach was blown away – so we took our time having our showers and getting coffee and fruit ready for our meager breakfast – we were off by 9.30 am as today we had another long drive through the west coast highway to Franz Josef Glacier some 230km! We were hoping that the weather would be somewhat drier but we had no such luck and to add to it all, we had fog and mist that we could hardly see the mountains.

Before getting out of Haast, we filled up the car once more with petrol and we thought we could get some coffee here – but no such luck! However we did walk down to the beach and saw the great waves – one of the guys on the beach told us that he had seen some dolphins swimming – but we couldn’t spot them! So we continued our drive and indeed it was scenic enough but the mountains were covered with low hanging clouds and then the rains came – even heavier than yesterday – and of course I was the designated driver today as well!! I’m thankful that the rental car is brand new clocking only 1500 km when we picked it up at Queenstown airport.

Finally I do get to walk on the beach before leaving Hannah’s Homestead in Haast

And that’s Gerry already walking back to the car

Our first stop was at a Lookout post over the dunes on one side and the mountains on the other – Ship’s Creek – stunning views from the lookout tower and several walks either into the dunes or to the swamps – but as soon as we started walking, we got bitten with sandflies so back to the car to get our Deets insect repellent.

Very similar to the Titanic- this ship was built to sail within 60 days from Liverpool to Melbourne but due to the tyrannic captain, the ship ran aground on a sand plate…..

The watch tower at Ship’sCreek which i climbed for a better view

The dune walk which we never did as we were attacked by the sand flies

After this stop we drove some 20 km and finally we found our breakfast – or brunch – place – A salmon farm with a café. We had the most superb Egg Benedict with smoked salmon and a great cappuccino!

The luscious rain forest on or way up to the salmon farm and cafe

There were really large salmon swimming in this pond

Gerry starting on his breakfast – Egg Benedict

After our breakfast and some walking around we continued on our trip and had another stop at Lake Paringa – such a beautiful lake with beautiful reflections. This was a free camping site as well and there were a few tents and campers around. An interesting warning was that if there was a lot of rain , the lake waters could rise high into the grounds and campers should take note of that – well in this case, campers alongside the lake did not expect this to happen!!

Parking our car to walk down to the lake

Apparently with heavy rains and melting snow, the water can rise up to here so campers are warned

However these campers have no problem with rising waters

If only we had some blue skies to go with the tranquility

Final picture before heading back to the car and the rains

Back in the car, we finally made it to Franz Josef Glacier! And amidst the clouds we could finally get a glimpse of the glacier, high above! But it was still raining so we made our way to the Top 10 Holiday Park where we were booked in for 1 night. Our plan was to be able to go up to the glacier the same afternoon but it was raining constantly so no such luck. We did some grocery shopping to have some stuff for breakfast and after walking around the township decided to stop for a beer for Gerry and a ginger beer for me. In the meantime we were getting puckish so we thought we would do just like the Kiwi’s and have an early “tea” – seafood chowder, which really warmed us up!

By the time we had our meal, it stopped raining and we thought that now we had a chance to go up to the Franz Josef Glacier. We drove to the base and there we saw that because of the swelling waters, we could only get a far as 750 meters from the tip of the glacier. Unfortunately the rain started all over again and by the time we got back to the car, we were completely drenched. The weather gods have not been really kind to us!!

The first glimpse of Franz Josef glacier when we arrived at the park g place

Notices to explain to hikers obligatory outfit and weather conditions

Franz Josef Glacier – as far as we could get due to the bad weather

This is as far as we could get to the glacier

This is as far as we could walk to the glacier

When we got back to the holiday park, we arrived at the same time as our neighbours who turned out to be also Dutch and the men started talking and found out that that both had been sea faring! So while I was writing up my blog, they enjoyed a beer together ……..

It was early to bed as tomorrow we’re off to Westport and that is some 275 kilometers drive up the west coast – will prayers help to get good weather tomorrow?????

Driving from Te Anau to Haast on the West Coast

Tuesday 9^th January 2018

13 JANUARY 2018 – TODAY UPDATED MY BLOG WITH PICTURES – ENJOY!

TODAY’S BLOG IS WITHOUT PHOTOS DUE TO THE POOR INTERNET PROVIDED AT OUR MOTEL! WILL ADD THEM ON ONCE I HAVE BETTER CONNECTIONS!! HOPE YOU CAN ENJOY MY STORY WITHOUT THE PICTURES – ONLY TEMPORARY!

