Cookie says...
Another day with lots of two things. For me it's driving and for Mim it's brown signs. Seriously, the woman is addicted! Anyway, after a walk to check out the glacier we exited Frans Josef and made good time throughout the day.
We managed to leave our accomm with a quarter of a tank of fuel and were worried about finding a town large enough with the petrol we needed. The positive thing was that it helped keep Mim's addiction in check and we made it to a major town with 22km's to spare.
The next challenge was to travel through Arthur's Pass without losing too much time to brown signs. We did stop a few times to keep Mim happy but a few of her ideas turned out to be duds (she'll deny this though). The Pass was pretty good, free of ice / snow issues and only a couple of slow vehicles to pass.
We checked in, had some Thai and if we weren't full already, we had dessert at another joint.
Julie says...
The statements to sum up the day;
1. Mikey's singing should be outlawed.
2. No Mim, not every brown sign is worth stopping for.
3. Really? A sock museum? Are kiwi's really that bored? and
4. NZ shall no longer be known as 'The Land of the Long White Cloud', and shall henceforth be known as 'The Land of the Giant Green Hedge'.
Mim says...
There's nothing wrong with being addicted to brown signs.
Mikey says...
Long day of passengering today. Made the drive easier for everyone by singing and telling cracker jokes. Mim and I were excited about visiting the sock museum at Hokitika even though Cookie and Julie were ... less than enthusiastic. However Cookie unknowingly parked right across from it! Woo hoo! So we went and had pizza and then went to the sock museum only to find out it was closed. Mim and I were understandably devastated, now I will never know the secret history to the sock.
Showing posts with label 2012 NZ South Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012 NZ South Island. Show all posts
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Day 7 - NZ
Cookie says...
We've discovered that the trip from QT to Frans Joseph was longer than we'd thought and it wasn't the earliest of starts due to light and ice concerns. They were probably a little unfounded and we made okay time. The road is generally pretty scenic with transitions from rugged ranges to farmland to rain forest encrusted with snow. Mikey managed to take a thousand photos and a few of them even captured some scenery.
The main stops we wanted to make were Blue Pools, which we found early on, and Fox Glacier later in the arvo. A few more stops here and then we'd made it to Frans Joseph.
We finally found something that Mim could do (clearly pregnancy doesn't agree with her in that it's too restrictive to her lifestyle!) and dunked ourselves in some hot pools.
Dinner was at another bar sponsored by Speights where we once again over ate. We've also found out that we can't watched the third Origin match at home and the bar was going to close before it finished. Fortunately we're recording it at home so hopefully we don't hear what the result is from others.
Julie says...
Hehehe, I had a little giggle to myself when Mim found out she wasn't allowed on a glacier. I know that sounds mean but if you'd heard her go on and on about her looking forward to it, you would've had a little sadistic giggle yourself! It's ok though, she found it slightly humourous and then went searching amongst her 50 million brochures to find other things she could do...
Mim says...
So annoying that they wouldn't let me climb on the glacier due to being pregnant!!
Mikey says...
Loved looking at all of the mountains as we drove to Franz Josef. So far have only tried slow motion movie caption of Cookie driving, it's like normal driving but SUPER SLOW MO! And don't tell Cookie and Julie the origin score! Pilty that means you!
We've discovered that the trip from QT to Frans Joseph was longer than we'd thought and it wasn't the earliest of starts due to light and ice concerns. They were probably a little unfounded and we made okay time. The road is generally pretty scenic with transitions from rugged ranges to farmland to rain forest encrusted with snow. Mikey managed to take a thousand photos and a few of them even captured some scenery.
The main stops we wanted to make were Blue Pools, which we found early on, and Fox Glacier later in the arvo. A few more stops here and then we'd made it to Frans Joseph.
We finally found something that Mim could do (clearly pregnancy doesn't agree with her in that it's too restrictive to her lifestyle!) and dunked ourselves in some hot pools.
Dinner was at another bar sponsored by Speights where we once again over ate. We've also found out that we can't watched the third Origin match at home and the bar was going to close before it finished. Fortunately we're recording it at home so hopefully we don't hear what the result is from others.
Julie says...
Hehehe, I had a little giggle to myself when Mim found out she wasn't allowed on a glacier. I know that sounds mean but if you'd heard her go on and on about her looking forward to it, you would've had a little sadistic giggle yourself! It's ok though, she found it slightly humourous and then went searching amongst her 50 million brochures to find other things she could do...
Mim says...
So annoying that they wouldn't let me climb on the glacier due to being pregnant!!
