Anne here …
Arrowtown – touristy, an American style Wild West gold mining town. But great fun and very picturesque. And wet, it’s raining. Fab, fab, fab breakfast in the hotel with roaring log fires, we could smell the woodsmoke in the room. Paul had eggs benedict and I had pancakes with bacon, banana, and maple syrup. Not a combination I had tried before but not bad at all. We had a pleasant walk up and down the very picturesque high street and popped in the local museum.
Now onto Wanaka . . . Via the scenic route.
The New Zealanders name every stream! I had noticed this before but having just passed Cardrona creek no. 1, Cardrona creek no.2 . . . And so . . . to Cardrona creek no. 10 (and I suspect there is more to come) I felt the need to comment. We have stopped in Cardrona which is in the middle of nowhere on the scenic route between Arrowtown and Wanaka and there are ” lifestyle plots” of land for sale so you can build affordable housing away from the rat-race.
The autumn colours of the countryside are just stunning. We are driving through rolling hills rather steep mountains. I suspect that it very popular for skiing in the winter.
Lake Wanaka . . . WOW. We arrived in steady rain but that cleared up while we were eating lunch – a chicken, bacon and Brie panini – that seems to be a favourite combination round here. Now the drive to Mount Cook starts . . . About 128 miles.