Had our breakfast again outside our Gypsy Vanner – warm and sunny and said goodbye to the house pets, Oscar the terrier and Victor the cat! We were ready to take on the long drive from Te Anau up to Haast on the west coast. When planning this trip I had looked up the distances and I registered 287km in 3hr.50mins.

Well at the end of the day we had done some 356 km and taken some 6 hours to get here including all the stops we made to take pictures, have coffee, visit the toilets (which I must say are really modern and clean all over NZ) and have lunch.

We started driving at 9.45 am and left sleepy quiet Te Anau quite easily – no traffic jams here – perhaps only when there are a number of campers touring around – otherwise quite alone on the road. Again I was the designated driver for the day with Gerry making an excellent co-pilot!

Our first stop for coffee was at Garston having switched onto another highway (highways here are main 2 lane roads). Although a tiny little village with only 108 residents and a hotel and excellent public toilets, we found an information board (outside the toilet area – just in case you needed to wait!) describing the village as a gold mining village which started off with 2 sheep farmers setting up their farms here. Also notably is the fact that Garston, as a village stands right in the middle of New Zealand! Another fact the coffee was excellent!!

Our trip today starting from Te Anau and finishing in Haast

Garston was our coffee stop and we got to know that this village is right in the middle of NZ

Gerry under the signpost stating the distances to Dunedin and other towns

We continued driving along the Highway 6 and for the third time drove along Lake Wakatipu on our way to Queenstown. In Kingston we stop to fill up the car and then continued along the scenic route – we did stop one time and this was at The Devil’s Staircase – appropriately named due to the lookout punctuating the winding road and sheer rock formation leading down to the lake. Today the view was magnificent as we had clear skies! Incidentally this is the third time we are driving along the lake – first time with Ralph and Eve on our way to Queenstown, second time when we came down to Te Anau and now on our way up to Haast.

Continuing our drive, we sidetracked Queenstown and made our way to Wanaka where we would stop for lunch. Our hosts at Te Anau, explained to us that there were two ways of getting to Wanak – over the mountain range or round the mountain range – well for us we thought both would be good and did not make much difference in the time we needed to get to Wanaka. Anyway our GPS took us over the mountain range with Mount Cardrona reaching 1.936 meters. This road had so many hairpin bends and we kept on climbing till we reached one point where we stopped to take pictures and admire the views. Way down below lay Queenstown on the Lake Wakatipu – this was really a spot on top of the world with mountain ranges and golden rolling hills beneath us. Actually this pass, the Crown Range Summit,at 1.076 meters above sea level, is the highest sealed road in New Zealand. In 1860 W.Reese and and P.von Tunselman were the first Europeans to cross this pass in search of good pasture grounds for their sheep. Early in 1863, gold diggers used this route to get to towns such as Arrotown and Skippers diggings.

Fantastic views from up on the pass first used by to Europeans to herd sheep

Waiting for Gerry to take pictures of the valley

We continued from here on a descent and came to the quaint little village of Cardrona This was a popular place during the gold rush when its population rose to over a thousand – now it’s a sleepy village with hotel and only wakes up when the ski season begins.

Our next stop was at Wanaka – what a pretty lakeside town this is! Similar to Queenstown but more laid back – although there are quite a number of holiday resorts built on the outskirts of the town. And to our great relief, it was bright and sunny and temperatures reached well over 26 degrees. We sat outdoors to enjoy a salad lunch and of course Gerry had to have his vanilla ice cream as a desert. This was a late lunch and after a little walk along the lakeside, we just relaxed under a tree before setting off on our final leg of our journey for today!

Lake Wanaka – surrounded by playful activities for both old and young

In the distance, holiday homes reaching the lakeside

I think this is certainly an important event

A great idea in Wanaka – along the walkside , there are tiles and they depict an event that took place in that year – of course a number of tiles are still empty….

Gerry having his first ice cream in days!!

And time to leave Wanaka to continue our trip

We were now wel on the way towards the Haast Pass with enough bends, high and low roads with waterfalls and gushing springs all the way. I imagined we were in Jurassic park, all the luscious ferns and various tints of green foliage surrounding the roadways – which dinosaur would we soon come across?

