Day 29/30 Lake Wanaka

Got a room at the YHA today in Wanaka and spent seometime looking around the small town, what a lovely place. . . I presume that you came here Lee when you visited but that would have been in the Winter no doubt completely different now (see photos), but no doubt just as beautiful in both cases/ Plenty of good shops, some very up-market with a well stocked Supermarket which is very important as the small towns charge so much more for groceries. Had a couple of hours walk around part of the lake with a nice Resort (more your kind of thing Lin) 400$-600$ pe night. Quite a lazy day really just relaxing the legs to tomorrow.

Day 31 Wanaka -Cardrona - Queenstown

Off early to tackle the highest highway in NZ @ 1080 metres. First 25k gradually climbing, stopped at Cardrona Hotel (1885) in the gold mining era for drinks before the Crown Saddle climb,wonderful views over mountain ranges and down the valley to Queensland. Met a couple with 6 kids ranging from 14 to 2 who are doing the cycling holiday (yes boys you have not been the only ones to be dragged around the country). Popped into Arrowtown which was very picturesque with shop -fronts untouched for years but the merchandice very up-market. Queenstown was a completely different story, very large centre with shops from MacDonalds to Louis Vuiton and extremely expensive (sorry if I have spelt it wrong Lynda, not too good on these things - as you know). The town is noisy day and night with, of course, tourists from everywhere over the country converging here. Its quite amazing, mountain ranges all around us and then this madness in the middle (civilisation) with it's excesses. There is a cable-car up to a very expensive restaurant overlooking Queenstown. Met up with David and Sabine (the Swiss couple) which was really lovely and had an evening meal with them. Keith had to use his ear-plugs as every man and his dog was out there until very late or shoulld I say early mornin g.

Day 32 Queenstown

Remained in Queenstown today to book a shuttle to take us onto TeAnau for tomorrow. Our alternative was to cross Lake Wakatipa by steam ferry across the lake and then 50k of dirt road to Mavora Lakes but only camping available, so that's out as we do not have camping equipment on our bikes (what a shame - yeah right). We will do this part of the journey by bus shuttle and will met David & Sabine at TeAnau (they are younger than us and like camping in the rain!!!!). We are spending the rest of the day around the town and mainly EATING! Love to everyone.