We decided
to head south for our annual Xmas camping trip. That was the plan anyway, but
we somehow ended up leaving the tent at home and staying in half decent
accommodation for a change. We are definitely getting a bit soft in our dotage.
We stayed
at Lake Manapouri and Queenstown. Lake Manapouri is I reckon New Zealand’s
prettiest lake, which makes it very pretty indeed. Queenstown is a big brash
international resort and as such is most un-Kiwi like. It is also the countries
“adventure capital” with any number of ways of scaring yourself witless.
As ever the
weather was mostly wet and miserable and was even cold enough for some snow up
on the tops. This didn’t stop us getting out and about and we managed to visit
Arrowtown (a bit rubbish – best seen in Autumn), Glenorchy (not much there, but
what a drive) and Doubtful Sound (awesome and wet) as well as getting in a few
tramps.
Lake Manapouri
Doubtful Sound
Lake Manapouri. It was a bit wet but the waterfalls sort of made up for it.
Lake Te Anau.
Lake Wakatipu.
Queenstown.
About to risk life and limb on Queenstown's "Luge".
This one was taken on a tramp to Ben Lomond.