At one point we saw, what we thought snow up on the mountains but getting closer, we saw that these were melting waters – we had to get out of the car and the noise of the rushing waters was thunderous! A couple of photos snapped quickly and we were again on our way towards the ocean. After 2 hours we arrived in Haast but we still had a long way to get to our motel which I though was on the beach – well in actual fact it was but because it was so grey and rainy, we couldn’t tell the difference between sea and sky – We certainly could hear the waves crashing on the shore!!

Not snow but gushing waters thundering down the mountainside

Gerry enjoying the view and happy to be out of the car

Final view before we continued onto Haast

Got ourselves settled in our motel and after freshening up, we thought of taking another drive to Jackson Bay – some 20 km further down – ands here we actually saw the Pacific Ocean! Mission accomplished!

Drove to Jackson Bay – some 20km further down the road in the rain forest and then all of a sudden she saw the ocean – or really the Tasman Sea!

A view of the pier jutting out – only a few fishermen around

This stone commemorates the landing of some 400 settlers who stayed in this area for 3 years before moving on

fishing is the only work there is for the few families living here

Back at the motel, it was an early night – tomorrow we’re off to Franz Josef Glacier and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the weather gods will show us some clemency!!

Sailing the Milford Sound

Monday, 8th January 2018

It was an early start today and the weather seemed quite promising for our trip to Milford Sound on the west coast of New Zealand. Actually Captain James Cook chartered the map of New Zealand on his first visit in 1769-70 but completed ignored the fjords of Milford Sound ( for the rest he was quite accurate!!)

I was nominated as the designated driver for the day, but driving here in NZ is actually stressless! And as you cannot drive harder than 100km, we don’t miss any of the wonderful sceneries we were presented with every bend in the road.

The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is some 125km through NZ’s largest national parks. Well of course we were not alone on the road as Te Anau is a towns were most tourists stay over to Milford Sound so immediately we were following a caravan of coaches, campers and cars!! Our first stop to see the awesome sights was at the Mirror Lakes which was only 56 km away from Te Anau but took us an hour to get there.These are small tarns (mountain lakes) on the roadside providing outstanding reflective views of the Earl Mountains. There were of course quite a number of tourists stopping here……..

Our first stop to relax from our 125km drive at Mirror Lakes – only 56 km away from Te Anau

As the board says, this is a World Heritage Area

Interesting to see such a sign in the lake – you know you are at Mirror Lake

Another view of of the Earl Mountains in the lakes

Water gurgling over the rocks and pebbles

Further on the road, we came to Cascade Creek after crossing a single lane bridge. This was a perfect place to stop and stretch our legs and admire the views of the rushing waters.

On the other side of the bridge the Falls cascading down to meet the creek

Falls Creek – such thundering noise as it comes down the mountain side

Not yet too cold to pose in T-shirt and shorts

From this point, we continued our drive until we arrived to Homer Tunnel – dug at an altitude of 945 meters above sea level, the tunnel pierces sheer rock to allow road access to Milford Sound. The tunnel of 1.2km was finished in 1953 and was considered a great achievement at that time. Luckily our waiting time was not too long as this tunnel is a single lane and controlled by traffic lights. But we used the time to take pictures of the mountains. The weather here started changing so we were wondering what it would be like at the other end…….

Part of the mountain range shrouded in clouds

more mountains and clouds and a little bit of blue skies

Finally we arrived at Milford Sound and got our tickets for our 2pm fjord cruise taking us about 2.5 hours with also a visit to the underwater observatory and a lunch bag for on the way. This a most interesting cruise – even though the weather turned against us. The waterfalls, highest mountain peaks rising from the ocean, the cruise ship sailing along, getting close to one of the waterfalls to get a “glacial facial” and of course the seals lazing around on the rocks and the huge dolphins swimming around us. This was a fantastic day with many beautiful scenes imprinted in our memories. So thankful that we had this day!! And even more thankful that by the time we made it back to Te Anau, we had bright sunshine and the temperatures were up to 26 degrees!!!

A Shot of Adrenaline on the Jet Boat

Sunday, 7^th January, 2018

This morning the alarm clock went off at 7.30 am but I was ever so tired still, I just could not get out of bed – I’m blaming the cider I was drinking last night – but it could be of course that we have been getting on with so many activities and also so many impressions to take in! I keep on saying, New Zealand is such a beautiful country with so many different and unspoiled sceneries.

