Queenstown and Wanaka

Arrived tired,we had not appreciated that the flight from Tokyo to Auckland was a further 10 hours, with then having to endure the rigours of "Biosecurity " at Immigration (cleanest walking boots ever but a dog picked up 'eau de previously consumed clementine' on Nic's rucksack) and then we had to await the connecting flight to Queenstown.

However, the wonderful lakeside setting, our first rack of lamb and Pinot Noir and a long sleep ensured we were up for the next day's Shotover Jet Boat experience,a great trip out along the Shotover valley and then a pretty hair raising ride through the canyon. We also just enjoyed walking around the Lake admiring the stunning view of the Remarkables  range of mountains.  

Wanaka

A scenic 2 hour mini bus ride with the usual chatty semi-retired driver to a quieter version of Queenstown where we stayed with a very pleasant lesbian couple who warmed to us when we realised we had met one of their fathers when staying at his farmhouse accommodation on the Isle of Wight.

We hired bikes for a great ride along the lake and feeder river, picnicking in the sunshine, followed by the next day, one of the best walks we have ever done,to the Rob Roy glacier (place names  in this part of the world being full of Scottish references ) a lengthy walk in the sun towards and ascending to an impressive glacier surrounded by waterfalls.

A further local walk up Mount Iron gave us an appetite for a series of superb meals.

We also had some fun at "Puzzle Land" with a tricky maze and perspective fooling rooms.

 

After a couple of days we took the bus back to Queenstown and our Airbnb on the outskirts. We then met up with Robert and Liz for our Gibbertson Valley Wine Trail bike tour the next day. Our route took us past younger and braver folks than ourselves bungee jumping off a bridge into a deep gorge. Head dipping into the river below was optional!

Much wine was tasted  though 16 tastings with lunch interfered with our over ambitious "visit every winery" intentions. Peregrine wines were the stand out. The trip also allowed us to "do" Arrowtown, a well preserved 19C mining village en route.