Last Week in New Zealand

Obviously at this point I'm getting very lazidasical about my updates - I can only apologise. Alex tells me it's because I've been seperated from my brain...hmmm.

So week commencing Feb 19th. Picked up a not too badly dented car from Rent-a-Dent (where the nice man told me I've have to do serious damage to upset them !) and off we went to Glenorchy for the views and lunch. This is the place where they apparantly filmed most of the scenes for middle earth in Lord of the Rings and the producer (somebody really famous no doubt) was so taken with the place that he bought himself a little mansion up there. It was stunningly beautiful (I really must watch Lords of the Rings sometime) and the lake there has a very unusual geophysical topology - also has like a tide like the sea - according to Maori legend this is where the giant (who abducted a young girl who was then rescued) fell over in his rage over he rescue and his heart still beats (hence the 'tides' in the lake)

Then off we went to the only available accomodation within 90 minutes drive of Doubtful Sound - a very backwater place called Lumsden where we had got a double room with shared facilities for the bargin price of $NZ 60 (approx 20 quid). Actually it far exceeded my expectations - it was clean and there was no polyester in sight ! Had a great time with both the locals and other residents - who were basically in the same situation as ourselves !

Doubtful Sound was one of the best days I've ever had. Apart from the total beauty, we got one of only about 10 days per year of perfect weather. We also went to visit the underground hydro power station (with quite fascinating history) - one of the 16 deaths resulting from its construction was a bar brawl over one of the 2 females in the 1800 population at the time (see women - always causing trouble !!) Then we went for dinner in TeAnau and met 2 Irish people - one frOm Kilkenney and one from Tullamore.

Next day (Wednesday) we drove to Dunedin ('Edinburgh of the Southern Hemisphere'). En route went past 2 signs that amused us - first one said 'Reduce Speed'. Second one said 'No Doctors, No hospitals, One Cemetery'.

Dunedin is the capital wildlife of New Zealand, the largest city in NZ by area, the 5th largest in the world by area, houses the only mainland Albatross coloney in the world and had NZ's most photgraphed building (railway station) there. Found it a very pleasant place although the newly arrived 2,500 freshers livened it up in parts !! Bit chillier than what we were used to, but didn't start the serious rain till we were ready to leave so it was all ok.

So on Friday we drove back towards Queenstown stopping at a winery, which had been recommended for lunch. Sharing platters made it a different and great stop. Popped into Arrowtown - very much worth the visit. Stayed overnight in Parnell village in Queenstown before heading to the airport on Saturday to catch our international flight to Sydney.

After a month in NZ - I can only say that we both loved it and would love to spend more time here. And there is lots I haven't updated in the blog in case I would bore you too much !! Will try and do a quick Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Ocean Drive and Adelaide update before we leave Australia - cannot believe we only have just over a week left before home !)

Take care

Ursula & Alex