Just before 9 am, Eve and ralph came to say their goodbyes – they were getting a head start back to Dunedin as they expected quite some heavy traffic due to most people returning home after their Christmas (summer) holidays. As we keep saying, it’s not actually goodbye that we say to each other but rather “tot ziens” or see you later……..

The TSS Earnslaw arriving to take on new passengers for a tour of the lake

Nice to know facts about the lady of the lake – the TSS Earnslaw – originally built in Dunedin and shipped to Queenstown in a dismantled way

Coal being unloaded into the ship’s hold

Men at work – ensuring all the coal for shovelled into the hold

We continued packing our stuff and just before 10 am we were ready to vacate our suite. We packed our rental car but left it in the hotel parking garage as we were off to the harbour for a nice stroll and coffee at one of the lakeside café’s – PIER – Yesterday we had made a good deal with the Jet boat company and we were to leave on a trip at 13.00 as the price for that time slot was discounted

Well we arrived on time to get fitted with a raincoat and a life vest. The same girl who had sold us the tickets yesterday quickly spotted us and we were taken on board as first passengers and hence got a very good seating in the front row. Our jet boat driver, Ethan, explained what we were about to experience and actually from that moment it was one big fun experience. Initially I thought I would be sea sick – but no such chance…….. pictures were taken and even a video film – anyway an hour was soon over but at least we saw beautiful scenery both at the lake as well as the two rivers: Kawarau and Shotover. The Shotover River was panned for gold back in the 1860’s. Actually the gold rush started off when two farmhands discovered gold in the river. By 1863, around 12.000 miners worked at the banks of Shotover River.

Gerry getting ready for his adrenaline shot

Also being harassed into a life jacket and a raincoat

Back at lakeside, we had a quick lunch as we both were ravenous – this time at the Pub, Pog Mahones, and of course we both chose fish and chips! Once we had eaten we walked up the hill to fetch our car ffrom the garage and around 15.30 we were well on our way to our next destination: Te Anau.

I was the designated driver because I had more experience with driving on the left hand side, however my experience with an automatic car is less so! No problem – Gerry was my co-pilot and with Eve’s GPS we made it to our next address in Te Anau so that we could go to Milford Sound the following day!

After a two hour drive, she arrived at Te Anau and we have the cutest little Gypsy Vanner for the next two nights – The cat Victor comes often to visit but the dog, Oscar remains mainly with the hosts – John and Karilyn. After settling down we took a drive in the neighbourhood but we also had to have something to eat before it was too late and everything started closing… And then finally it was time for bed!!

The other end of the Vanner with fridge, table etc….

Our cosy Gypsy Vanner – the bed just fits in!

This is our neighbour – a wonderful cute cate called Bictor

Our late late evening dinner – smoked salmon on a bed of mixed salad for me and a gigantic burger for Gerry

This is were we will be having our breakfast tomorrow morning!

Wine Tasting at Gibbston Valley

Today the activity of the day was a Wine Cave Tour of New Zealand’s largest and most innovative wine cave. So this meant that again we had to set our alarm clocks for an early start as by 9 am we were out of our hotel and were walking down the hill to Queenstown town centre where we were going to be picked up – but first coffee and toast at Starbucks! We were picked up punctually at 10.am and were off for a half hour drive to the Gibbston Valley Road situated between two ranges of mountains. On the way a commentary by our knowledgeable chauffeur.

We were being driven to the site: Gibbston and Bendigo sub regions which have a semi continental climate with temperatures rising to 30 degrees centigrade during daytime and 5 degrees at night. Apparently these are perfect conditions for the vines. Alan Brady – an ex TV presentation in New Zealand started his vineyards back in 1983 when New Zealand had no wine history and grew his winery to being one of the finest and largest in NZ.

