SPL#2 - NZ Trip (1-11Nov 07) Day 6
DAY 6 - NOV 6, 2007
I was awoken by the sound of the engines, bright and early. We were going to cruise the full length of Milford Sound this morning out to the Tasman Sea and back.
It was another extremely cold morning, and the mist we exhaled when talking to each other confirmed my suspicions.
While cruising the Sound, the skipper drove the boat really close to the waterfalls so everybody could get some nice close up shots and an opportunity to get themselves wet if they wanted. There was water coming down from the waterfalls, splattering all over the deck, bouncing off the surface to whoever and whatever was there.
Breakfast was served shortly after and consisted of hash browns, bacon, sausages, eggs and toast. Meanwhile, our ship was approaching the Tasman Sea and the sea started to get quite rough. The vessel was sailing by the rules of this vast ocean - we could literally feel the boat being lifted, going up and then down at every oncoming wave. Then it dawned upon us that a vessel, no matter how big, is always at the mercy of the elements.
After spending a little time to take in the sea and the sights out in the Tasman Sea, we turned back towards Milford Sound, heading for the docking area. A couple more photo opportunities and then we were back at where we boarded the ship yesterday, signalling the end of the overnight cruise on the Milford Wanderer.
We stopped over at Te Anau for lunch en route to Queenstown. As we were not very hungry, we shared some light food - fish and chips, chicken nuggets and ice cream. Then, we proceeded with the rest of our journey to our destination.
Because we were going to Arrowtown, Real Journeys (the company with which we booked the overnight cruise) did not have any obligation to send us to our destination. They had indicated they would only drive customers to their destination if it was in Queenstown. Obviously on this occasion they had to stick to their plans, but guess what?
We were dropped off in Queenstown, but the coach driver arranged for a taxi transfer to our motel in Arrowtown. Remember taxi rides in NZ cost four times as much compared to SG. So we hopped on, wondering how much the 20 minute ride from Queenstown to Arrowtown would cost us. As it turned out, when we arrived at our motel, we were told that we didn't have to pay a cent because Real Journeys already paid for it. How wonderful.
And with that, I was back in Arrowtown after four long years. A town I liked very much when I visited it the last time I was in NZ. Obviously it's springtime and the town didn't look like it did in autumn but it was beautiful nevertheless. Colourful trees, rivers, hills, uniquely designed buildings, spring blossoms - Arrowtown never fails to delight.
Upon checking in to the Viking Lodge motel, we also rented a set of gold panning equipment. History has it that many gold miners flocked to Arrowtown in the 1800s to mine for gold in the Arrow River, and many present day visitors still try their luck at the river. Obviously gold wasn't going to be as loosely available as it was in 1862, but who ever knows...
So we brought our gold panning equipment to the Arrow River and did our thing. As it turned out, not only was there no gold, the water was freezing cold. Maybe we'll try out luck again in summer sometime in the future.
After failing to find gold in the Arrow River, we sauntered towards the town centre hoping to find gold pieces some careless tourist miner might have dropped along the way. No luck either!
Exhausted, jaded and discouraged after our futile efforts, we hoped to find some renewed energy and encouragement in dinner at a good makan place! After browsing the streets and taking pictures of the uniquely designed shops, we did settle at a cafe for a dinner of seafood basket with chips, squid rings and pork rib burgers.
Then, with whatever was left of that evening, we went for a stroll in the Arrowtown park, which must have been the best stroll I've had in years, walking in a cool and non-humid environment, or simply lying on one of the benches, staring at the sky, or take in the marvellous scenery nature has to offer.
When it started to get dark, we went back to our motel and played card games for the rest of the night, accompanied by great music on the radio. And times like these, are when you wish time would just stop.....
I was awoken by the sound of the engines, bright and early. We were going to cruise the full length of Milford Sound this morning out to the Tasman Sea and back.
Good morning Milford Sound!
It was another extremely cold morning, and the mist we exhaled when talking to each other confirmed my suspicions.
