Our second day in Queenstown began with breakfast at the previously mentioned, Halo restaurant. Tom had smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese, scrambled eggs, accompanied by salad. My usual is the "bacon" (English bacon) which is really ham...delicious, the broiled tomato and two poached eggs.
This large fern frond is found everywhere...in the jewelry, cut glass, blown glass, sculpture such as this one, carvings....on signs....I finally asked the significance. Ferns are very prevalent in NZ, and the curled, white, new ones indicate new beginnings, new growth....
We are beginning another walk....this time sticking close to the water and going the opposite direction which appears to be shorter and flatter. This is a view of Queenstown from across the bay.
Our journey begins at the water's edge of the Queenstown Gardens, which our hotel borders....we have not been there yet; perhaps on our return.
These are for you, David. How in the world does one play disc golf IN THE WOODS? Lots of people were, but we didn't see anyone get it in the hole!
Two of the many lovely homes along the water's edge.
And the water's edge itself....water is as clear as tap water.
The first touch of autumn color....People are talking about the weather....how beautiful it has been. Last fall it rained every day.....this year, it is drought conditions. Some places are rationing water....Tom and I have been so very lucky to have no rain, no cold....every day has been 70's during the day with brilliant sunshine and 50's in the evenings. There is rarely air conditioning, so our room has often been quite hot upon check in....when we return after dinner, it is quite comfortable, even chilly by morning.
Upon seeing the guidepost, we get all excited. The Kawarau Falls Bridge we passed coming in to Queenstown for the first time. We had to look backward to catch a glimpse of the bungy jumpers....the Kawarau bridge is the birthplace of bungy jumping....let's go watch!!! As you note, 5.5 km is the distance....that is 3.3 miles....that would be 6.6 roundtrip. We have already gone 2 miles. Are you following the math here??? That would make a roundtrip walk of nearly 11 miles (not a tramp, mind you...too well marked). We are psyched to watch the jumpers and decide to go for it.
More beautiful and more beautiful scenery....but we have no water (didn't plan on this) and there is NOTHING on the way....
This is the bridge, but it is the WRONG!!!!! bridge....it is the Kawarau RIVER bridge, not the Falls bridge....and the RIVER bridge is yet another 5.5 km. Forget it! Talk about disappointed....and the same route back....yuk!!! sure won't be as pretty on the return....tired, hungry, very thirsty....yuk!
We found this lovely, little cafe on the way back, the Boat Shed Cafe, right on the water.....like finding water in the middle of a desert! Don't bother to ask how we missed it on the up....we don't know.
Found inside the Boat Shed
Finally make it back to Queenstown....what a welcome sight. Decide to go back to our room by way of the Gardens....(which was really a shortcut)
Every town, large and small, has a bowling club....this one is particularly attractive....the players are enjoying as they play....looks like fun...
Tom is still standing, still smiling, after 7.5 hour "walk" and the Gardens.
Day is done, gone the sun. A shower and off to meet Steph, Alistair and Buster from Lake Tekapo Lodge. They had come to Queenstown for a holiday of their own....nice to share social time with them!