On arrival we were met by our guide, Jolande, a very pleasant and knowledgeable Asian young lady, who took us first to the oldest vineyard – Home Block. She explained that fruit from this historic Home Block Vineyard produced the Central Otago’s first commercial vintage in 1987 and was recently certified organic by BioGro New Zealand. Gibbston Valley’s 2014 vintage is their first to be certified organic. Home Block’s high-quality fruit is used in several of single vineyard varietals including Le Dulcinée Gewürztraminer, Le Fou Riesling and Le Maître Pinot Noir. Interesting to know that one vine in that block produces initially some 18 bunches of grapes but these are trimmed down to 8 in January so that the vine can concentrate on putting all its energy to those bunches of grapes – and to produce one bottle of Pinot Noir! The vineyard in this block has some 16.000 vines which means an annual production of 16.000 bottles of Pinot Noir! No wonder the New Zealand wine is so expensive!!!!

part of the buildings where wine is made

he first vineyards planted by Alan Brady in 1983

But we decided to wait outdoors as the weather was magnificent

A variety of the wine produced at Gibbston Valley

Jolande our wine tour guide giving us in depth description of the vineyards

more detailed picture of the grapes – Pinot Noir – which still have to be reduced to 8 bunches this month

Our next stop was wine tasting in the wine cave! Apparently the wine cave is manmade as dynamite was used to explode in the mountain and create a cave which is some 30 meters deep and 4 meters wide. As soon as we went in there, we could breath in the wine fumes which we quickly got used to! There the wine tasting began – we had four different wines starting with a Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Riesling ( which I did not really like as it was somewhat sweet) and then a Rose’ which was very pleasant and finally the Pinot Noir. It’s a good thing we had breakfast as I would have been quite drunk – mind you Gerry helped me with the drinking as I was continually emptying my glass into his.

We were still sober when we entered the cave for our wine tasting

This is the wine library: there are bottles of wine for every’s production

The barrels are made of oak and are numbered – the first two digits is the year and the second two digits is the sequence number

The various types of wine produced at Gibbston Valley

It was a good thing that after the wine tasting we were having lunch, as we had worked up quite a good appetite. Our lunch was also paired with a glass of wine that would go with the choice of our meals. While I went for a starter and a main, Gerry, Eve and Ralph went for a starter and a desert.It was very pleasant sitting outdoors for our lunch and the food was exquisite of taste and fine in presentation – actually a work of art!! Our choice was as follows:

Roast vegetables, hummus, Ras el Hanout, labne – my starter
BBQ lamb rump, smoked eggplant, heirloom tomato, feta, coriander – Gerry’s main dish
Market fish Cioppino, mussels, clams, rouille, sourdough – my main dish
Free range chicken, charred witlof, caraway, capers, mustard, nasturtium – main dish for Eve and Ralph
Dark chocolate tart, salted caramel ice cream, espresso mousse, hazelnut praline – dessert for Eve, Ralph and Gerry ( and I had a wee taste of the salted caramel ice cream!)

Just before lunch, I had enough time to visit the Cheesery and after tasting different sorts of cheese which compliment various wines – and beers – I bought a few samples to take back to the hotel as Gerry and I were planning to have Eve and Ralph come over to our suite and enjoy a few beers and cider for the ladies and enjoy all this on our balcony!

our food display was exquisite – but also the taste was so fine!

My fish Cioppinomade out of blue cod, mussels, clams etc

chocolate desert for Eve , Ralph and Gerry

And then it was time for our coach to take us back to Queenstown

Back in Queenstown, we asked our chauffeur to drop us close to the gardens – after that food and wine we needed a good walk – not only to get rid of the calories but also to sober up a bit……

These gardens are sited on a small peninsula on the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu. It is considered one of the finest locations imaginable for a public garden. … The Gardens have strong associations with the history of Queenstown, having been established in 1887 by members of the town’s first Borough Council The first two trees planted at the garden were English oaks in 1866 by the first Mayor of Queenstown to commemorate the incorporation of the borough, but it wasn’t until 1867 that the gardens were officially opened and the major planting began.

After a bit of walking, resting along the lakeside

the two teenagers are now senior citizens….

The jet boat returning from its excursion

The steamship berthed on the other side of the lake

The war memorial as you entered the gardens

Back at the hotel, we took time to freshen up before Ralph and Eve came over to visit – it was the last evening together and it was good that we could just relax on our balcony with the sun fading away. Friendships have made and renewed on this trip and we are truly grateful to both Eve and Ralph for showing us around and certainly for Gerry to go down memory lane together with Ralph – and Eve! Thank you and Au Revoir where ever on this globe!

Eve and Ralph enjoying cheese and beer and cider on our balcony

We saw this at one of the cafe’s where we had breakfast and i think it is appropriateto place here – something Gerry hadn’t done when he returned to Holland after leaving New Zealand!