Mikey says...
Loved looking at all of the mountains as we drove to Franz Josef. So far have only tried slow motion movie caption of Cookie driving, it's like normal driving but SUPER SLOW MO! And don't tell Cookie and Julie the origin score! Pilty that means you!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Day 6 - L
Cookie says...
We pick up Mikey today which is good as Mim hasn't stopped counting down the number of sleeps until he arrives. Mim was pretty crook today so after heading to the pharmacy for her, we then went for a stroll around QT. Julz was chuffed that Frisbee Golf was setup in the gardens and is now obsessed with finding one in Brisbane.
I showed her where Fergburger is (it's a required pilgrimage) and next door they've opened the Fergbaker so I had to have a pie!
Wineries were next on the list however after wanting to check up on Mim, we only made it to Amisfield. Mim was a lot better, we read for a bit and then went and found Mikey at the airport.
Before dinner we ducked up the gondola to check out the view.
Dinner was at the Bunker on the recommendation from one of the girls from work and we were all wrapped with the setting and meal. After an awesome meal, it was time to sleep it off.
Julie says...
Go Frisbee golf! Too bad we didn't have a Frisbee - Cookie would've been embarrassed though when I whopped his butt at it. The pilgrimage to Fergburger.... it is a requirement of the visit to QT, and is definitely worth it. Not only are the burgers enormous, they are tasty as well. Noisy-pants Mikey finally arrived on the scene. I wonder what wildlife he will scare away tomorrow...
Mim says...
Bed all day (3 movies plus sleeping), picked up Mikey then gondola. Really delicious food.
Mikey says...
Finished work at 2am, got home, packed my bag, slept for 3 hours then to the airport! Bought a camera at Brissy airport and it's got a SUPER SLOW MOTION MOVIE setting. Hmmm what to video super slow mo...
We pick up Mikey today which is good as Mim hasn't stopped counting down the number of sleeps until he arrives. Mim was pretty crook today so after heading to the pharmacy for her, we then went for a stroll around QT. Julz was chuffed that Frisbee Golf was setup in the gardens and is now obsessed with finding one in Brisbane.
I showed her where Fergburger is (it's a required pilgrimage) and next door they've opened the Fergbaker so I had to have a pie!
Wineries were next on the list however after wanting to check up on Mim, we only made it to Amisfield. Mim was a lot better, we read for a bit and then went and found Mikey at the airport.
Before dinner we ducked up the gondola to check out the view.
Dinner was at the Bunker on the recommendation from one of the girls from work and we were all wrapped with the setting and meal. After an awesome meal, it was time to sleep it off.
Julie says...
Go Frisbee golf! Too bad we didn't have a Frisbee - Cookie would've been embarrassed though when I whopped his butt at it. The pilgrimage to Fergburger.... it is a requirement of the visit to QT, and is definitely worth it. Not only are the burgers enormous, they are tasty as well. Noisy-pants Mikey finally arrived on the scene. I wonder what wildlife he will scare away tomorrow...
Mim says...
Bed all day (3 movies plus sleeping), picked up Mikey then gondola. Really delicious food.
Mikey says...
Finished work at 2am, got home, packed my bag, slept for 3 hours then to the airport! Bought a camera at Brissy airport and it's got a SUPER SLOW MOTION MOVIE setting. Hmmm what to video super slow mo...
Monday, July 2, 2012
Day 5 - NZ
Cookie says...
Breaky was the fourth meal at Baileys and the place was getting a little tiring.
We made for Queenstown and saw our bus guide from yesterday plying his trade. The drive was another drive full of great scenery and fortunately there were no ice issues.
We didn't drive directly to QT as we headed to Wanaka via Cromwell. We stopped in at the Bungee jump bridge on the way and then invaded Puzzling World in the way into Wanaka.
Lunch was a must and after that we checked out the illusions section which was interesting. We had a bit of fun with the maze which introduced the third dimension. The A-A's would have like this place.
After driving over the Crown Range, we dropped into Arrowtown where we checked out the main street, Chinese Settlement and Mim managed to find the old Gaol. Back on the road, past Coronet Peak and the Shotover Jetboating spot and then into QT.
Our accom wasn't too far our of town so we walked in for dinner at Winnies. There was a bit of a wait but it was worth it. Mim wasn't feeling the best so we headed home.
Julie says...
Puzzling World is very cool. I'm just reinforcing that, so that Bec and Luke know the awesomeness they missed out on.