While cruising the Sound, the skipper drove the boat really close to the waterfalls so everybody could get some nice close up shots and an opportunity to get themselves wet if they wanted. There was water coming down from the waterfalls, splattering all over the deck, bouncing off the surface to whoever and whatever was there.
One of the 1000 (reportedly) waterfalls in the Milford Sound area
Breakfast was served shortly after and consisted of hash browns, bacon, sausages, eggs and toast. Meanwhile, our ship was approaching the Tasman Sea and the sea started to get quite rough. The vessel was sailing by the rules of this vast ocean - we could literally feel the boat being lifted, going up and then down at every oncoming wave. Then it dawned upon us that a vessel, no matter how big, is always at the mercy of the elements.
The dining area
The cabin
After spending a little time to take in the sea and the sights out in the Tasman Sea, we turned back towards Milford Sound, heading for the docking area. A couple more photo opportunities and then we were back at where we boarded the ship yesterday, signalling the end of the overnight cruise on the Milford Wanderer.
Flight option: $300 Photos: FREE
Next up, the return journey to Queenstown. Everyone had the option of taking a helicopter flight and landing on one of the snow capped peaks at Milford Sound. But it was extremely costly, like $300 for just a 30 minute ride so we decided not to opt for that.
One last photo stop before we bid goodbye to the Fiordlands
We stopped over at Te Anau for lunch en route to Queenstown. As we were not very hungry, we shared some light food - fish and chips, chicken nuggets and ice cream. Then, we proceeded with the rest of our journey to our destination.
Back in Te Anau for lunch!
Because we were going to Arrowtown, Real Journeys (the company with which we booked the overnight cruise) did not have any obligation to send us to our destination. They had indicated they would only drive customers to their destination if it was in Queenstown. Obviously on this occasion they had to stick to their plans, but guess what?
We were dropped off in Queenstown, but the coach driver arranged for a taxi transfer to our motel in Arrowtown. Remember taxi rides in NZ cost four times as much compared to SG. So we hopped on, wondering how much the 20 minute ride from Queenstown to Arrowtown would cost us. As it turned out, when we arrived at our motel, we were told that we didn't have to pay a cent because Real Journeys already paid for it. How wonderful.
Back in Arrowtown!
And with that, I was back in Arrowtown after four long years. A town I liked very much when I visited it the last time I was in NZ. Obviously it's springtime and the town didn't look like it did in autumn but it was beautiful nevertheless. Colourful trees, rivers, hills, uniquely designed buildings, spring blossoms - Arrowtown never fails to delight.
Viking Lodge motel
We stayed in one of these double storey units
Upon checking in to the Viking Lodge motel, we also rented a set of gold panning equipment. History has it that many gold miners flocked to Arrowtown in the 1800s to mine for gold in the Arrow River, and many present day visitors still try their luck at the river. Obviously gold wasn't going to be as loosely available as it was in 1862, but who ever knows...
So we brought our gold panning equipment to the Arrow River and did our thing. As it turned out, not only was there no gold, the water was freezing cold. Maybe we'll try out luck again in summer sometime in the future.
After failing to find gold in the Arrow River, we sauntered towards the town centre hoping to find gold pieces some careless tourist miner might have dropped along the way. No luck either!
Arrowtown town centre
Arrowtown pharmacy
Lakes District Museum
Exhausted, jaded and discouraged after our futile efforts, we hoped to find some renewed energy and encouragement in dinner at a good makan place! After browsing the streets and taking pictures of the uniquely designed shops, we did settle at a cafe for a dinner of seafood basket with chips, squid rings and pork rib burgers.
"Hello family and friends, can I choose to remain here?"
People go horse riding, we choose sheep riding
Oops.. didn't know sheep riding was illegal!
Then, with whatever was left of that evening, we went for a stroll in the Arrowtown park, which must have been the best stroll I've had in years, walking in a cool and non-humid environment, or simply lying on one of the benches, staring at the sky, or take in the marvellous scenery nature has to offer.
Happy to be at the summit of... uhm a huge rock
When it started to get dark, we went back to our motel and played card games for the rest of the night, accompanied by great music on the radio. And times like these, are when you wish time would just stop.....
posted by dlauposer | 9:33 PM
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