Queenstown – Holiday town beneath the Remarkables and aside Lake Wakatipu

Friday 5th January 2018

After a great night’s sleep in the super luxurious Villa Motel in Invercargill, we made our way to the first cafe on the way to have our breakfast. We had some 187km to drive along winding roads and the plan was that we should take some 2.5 hours to get to Queenstown, in time for our excursion by the mountain gondola (cable car) ride for lunch and to admire the view over The Remarkables (mountain range) and Coronet Peak.

Our breakfast was at Lumsden, a sleepy little village of a few streets; also called Oreti (Māori) Lying in a gap in the surrounding hills, it is the location of a major junction halfway along the north- south road from Queenstown to Invercargill, where it is crossed by the east-west road from Gore to Te Anau. We stopped at Cafe Route 6 which was very much like an American cafe from the 1950’s with juke box and a half Buik acting as a bar indoors! I am getting accustomed to variety of scones made in New Zealand – and this time I had a spicy sun dried tomato scone with a cappuccino. According to Eve we were on track re timing so once we were on the way, we had another break to take pictures when we reached Lake Wakatipu.

Before leaving Invercargill, Gerry enjoying his cigarette on our balcony at the Villa Motel

Still somewhat cloudy and grey with low hanging clouds

It took us well over an hour to reach Queenstown and then spent some time trying to find a parking place close to the entrance to Gondola cable car. We were lucky and within 10 minutes of arrival we were walking up to the entrance to exchange the voucher for tickets – there was already a long queque but it moved easily. The trip in the cable car went off smoothly and it was ever so quiet as we were going up the mountain side. Once on top we had time to admire the stunning views – even though it was cloudy and grey, the views were still magnificent. There were some other Dutch people who volunteered to take a picture of the four of us and turned out quite good. Then was time for lunch and while the food was good, the restaurant was so packed that it was ever so difficult trying to get to the buffet tables…….

The view with the chart in front to locate the various points

Bungy jumping from an another area on the mountain side

the map of the world made of jelly beans

Once we were back at the car parking, we all made our way to the airport as we had to pick up our rental car – actually a mistake on my part as I had not changed the pick up date to Sunday as Ralph and Eve had planned activities for us till Sunday. But in hindsight it’s no problem as that means when we check out on Sunday, we just get the car out of the garage and start driving to our next destination – Te Anau.

I must say it was quite exciting driving driving in a totally new Automatic Toyota Corolla and of course on the left hand side of the road – mind you I was already used to this driving as I’ve driven often in Malta. Anyway back in Queenstown, we all checked in to our hotel – The Scenic Hotel Suites & Resorts. Perfect hotel, even though we had to walk up and down hill to get to the town centre!! Our (Dutch) legs are not used to walking hills……

After checking in, we went on a drive – according to Eve, this was an extra tour as we were being such good travelling companions – and we went to visit the gold mining town, Arrowtown. This is a charming town and only some 20 minutes away from Queenstown.This mining town sprang up in the 1860’s when there was a rush for gold in the Arrow river. The main street building are all restored as well as the little miners’ cottages off the main street. Once the gold ran out, the town became a fading rural backwater and as there was no pressure to replace the old building with newer houses, Arrotown kept its heritage. This meant that in the turn of the 1900’s Arrowtown was more or less a ghost town! Then in the 1950’s Arrowtown experienced a comeback and the historic buildings have all been restored making it a pleasant place to wander around!

Interesting reading regarding Buckingham Street

part of the Buckingham street with lovely shops

the old miners’ cottages, now housing the police station

After our visit to Arrowtown, we got back to our hotel to freshen up and later in the evening strolled down to Queenstown centre and had a lovely walk around – the town is very touristic but it was good to feel being part of it all. There is such an easy going feeling – families, young backpackers and also citizens falling into our age bracket – everyone mingled together in a relaxing way. And now looking forward to tomorrow’s activity – visiting the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave Tour! Goodnight all!!

Statue of William Reece, who started sheep farming in these areas

All sorts of boats to take the tourists out on the lake

The extinct Moa stood some three meters high

Kiwis standing in front of the kiwi ( or semi Kiwis)

Now that’s a different way of having a zebra crossing!

