We flew into Christchurch and picked up our Spaceships campervan. She was to be our wheels, meals and bed for 10 days of touring and she made it through it all without too much complaining.
We did a counterclockwise tour of the South Island, obviously missing large portions of it because there just wasn’t the time. Our first night we stayed in Christchurch to get acquainted with the van and stock up on supplies.
Day two, our first travel day, saw us leave Christchurch and land in Hokitika taking in Arthur’s Pass and the Hokitika Gorge among a few other roadside stops. The world’s only alpine parrot, the Kea, is known to frequent the Arthur’s Pass lookout so we were a little disappointed when there wasn’t one there to greet us. They are, however, an endangered species so we shouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t seen as often as they once were.
Day three was a short driving day since we were going to explore the Franz Josef Glacier and needed the time to hike around a bit.
We stayed in a small campground in the townsite of Fox Glacier for the night and just as we were getting ready for bed there was a loud thump on the roof of the van. Much to our delight, it was the clever Kea who promptly set about proving all the stories/warnings we had read about how destructive and curious they can be. It’s too dark to see but there is a plastic chair that once had a sign on it behind the bird. I’m not sure if the chair survived the attack, I forgot to check in the daylight.
Of course we had to laugh when we came across this candy. Luckily for us, our Kea friend didn’t go after poor Weetbix. I’m not sure insurance covers that.
Day four we visited the Fox Glacier. It was early in the morning which meant fewer people but also a direct hit of sun. Not so great for photos but the walk was interesting as most of the trail would have been covered by the glacier at various points in history.
We meandered our way on to Wanaka stopping to take in a couple of views. This one was of Lake Hawea.
On day five we stopped in quant little Arrowtown and the adrenaline rush that is Queenstown. A quick roadside stop for a view picture turned out to be the highest paved road in all of New Zealand. Which, not long after, came down in elevation rather quickly with a series of switchbacks.
Arrowtown was built in the 1860’s after discovering gold in the Arrow River. It retains more than 60 of the original buildings and if you can get there before the tour buses, it retains it’s quaint feel too.
How could you not find the amusement in this wallpaper?
Queenstown was the complete opposite to Arrowtown. It is known for excitement and everywhere you looked people were zipping around in jet boats, paragliding, gondola riding or waiting in a very long lineup for a burger . . . wait, that one might not be so much about adrenaline as it is about marketing.
Apparently Fergburger is the place to go when your craving strikes and you have two hours to wait.
After that it was on to Te Anau for a couple nights where we left Weetbix to rest for a day and headed off on a tour. To be continued . . .
Awesome adventuring….it’s Christmas day here – Happy Christmas!; I think your time zone means you are past it by a day. Hope your holiday continues to be all you wish and more, stay well and safe. Love AT/UJ