It was a little chilly in Arrowtown but the thermometer refused to go below zero (I had a bet with Mim about the temp). For years now Cookie has raved on about this place called Winnies, and homages to it exist all over our house. I never really knew what all the fuss was about.... now, I can - some of the best pizza ever.
Mim says...
I was the only one that completed the maze properly - found all four corners and then found the way out. I was paranoid about slipping on ice as we were checking out the rebuilt Chinese settlement at Arrowtown so of course I did slip over but thankfully didn't hurt myself.
Breaky was the fourth meal at Baileys and the place was getting a little tiring.
We made for Queenstown and saw our bus guide from yesterday plying his trade. The drive was another drive full of great scenery and fortunately there were no ice issues.
We didn't drive directly to QT as we headed to Wanaka via Cromwell. We stopped in at the Bungee jump bridge on the way and then invaded Puzzling World in the way into Wanaka.
Lunch was a must and after that we checked out the illusions section which was interesting. We had a bit of fun with the maze which introduced the third dimension. The A-A's would have like this place.
After driving over the Crown Range, we dropped into Arrowtown where we checked out the main street, Chinese Settlement and Mim managed to find the old Gaol. Back on the road, past Coronet Peak and the Shotover Jetboating spot and then into QT.
Our accom wasn't too far our of town so we walked in for dinner at Winnies. There was a bit of a wait but it was worth it. Mim wasn't feeling the best so we headed home.
Julie says...
Puzzling World is very cool. I'm just reinforcing that, so that Bec and Luke know the awesomeness they missed out on.
It was a little chilly in Arrowtown but the thermometer refused to go below zero (I had a bet with Mim about the temp). For years now Cookie has raved on about this place called Winnies, and homages to it exist all over our house. I never really knew what all the fuss was about.... now, I can - some of the best pizza ever.
Mim says...
I was the only one that completed the maze properly - found all four corners and then found the way out. I was paranoid about slipping on ice as we were checking out the rebuilt Chinese settlement at Arrowtown so of course I did slip over but thankfully didn't hurt myself.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Day 4 - NZ
Cookie says...
I liked today as there was no driving! After breaky we were picked up for the shortest pick-up ever, across the road! There we waited for a bus to take us to Milford Sound. The driver could talk under water but he was alright. Te Anau was under a blanket of fog but by the time we made it into the Fiordland region, it was clear skies.
On the boat we had lunch and cruised the sound for an hour or so. On the way back I snoozed (driving is clearly tiring regardless of whether I'm behind the wheel or not), we ate in at the hotel again and then hit the hay.
Julie says...
Today was pretty cruizy - just sittin on the bus and boat watching the scenary go past.
Mim says...
We saw wildlife - a brief glimpse of dolphins and a more sustained view of sea lions. Also got to meet a cheeky Kea (bird that's basically a fat parrot that likes to eat anything). Julie and I got to have a mini snow fight.
I liked today as there was no driving! After breaky we were picked up for the shortest pick-up ever, across the road! There we waited for a bus to take us to Milford Sound. The driver could talk under water but he was alright. Te Anau was under a blanket of fog but by the time we made it into the Fiordland region, it was clear skies.
On the boat we had lunch and cruised the sound for an hour or so. On the way back I snoozed (driving is clearly tiring regardless of whether I'm behind the wheel or not), we ate in at the hotel again and then hit the hay.
Julie says...
Today was pretty cruizy - just sittin on the bus and boat watching the scenary go past.
Mim says...
We saw wildlife - a brief glimpse of dolphins and a more sustained view of sea lions. Also got to meet a cheeky Kea (bird that's basically a fat parrot that likes to eat anything). Julie and I got to have a mini snow fight.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Day 3 - NZ
Cookie says...
This morning was colder than yesterday but it didn't stop us from checking out some markets at the train station. The markets weren't big but they had some good stuff. Afterwards we were on the road heading to Te Anau which is on the other side of the island.
Four hours, five towns and six million sheep later, we'd made our destination in time to book a glowworm tour and risk salmonella poisoning with a servo pie. The tour was good and Julz and I returned to the room while Mim went for a stroll to a wildlife park.
Julie says...
Today we went to the market where my fingers froze. I took a 'short' nap in the car, even though I'm the designated navigator, and helped Mim find a new word to describe the scenery ('pretty' just doesn't seem to cut it). I then contemplated how easy it would be to murder someone in a dark cave...
Mim says...
On the drive from Dunedin to Te Anau, my exclamations of the scenery evolved from pretty to, scenic to stunning to just WOW!