Goodbye Dunedin! Hello Invercargill

Thursday, 4th January 2018

Today we had an early start – Eve had suggested that we set off on our drive to Invercargill by 8 am so we made sure we had everything packed to carry out to the the car before then. Indeed, both Gerry and i were well ahead of schedule but then I had set my alarm clock for 6 am – enough time to shower and tidy up the downstairs apartment where we have spent the last few days! Although the day started off with grey clouds, we did not get any rain on the way – in fact the sun came out so that by the time we stopped at the Old Sod Cottage – a quaint cottage that was built in the 1860s in the vicinity of Milton as a stopping place for miners heading to the Tuapeka Goldfields – we could feel the warm temperatures!

It’s 8 am and time to say goodbye to this beautiful house where we have spent these last few days. Thanks to our great hosts, Eve and Ralph who are taking us to Invercargill and Queenstown

The little sod house – one of the old settlers house still standing and inside the life of those days is reenacted

And the fire place to keep the cottage and its people warm

On the inside of the Old Sod Cottage, one can see how life was when the first settlers arrived back in the 1800’s

Discussing the early settlers prior to getting back into the car for further drive to Invercargill

We then continued our road trip and it was time that we stopped for our breakfast – we found a really cute place on our way in Owaka which did a perfect hearty breakfast and which we enjoyed out in the garden – Catlins Cafe. Besides enjoying a hearty breakfast of French toast with bacon and maple syrup for Gerry and myself and pancakes with fruit and bacon with maple syrup for Eve and Ralph, we also enjoyed the signs that were put up at this cafe: Bathroom Rules: Gentlemen, stand closer, it is shorter than you think; Ladies, Please remain seated for the entire performance. And another sign before you entered the cafe: Please remove sandy shoes, dirty boots and smelly socks. Luckily we still had clean shoes and socks and we had showered that morning!!

Catlin’s cafe -good that it was open in this sleepy village

Our breakfast cafe after leaving Dunedin

It’s early morning when we saw this sign, however it still put a smile on our faces…..

You’re not expected to bring in your dirty mud into the cafe!

A real tasty breakfast – French toast with bacon and maple syrup and a great cappuccino

On our way again after having having feasted on our breakfast! And the drive further was ever so scenic – well Ralph did choose the scenic route to Invercargill, even though it was a few kilometres longer! Our next stop to stretch our legs and to admire a small waterfall was at the Purakaunui Waterfalls which are one of Otago’s iconic, most-photographed sights. However when we visited, this waterfall was not really gushing as it’s the dry season right now but still we got a very good impression and view of the three tiered falls. The track is a mature beech, fern and fir tree forest and the the light of the sun shining through the woods created wonderful light effects.

Self explanatory – beautiful walk through a 1.000 year old forest with gigantic fern trees and other vegetations – our first break from our car trip to Invercargill – well worth the detour

Gerry, Eve and Ralph walking towards the Purakaunui Falls

Huge fern and fir trees in this ancient forest

Although the waterfalls are not so wild, they are still impressive

We continued on the dirt road till we came out on the main road again and after a few minutes’ drive we came to a fantastic spot where we had to get out and get some pictures take. This was at Florence Hill Lookout and overlooking Tautuku Beach and Jack’s Blowhole which is located in Tunnels Rocks Scenic Reserve. A large cavity that’s 55 metres deep and 200 metres from the sea, the blowhole was formed after a large subterranean cavern caved in. At high tide during a swell, waves are compressed through the underground tunnel and explode out of the blowhole. Unfortunately, it was low tide and we could not see this interesting phenomenon !

At Florence Hill Lookout overlooking Tautuku beach on our way to Invercargill

Tautuku Beach – low tide and very deserted

The spouting cave or Jack’s Blowhole, but unfortunately as it was low tide, we could not see any sea being spouted out of the cavern

We still had a further hour’s drive to Invercargill, so we continued with our drive till we got there – parked the car and got tickets for the first of the museums the men wanted to see ( so us ladies joined too) and that was the Motorbike museum. Obviously Eve and I, though we could appreciate both the antique and more modern motorbikes, we went through the exhibition quicker than the men. My interest was to see the Indian motorbike called the Bullet which still had a speed record that hasn’t yet been broken – driven by Burt Munro back in the 1950’s, it is now displayed in a hardware store!

Fuel pumps at the motorbike museum in Invercargill

Little Italian Vespa with side car – my nephew Gprdon has one of these in his collection but without the side car

Another ancient motorbike with a side seat

Time for an organic apple/cranberry juice for Gerry and myself and of course a chocolate cream cake for Gerry

The old cash register displayed in the hardware store

A vivid memory of my client when i was working at RBS

The old tool shed displayed at the hardware store

And finally it is time to check in to our hotel and after freshening up enjoy a good meal in the restaurant across the road!

