Today we are off to Queenstown, driving there over the Crown Range and then back via Gibbston Valley (wine territory) and the Kawarau gorge. The weather was quite good but clouds lurked over the mountains and some rain is forecast later.
Queenstown is incredibly busy and we were amazed to discover that no parking spaces were available anywhere in the town. We had to drive out on the Glenorchy road before finding somewhere to park about 3/4 mile outside the town. Last time we visited, the town was busy with gap year kids but this time the tourists seemed older, more affluent and largely Chinese (this time there are very few Brits in town)! The affluence of the town is reflected in a new Louis Vuitton shop near the lake front, which is not what I would have expected of Queenstown. There has clearly been a property boom and those who bought about 5 years ago have probably doubled their investment.
The management committee has agreed that Queenstown would be a good place to stay for our final night in NZ before catching the flight from Queenstown to Auckland en route to London. We noticed a Novotel in a good central position (with car parking) and enquired about availability. We were informed that since it is the Chinese New Year that weekend, the hotel was only taking bookings for a minimum of two nights!! We declined their offer and left.
We walked around the lovely botanic gardens and back along the waterfront. It really is one of the most lovely settings you could imagine and even with the changes, it is still a great place to visit.
Out plan was to stop at Gibbston Valley vineyard and have a late lunch before returning to Wanaka. We were not disappointed and had a lovely meal in their courtyard which was sunny but very blustery. We are fans go their Pinot Gris and a glass each was just the thing to accompany the meal.
Ray has a Skype call with Catalysts this evening so will try to keep away until 23:00; I don't think the LLW has plans to
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