It really is a beautiful part of the country. Pity about the effect that the pie had on my digestive tract.
This morning was colder than yesterday but it didn't stop us from checking out some markets at the train station. The markets weren't big but they had some good stuff. Afterwards we were on the road heading to Te Anau which is on the other side of the island.
Four hours, five towns and six million sheep later, we'd made our destination in time to book a glowworm tour and risk salmonella poisoning with a servo pie. The tour was good and Julz and I returned to the room while Mim went for a stroll to a wildlife park.
Julie says...
Today we went to the market where my fingers froze. I took a 'short' nap in the car, even though I'm the designated navigator, and helped Mim find a new word to describe the scenery ('pretty' just doesn't seem to cut it). I then contemplated how easy it would be to murder someone in a dark cave...
Mim says...
On the drive from Dunedin to Te Anau, my exclamations of the scenery evolved from pretty to, scenic to stunning to just WOW!
It really is a beautiful part of the country. Pity about the effect that the pie had on my digestive tract.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Day 2 - NZ
Cookie says...
Kicked the day off by stepping out into the fridge called Dunedin which had a wind whipping though the place. The tourist information was the first port of call where we found a helpful guy who was genuinely afraid of Mim's tourist thesis. After answering all her questions, I caught a glimpse of him wiping his brow as we exited the building.
Baldwin Street was the first tourist sight to see which is the steepest street in the world where apparently residents are marooned during the winter months due to their street effectively turning into an Olympic ski jump ramp.
Dunedin has kept a proud heritage influence from Scotland (including the weather) and Dunedin is Gaelic for Edinburgh. They even have their own castle. After visiting Larnach Castle we drove around the Otago Peninsular before hitting Cadbury World where we saw the worlds largest chocolate fall which was followed by a brewery tour of Speights and dinner in their original Ale House.
Julie says...
Whenever I went looking for Mim, I found her at a tourist brochure stand collecting another five or so maps. If she makes it out of NZ without incuring more than a $50 excess baggage tax, I'll be surprised.
Mim says...
I swear the tourist guy was eying off my 35 page folder of things to do in Dunedin and I found out that it takes 24 hours to make a Jaffa.
Kicked the day off by stepping out into the fridge called Dunedin which had a wind whipping though the place. The tourist information was the first port of call where we found a helpful guy who was genuinely afraid of Mim's tourist thesis. After answering all her questions, I caught a glimpse of him wiping his brow as we exited the building.
Baldwin Street was the first tourist sight to see which is the steepest street in the world where apparently residents are marooned during the winter months due to their street effectively turning into an Olympic ski jump ramp.
Dunedin has kept a proud heritage influence from Scotland (including the weather) and Dunedin is Gaelic for Edinburgh. They even have their own castle. After visiting Larnach Castle we drove around the Otago Peninsular before hitting Cadbury World where we saw the worlds largest chocolate fall which was followed by a brewery tour of Speights and dinner in their original Ale House.
Julie says...
Whenever I went looking for Mim, I found her at a tourist brochure stand collecting another five or so maps. If she makes it out of NZ without incuring more than a $50 excess baggage tax, I'll be surprised.
Mim says...
I swear the tourist guy was eying off my 35 page folder of things to do in Dunedin and I found out that it takes 24 hours to make a Jaffa.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Day 1 - NZ
Cookie says...
Back into the swing of things and we're road tripping around the south island of En Zed with the Rodda's... well, She Who is Incubating is with us as the Keystone Cop has to work. Even though New Zealand is only three hours away, today was still written off as a travel day as we made our way to Dunedin via Auckland. The closest thing to a highlight was Mim managing to make a special kind of trifector while travelling with me. First it was after some grappa, then it was food poisoning and this time it's pregnancy related.
Julie says...
I've been through a a few airports over the years but none quite like Dunedin. It's literally a fenced off runway in the middle of a sheep paddock.
Mim says...
Pass the barf bag please...
Back into the swing of things and we're road tripping around the south island of En Zed with the Rodda's... well, She Who is Incubating is with us as the Keystone Cop has to work. Even though New Zealand is only three hours away, today was still written off as a travel day as we made our way to Dunedin via Auckland. The closest thing to a highlight was Mim managing to make a special kind of trifector while travelling with me. First it was after some grappa, then it was food poisoning and this time it's pregnancy related.
Julie says...
I've been through a a few airports over the years but none quite like Dunedin. It's literally a fenced off runway in the middle of a sheep paddock.
Mim says...
Pass the barf bag please...
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