The weather was beautiful as we awoke and watched the sun rise about the mountains surrounding Cromwell. Time to repack the bags and check the camper van before driving the relatively short distance to Queenstown via the Kawarau Gorge (bungee jumping capital of the world) and the lovely vineyards of Gibbston Valley. We arrived well ahead of time and decided to head to the Boat Shed for a coffee and cake. The Boat Shed is a delightful cafe/restaurant on the Frankton arm of Lake Wakatipo and only a mile or so from Queenstown airport. We have been here before and as you can see on a day such as this it is a delightful spot.
On then to the Maui depot at Queenstown airport and contrary to our recent experience with Maui service the two people we dealt with here were charming and very helpful. Rosemary stayed and sorted out the return paperwork whilst Ray used the Maui shuttle to travel to the terminal building and pick up the Budget rental car (a Toyota Corolla for those who need to now these things). All very smooth and off we sped towards Wanaka, although the LLW insisted upon a detour to visit Lake Hayes but without the SatNav, we needed to rely on the WWN and navigation was slightly challenging!
Lake Hayes was very lovely and lots of people were enjoying the sunshine at the lakeshore. However, time to tackle the Crown Range and the very steep climb with multiple hairpins out of Queenstown. Fantastic views back to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu but total concentration on the road was needed. After about an hour we descended in to Wanaka and found our home for the next two weeks, Edgewater Resort, which, as it says on the tin, is on the very edge of Lake Wanaka about a mile from the town centre.
We were a bit concerned to discover that our apartment was not yet ready but Ray was pacified when two glasses of centre Otago Pinot Gris were provided "on the house". We enjoyed a light lunch at the lovely restaurant and shortly afterwards unpacked in our apartment, which as you can see from these photos taken from our balcony, has great views over the lake.
A short rest and then we headed off to New World to replenish our stores and in particular to purchase the food for tomorrow evening when we are hosting David, Jess and Isla Dixon. The LLW seemed to buy half the store and a new food mortgage was required. New World, Wanaka is particularly upmarket and the deli counter is fantastic, probably bettering or at least matching Waitrose in wealthy London areas.
The cooking facilities in our apartment are slightly limited but as usual the LLW produced a masterpiece, in this case a chicken liver salad which is a favourite of mine.
The sun is now setting over Lake Wanaka and it is magical.
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