The restaurant where we enjoyed a marvellous dinner – Buster Crabb

Our dear friends Ralph and Eve had received the recommendation to dine at the Buster crabb restaurant just opposite our motel in Invercargill

Ralph’s and Gerry’s Cofevce steak – slow cooked for some 20 hours and then char grilled

Last day in Dunedin

WEDNESDAY 3^rd January 2018,

We started off with a relaxing morning as today we were going downtown and meeting up with Kim (Ralph and Eve’s daughter) for coffee at the shopping mall.Actually driving down the hill, we were in the city centre within 10 minutes. There are still lots of shops closed due to the Christmas break but we weren’t exactly here for shopping – although I did get myself 2 new blouses! After coffee, we strolled to the Dunedin station, as I still wanted to get some pictures taken. Luckily at this moment there were no busses parked in front of the station so at least I could get some good shots!

A better view of the station with the borders full of flowers

This is the Dunedin train station where Gerry arrived as a 13 year old boy and left when he was 16

The view from the Octagon to the railway station

Beautifully laid gardens in front of the station

That done, we walked up to the Octagon – this is where both Ralph and Gerry used to hang out after school. But now there are so many café’s and restaurants and by the time we got here it was time for a “brew and a puff” (coffee for us all and a cigarette for Gerry) As we sat outside a pub, the brew became craft beer for the men and cider for me while Eve was the only one who stuck to the “brew” and with our drink we ordered a basket of potato wedges to keep us going through the afternoon.

The potato wedges were for all of us – and not only for Gerry!

Then time to take some more pictures – this time of the Dunedin Town Hall – also a memorable place for all three – this is where the Saturday dances were held – on the one side the Rock and Roll for the younger generation while on the other side there was ballroom dancing for the mature generation…….. Of course dances are not held here any longer but there is an auditorium for other functions and I guess there are enough places for the Dunedin youngsters to hang out nowadays. Next to the City hall there is also a beautiful church and in front of the church there is a statue of Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, whose nephew, a Presbyterian minister, travelled to Dunedin with the first Scottish settlers. An interesting remark over the statue of Robert Burns is that he is sitting with his back to the church but facing the pub!!

Dunedin Town Hall where Gerry, Eve and Ralph used to go to the Saturday dances in one of the halls

the church built on the side of the town hall

Dunedin Town Hall – where all three attended dances in the weekend

The statue of Robert Burns facing the pub and with his back to the church!

Gerry was still looking for his third home in Dunedin on the South Street and although the other day we had gone to the point where it should have been, he thought that it was pulled down to make way for the new highway viaduct. But it seemed that his memory was jogged and so we went back to the same spot and although the house was not as he remembered it, it actually was refurbished as a Chinese takeaway!! Later in the evening, Ralph checked the city archives and did actually find the house, as Gerry had known it!

Gerry’s home is completely on the right side of the of the shop according the the Dunedin archives

Gerry’s home converted into a Chinese take away in 1971

Now Gerry’s memory lane was completed except for one other place – The Dunedin Botanic Gardens! Apparently these gardens are close to the North Road so most of Gerry’s and Ralph’s friends used to hang out here. These are beautiful gardens and I suspect that lots of handholding and first kisses took place here…….. Anyway, the gardens are landscaped against a hill and as it was a warm afternoon, I was quite breathless by the time we made it up to the top part where the aviary was with fantastic native parrot like birds. There were several themes in the garden including the Mediterranean garden, the Cedars of Lebanon as well as a Japanese garden.

A little stream meandering through the gardens at the lower level

Eve and Ralph – they must have more pictures that have been taken in the Botanic gardens over the years

Gerry posing on the little bridge in the gardens

The aviary is high up on the hill and although quite breathless, it was well worth the effort to admire the birds, although they seemed to have their siesta time when we arrived

After our wandering around the Botanic gardens, we returned to Ralph and Eve’s home for drinks and Eve started preparing “tea” – Kim and Murray were to join us tonight as it is our last night in Dunedin and for this occasion, Eve was preparing fried blue cod, salad and chips! We had a fantastic meal and then time to say goodbyes and pack our gear as the plan was that we would be leaving at 8 am tomorrow morning for Invercargill and then onto Queenstown!