Relocation
In case you didn't yet know, I decided to relocate my blog some 5 months ago.
My new blog can be found at http://thedarrensay.blogspot.com
Please click on the link above to be automatically directed there.
See you there soon!
Me. My thoughts. And they won't kill.
Swinging around in an old town's playground
Feels like being at the top of the world?
Arrow River
Settlers used to mine for gold here
There was a problem, however. Our plan for that afternoon was to join the cruise on the TSS Earnslaw plus the Walter Peak farm tour at 12 noon. Usually the check in time for motels is at 2pm, so the thought of dragging our luggage along onboard the ship appeared both impractical and impossible.
Our motel unit in Arrowtown
The garden area
Sure wish I owned this house!
So, our cabbie suggested that we drop by Sherwood Manor, the hotel we would be staying in, on our way to Steamer Wharf (the pick up location for the cruise) to ask if we could leave our luggage with them. To our delight, when we got there, the receptionist indicated that our room was ready for occupancy anyway so we could leave our luggage in it.
Then, we were off to Steamer Wharf for the TSS Earnslaw cruise. The TSS Earnslaw is a steamship which operates on coal, and it was going to transport us across Lake Wakatipu to our destination at Walter Peak high country farm.
The vessel being loaded with coal
After receiving a journey's supply of coal, the ship set sail, or rather, "set steam" at noontime for the 30 minute journey to Walter Peak. Food was available onboard but we did not order any as we were going to have our lunch at Walter Peak itself. So our time onboard was spent exploring every crook and corner of the ship, exaggeratedly speaking. And also relishing the sights of the scenic Lake Wakatipu accompanied by the stunning backdrop of the Remarkables mountain ranges.
Bye Queenstown!
For we must be on our way to Walter Peak
Upon arrival at Walter Peak, we indulged in our BBQ buffet lunch, which consisted of barbecued chicken drumsticks, beef sausages, lamb chops, grilled fish, pork ribs, salad and fruits. Lunch was at an open dining area by Lake Wakatipu. It was wonderful because there was scenery to enjoy and fresh air to breathe along with lunch. Although it was cold, we'd agree that it was a worthwhile experience.
I should be ashamed to say this, but lunch was so good and we so engrossed with it that we were still eating when the farm personnel beckoned everyone to join him for the farm tour.
In the farm tour, which wasn't really a tour actually, we experienced a sheep performance and sheep shearing. We had the chance to hand feed the sheep, but they defecated all over the place after eating. That was pretty grotesque - some unsuspecting tourists even stepped on you know what... eeeeewwwwww!
Yes there were plenty of these in NZ
The sheep had this uncanny behaviour of moving around together, and not just together as you will see in the pictures, but very closely together even when they are dashing from place to place, led by the sheep dog. I really wonder how they were able to run so fast so closely together without tripping over one another - if they were humans we'd possibly have a stampede.
See how they run together
So close together
Besides seeing how a sheep got laid bare in the sheep shearing performance, we were also shown a demonstration on how wool is woven. Takes a lot of time and patience, I'd say. I wouldn't be able to imagine myself sitting there all day trying to make something out of the wool; I'd probably go mad.
The sheep shearing performance
That's a lot of wool!
Reminds me of Grandma & her sewing machine!
After the farm tour, we took the TSS Earnslaw back to Queenstown. Since it was pretty early when we got back to Queenstown, we decided to do some shopping. My parents had been trying to find high quality honey since day 1, but the UMF20+ ones didn't come cheap and cost 50 bucks per bottle. I don't know what UMF is exactly, but supposedly the higher the figure is, the more active ingredients there are in it.
And one last shot before we leave Walter Peak
While we were shopping, however, we chanced upon a shop which was selling these quality honey at a sale price of $33 per bottle. As you'd expect, my parents bought a couple without any hesitation. As for myself, I bought two T-shirts. I was also looking out for a suitable wallet and keychain for I couldn't find any design I liked so the tees were all I bought.
In the evening, after 3 hours of shopping, we decided to have KFC for dinner. I know its weird, going overseas and eating something readily available in Singapore. But it's cheaper, and I thought the chicken was juicier and definitely a lot bigger compated to Singapore.
With that, it marked the end of yet another day. Our New Zealand holiday was fast drawing to a close. Four more days and we would be back in Singapore - the prospect was unthinkable but surely unavoidable...
One of the 1000 (reportedly) waterfalls in the Milford Sound area
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
Viking Lodge motel
We stayed in one of these double storey units
Arrowtown town centre
Arrowtown pharmacy
Lakes District Museum
"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!
Happy to be at the summit of... uhm a huge rock