The group reconvened this morning for breakfast at a lovely restaurant in Queenstown called Halo, and we set of in the van about 9:30 towards Wanaka , a charming lakeside town that seems like a smallish Queenstown. We drove over the Cadrona Saddle through the Crown range, and it was so foggy that we wondered if there might even be snow at the elevation. Once through the pass, the sun was shining and the air was warm and we set off for the morning activity of a hike up to Mount Iron. The views from the top, which was about a 3,500 ft elevation, were stunning, both Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea were visible, with the mountain ranges beyond. All the mountains here are part of the Southern Alps, but every peak has a name, most of which I can’t remember. It was a strenuous up hill, but worth every step, and once down at the bottom, we walked into town for lunch along the lake front. It was a gorgeous morning.
The plan for the afternoon was cycling, so we were outfitted with mountain bikes and started our 16 mile journey along the Te Araroa track at the neck between the two lakes. The trail followed the Hawea and then the Clutha rivers throughout the rugged Central Otago landscape, and alongside Lake Wanaka and the million dollar homes (++++) along the lake front. I’m not ordinarily a huge fan of mountain biking — gives me a bit of a headache — but this track was undulating and along the rivers and lakes and quite lovely. There were a few bits of road which were like washboard (I was reminded of the path on the way to the beach at Chappaquidick) — so much so that I had to ride with my seat out of the seat! Once back at the town center and lake front, we enjoyed orange Popsicles and some time in front of the lake where a few of us took on some yoga to stretch out the kinks.
A short ride this evening (with a few photo ops along the way) brought us to Makarora, and the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park. The drive along the northern end of Lake Wanaka displayed the mountains of the park as a backdrop, with Mt Aspiring the highest peak (about 9,000 feet). We are staying in accommodations which are cute “A” frame chalets scattered along a hillside. There’s a main cabin with a kitchen where our chef and co-guide, Joe, created a brilliant Thai salad for dinner. And as a treat, he grilled up some fish that several of our group caught yesterday on their fishing excursion during the day off in Queenstown. I can hear the bird life already, and have been warned that the chirps and calls will wake me up in the morning. And tomorrow is a big day — through the Haast Pass to the west coast and up to the Franz Josef Glacier. Activities contingent on weather, so all fingers are crossed.
It was a long but wonderful day, with more jaw-dropped scenery and some rigorous exercise. Just another day in summer in NZ.
Ok now I see no pictures. Hope you catch up with them soon after such wonderful descriptions. Very curious how the rest of the group is structured and doing with the ambitious program.