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Hi all,
It was time to battle the huge mountain that looks down over Queenstown. Instead of taking the Gondola up it, the new hardy walking shoes came out and we made the steep 1 hour climb to the summit. Well worth the effort as when we arrived, we crossed a bridge where 'Luges' whizzed beneath us, a Helicopter came and landed on the big 'H' painted on the landing pad and the view over Lake Wakatipu was astounding. That was all in the first 3 minutes of being there. Within two more minutes power gliders were sailing past overhead. We then walked through the visitors centre and out the other side where the descending Gondola greeted us, along with another AJ Hackett Bungy site, the rest of the luge run and the view down to the residential area of Queenstown. Wow! The Skyline Summit was like a little town all in itself. So much was going on up there, it was quite bizarre but awesome.
There was time to watch a bungy swing and then we headed back down the side of the mountain. Far easier on the descent! Back in town, the sun had pretty much set for the evening and the cold had bitten back. It was time to say goodbye for good to Queenstown. Sadly - and I say sadly as for all the places I've been to on my travels so far (in a Western World), I could quite happily see me setting up shop and living there. We drove out through the Gorge and headed for Wanaka.
After stopping out in the middle of nowhere again for the night, it was midday before we decided to get moving again. First stop, just outside Wanaka, was 'Puzzle World'. I reverted back to being a kid for an hour or so, gazing at one of the largest displays of holographic images in the world and then trying not to fall over as I entered the 'illusion room' - I watched as water mysteriously climbed up-hill and a snooker ball rolled into an up-hill pocket.....doo doo dooo dooo!!! We played around outside with a huge leaning clock tower - all optical illusions and good fun - see the pics!
From there, it was into Wanaka and as it was Bank Holiday Monday, there was quite an atmosphere with lots of locals drinking out in the sun. A walk about showed that there really wasn't much in town, but it was nice all the same and with Lake Wanaka lying by the side of it, you can see why it's a tourist attraction.
The sleeping issue was a bit of a problem that night as everywhere said 'No Camping' again. Still not really understanding where we're allowed and not allowed to sleep we decided to ignore the signs and bed down beside the lake. It seemed like a good idea, but at 6.05am there was a heavy knock on the window and once again, a member of the Council was there waving his notice, warning us not to camp here again....Doh! Oh well - we're leaving that night, so no harm done...!
A walk around the lake, spending time viewing a really interest art exhibition and then it's time to embark on the long journey up towards Franz Josef - the glacier where the hiking will begin - in a day or two. Brrr, it's going to be cold! Also just heard in the Internet place that it may well snow tonight....wrap up warm me thinks! Well , in the one jumper I've got that is.
Bye for now
Miffy x x x
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